Rapid Reaction: Eastern Michigan 99, Central Michigan 80

Monica Bradburn |Assistant Photo Editor

Chris Fowler drives to the basket in a game against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016, at McGuirk Arena.

The Central Michigan men's basketball team's road to defend its Mid-American Conference West Division Championship got off to a rocky start.

Eastern Michigan shot 66 percent from the floor to down the Chippewas 99-80 in the MAC opener Wednesday at McGuirk Arena.

CMU now falls to 7-7 (0-1 in the MAC) after losing its first home game this season.

What happened:

CMU attacked the Eagles' full-court press and zone defense early with strong perimeter shooting. With the score tied at 10, redshirt sophomore Josh Kozinski came off the bench and scored…