MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan shot 62.7 percent (37-of-59) from the floor as the Chippewas topped the Northern Illinois University men's basketball team, 88-46, on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 14) at McGuirk Arena. 

Makhai Valentine (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley) led NIU with 13 points, Gianni Cobb (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and Taj Walters (Bronx, N.Y./Moravian Prep) each added 10 points for the Huskies. 

Central Michigan (8-17, 4-8 MAC) raced out to a quick 10-2 lead a little over two minutes into the contest, forcing a quick Huskie timeout. 

The Chippewa lead grew to 14-2 before Hassan 'Tre' Washington (Providence, R.I./Prise Academy) scored off an offensive rebound and Valentine knocked in a corner triple to trim the CMU lead to 14-7. The hosts answered with the next seven as the Central Michigan lead ballooned to 21-7 with 13:23 left in the opening half. 

Five-straight points from the Huskies were followed by a 12-0 Central Michigan run as the Chippewas took a 33-12 lead with a little over seven minutes to play in the half. 

Central Michigan took a 51-22 lead into the intermission as the Chippewas shot 78.6 percent (22-of-28) from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Jaxson Whitaker had 14 points for CMU while Keenan Garner added 12. Valentine had 11 first half points to lead the way for the Huskies. 

The Chippewa offense slowed in the second half but Central Michigan still shot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) in the second 20 minutes. 

NIU (8-16, 3-9 MAC) was held to just 27.3 percent (15-of-55) shooting in the contest, including 20 percent (4-of-20) in the second half. 

Whitaker finished with a game-high 19 points for the Chippewas, Nathan Claerbaut added 16 points, Garner finished with a double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds while Phat Phat Brooks added 10 points. 

NIU will be back on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Buffalo before the Huskies return home next Saturday, Feb. 21, when they host Ohio.