Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
DeKALB, Ill. – Sometimes, the hole is too deep.
Central Michigan nearly overcame a 17-point deficit on Saturday before bowing to Northern Illinois, 87-83, in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game at the Huskies’ Convocation Center.
The Chippewas slipped to 10-5, 0-2 MAC. NIU is 9-6, 1-1.
CMU trailed, 77-60, with under three minutes remaining then made a mad dash to draw within three, 86-83, on a Braylon Rayson 3-pointer with 5 seconds to play, but the Huskies managed to hold on.
“You never feel good coming off of a loss, but how you’re able to respond when nothing seems to be going right … early in the season that could have meant a 20-point loss,” CMU coach Keno Davis said.