Big Green Falter in Final Game at Great Alaska Shootout

Saturday, November 26

Anchorage, Alaska

6:30 PM

Dartmouth College

2-4

Central Michigan

4-2

Dartmouth

Central Michigan

Big Green Falter in Final Game at Great Alaska Shootout

11/26/2011 9:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Dartmouth

UPDATE: Senior David Rufful was selected for the Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team after averaging 17.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in the three games — leading the Big Green in scoring in each contest — while shooting 57.6 percent (19-of-33) from the floor and 66.7 percent (10-of-15) from three-point range. That three-point percentage ranks eighth all-time in the tournament's history, dating back to 1978.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Trey Zeigler recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Central Michigan past the Dartmouth men's basketball team in the consolation finals of the Great Alaska Shootout on Saturday afternoon, 65-48. The victory for the Chippewas (4-2) lift them into fourth place for the tournament, while Dartmouth (2-4), led by senior David Rufful's 15 points, settles for sixth.

Although Rufful hit 6-of-12 from the floor with a pair of three-pointers to make up most of his 15 points, the CMU defense smothered the Big Green into shooting 30.8 percent (16-of-52) overall and 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from downtown. Joining Rufful in double figures was freshman John Golden with a season-high 13 points with a trio of three-pointers.

Central Michigan managed to shoot an even 40 percent from the floor as a team (22-of-55) with Zeigler knocking down 8-of-14. Three other Chippewas had at least 10 points — Derek Jackson (11), Olivier Mbaigoto (10) and Austin McBroom (10).

CMU never trailed in the game, building up most of its lead in the first half, including the first eight points. Junior R.J. Griffin ended the scoreless drought for Dartmouth with a driving layup, followed by another layup by freshman Gabas Maldunas. But another eight-point Chippewa run, capped by a McBroom three, led to the first double-digit lead at 16-4.

Rufful responded with the first of his triples, and the two sides traded trifectas again to make it a 19-10 ball game. Following a Mbaigoto jumper, sophomore Tyler Melville converted a three-point play, cutting the deficit to eight at 21-13. Zeigler scored the next seven points, and eventually the Chippewas took that 15-point lead into the locker room at 32-17. No Big Green player had more than three points in the lowest scoring half for Dartmouth this season.

For nearly the first eight minutes of the second half, Rufful provided most of the Big Green offense with nine of the 10 points as Dartmouth chipped away at the deficit. When Golden got into the act with a three-pointer, the Green got the difference into single digits at 41-32.

A layup by Finis Craddock was answered by another Golden triple, and when Maldunas hit a hook shot in the lane, Dartmouth was suddenly down just six with 10 minutes remaining. The Big Green had a chance to get even closer, but a turnover led to a Zeigler bucket at the other end. Maldunas hit 1-of-2 at the line, but when Zeigler scored in the lane, then converted two free throws to boost the lead back over 10, where it stayed for the final 7:54.

Central Michigan held the edge on the boards, 41-35, plus blocked eight shots and stole the ball eight times while committing just nine turnovers. Dartmouth coughed the ball up 13 times, but assisted on 13 of its 16 field goals.

Dartmouth returns to the lower 48 but will next play on the road at in-state rival New Hampshire on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. Central Michigan travels to Temple in one week to play the Owls on Dec. 3 at 4 p.m.