Recap: Central Mich vs. Bowling Green

Mount Pleasant, MI (Sports Network) - Behind a career-high 31 points from Kyle Randall, the Central Michigan Chippewas managed to hold off a late surge by the Bowling Green Falcons to win, 73-67, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams at McGuirk Arena.

Randall shot 8-of-11 from the field and a perfect 13-of-13 from the foul line for CMU (8-6, 1-0 MAC), which has won two of three. He also chipped in six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

For Bowling Green (5-9, 0-1), Jordan Crawford also tallied a career-high, shooting 11-of-20 from the field for 29 points. Anthony Henderson added 13 points for the visitors, while A'uston Calhoun recorded nine points and 14 rebounds.

CMU outshot Bowling Green from the field in the first half, 45.2 percent to 25 percent, and it went into intermission with a 37-20 lead.

The Chippewas extended their advantage to as many as 23 before the Falcons ripped off a 34-11 run to tie the game, 60-60, with 3:25 left to play. CMU responded immediately by scoring six straight points as it held on down the stretch.

The difference was made at the foul line, where CMU drained 24-of-29 attempts. Bowling Green shot 91.7 percent from the stripe, but it took just 12 free throws.