Keep in mind that leading up to Saturday's road trip to Akron, the Chippewas were one of three Division I teams (Auburn, Williams & Mary) to feature starters who all shoot 75 percent or better from the free throw line.
Central Michigan was also the top ranked program with an .810 free throw percentage, being the only team in the country to shoot above 80 percent. With all of that considered, it's peculiar to see that being the downfall in a loss.
Going 10-of-21 from the charity stripe, CMU never led in the second half at James A. Rhodes Arena, picking up its ninth straight loss to the Zips, a streak that dates back to the 2002-03 season.
"Those aren't good numbers to be able to win on the road, let alone at home," head coach Keno Davis said. "Had we shot normal from the line and 3-point area, it might have been a different game. But we can't talk about excuses."
Known as one of the better 3-point shooting teams nationally this year, the Chippewas missed 17 of their 22 total attempts from long distance, as Shawn Roundtree and Kevin McKay finished with a team-high 14 points.
Before the game, no two Division I teams have made more 3-pointers over the past three-plus years than Akron (1,329) and Central Michigan (1,282).
"Our guys are certainly disappointed in not being able to pick up the win," Davis said. "It's more important that we're able to turn the page around and get better, than it is so much feeling like we missed an opportunity."
Cecil Williams and Luke Meyer combined for 22 points as the latter went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Both Josh Kozinski and David DiLeo had a quiet outing, converting only four field goals between one another.
Kozinski needs seven triples to become Central Michigan basketball’s (men’s or women’s) career leader. Niki DiGuilio (2010-14) is the current record holder with 288.
Running out three bench players, just four Akron starters scored, including Eric Parrish and Daniel Utomi with 21 and 20 points, respectively. The Zips get their 11th win at home and Utomi continues his run as the MAC's top 3-pointer shooter with 68.
Akron shot 43.9 percent overall and 33.3 percent from long distance. This is a completely team from last year, who were last season’s runner up in the MAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, having won just four games in league play.
"We have to have the energy and legs to shoot the ball and play the way we want to," Davis said. "You have to be careful as a coach to make sure that you get some things accomplished but don't lose a game just because you're frustrated that you didn't win."
Central Michigan had a lead of six on two separate occasions in the first half, with the latest coming after the first of two made triples by Meyer, to make it 23-17 with 5:08 left.
Akron then went on a 14-4 run before the second half. It began with three consecutive 3-pointers, including two from Parrish. CMU scored 14 points in the paint coming out of the break.
Things got interested with 52 seconds remaining when DiLeo recorded a layup to make it a two-point difference. At one point at the 10:25 mark, the Chippewas trailed by one, the closest they came to getting the go-ahead lead.
After the bucket down low, Williams forced a turnover but missed the ensuing layup. McKay then fouled Parrish on the rebound and made two free throws to put the game away.
"We could have more stronger moves to the basket," Davis said. "In the first half, it wasn't necessarily going to help us, but in the second half, I felt like we had a chance to finish more."
