Recap: Central Mich vs. Niagara

Mount Pleasant, MI (Sports Network) - Kyle Randall scored a career-high 24 points as the Central Michigan Chippewas held off a late push by the Niagara Purple Eagles to win, 66-64, in non-conference action at McGuirk Arena.

Randall shot 7-of-12 from the field and 8-of-9 from the foul line for CMU (3-3), while John Simons added 12 points and Chris Fowler chipped in 11 points.

For Niagara (2-4), Antoine Mason matched Randall with 24 points. Juan'ya Green scored 12 points, and T.J. Cline logged nine points and 11 rebounds from off the bench.

CMU shot 48 percent from the field in the first half to get out to a comfortable 35-23 lead at intermission. Niagara made just 36 percent of its field goal attempts in the opening frame, including 0-of-6 from three-point range.

The Chippewas extended their lead to 45-30 at the 14:14 mark of the second quarter, but the Eagles got back in the game with a 28-8 run to take a 58-53 lead with just under five minutes to play. After CMU tied the game at 60-60 on a pair of Simons free throws at the 3:01 mark, it regained the lead, 64-60, after Fowler and Randall each drilled a pair of free throws. Green made a three-pointer with three seconds left to bring Niagara to within one, 65-64, but Randall hit one more free throw on the other end and the Eagles were left with no time left to put up a final shot.

CMU was able to overcome a game-high 18 turnovers by going 19-of-24 from the foul line.