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Central Michigan Basketball: Marcus Keene explodes for 50 points

By Drew Dinnhaupt

Dec 18, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Keno Davis yells from the sidelines against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Keno Davis yells from the sidelines against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The nation’s leading scorer posted the first 50-point performance in college hoops since 2013 and led Central Michigan basketball to a 101-92 victory.

Central Michigan guard Marcus Keene is scoring at will. The junior exploded for 50 points in the Chippewas win against Miami (OH) on Saturday afternoon — oh, and he did it battling through an injury he suffered against Toledo just over a week ago.

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Keene hit 10 three pointers, tying a program record, and shot 65 percent from the field. He was a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. Central Michigan won, 101-92, in Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas scored 66 points in the second half alone and broke a double-digit first half deficit.

Central Michigan won, 101-92, in Mount Pleasant. The Chippewas scored 66 points in the second half alone and broke a double-digit first half deficit.

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Keene took over the game in dramatic fashion. In a span of less than six minutes, the guard was credited with 26 straight points for the Chippewas.

Keene’s performance is the best all year in terms of scoring, surpassing Malik Monk’s 47-point surge against North Carolina. This is the first 50-point performance since 2013 when South Dakota State’s Nate Wolters posted 53.

This marks Keene’s third 40 point outing, and his 11th performance of 30 points or more.

Keene continues to lead the struggling Chippewas, who lost four of their previous five heading into Saturday’s matchup.

Keene currently leads the NCAA in scoring, now averaging 28.7 points per contest. He holds a healthy lead on second place, with Valparaiso’s Alec Peters only averaging 23.9 points per game.

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Keene looks to be the first player to average 30 points per game since Charles Jones of Long Island in the 1996-97 season. Central Michigan, who improved to 12-7 overall, faces Bowling Green on Jan. 24.