Central Michigan comes on late to top Texas Southern 79-71

Dec 12, 2015, 06:43 pm

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Braylon Rayson made 6 of 9 3-pointers and scored 22 points, Chris Fowler added 20, and Central Michigan rallied late for a 79-71 win over Texas Southern on Saturday.

Rayson's 3-pointer with 7:49 remaining gave Central Michigan (5-4) a 63-62 lead, and he hit another less than two minutes later to push the Chippewas lead to four.

Jerron Martin's layup on Texas Southern's next trip down brought the Tigers back within two, but Rayson assisted on a John Simons 3-pointer to give Central Michigan a 69-64 lead with 5:09 to play, and the Chippewas held the lead for good.

Derrick Griffin had 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds for Texas Southern (1-8), which has struggled after winning 11 straight to end last season and earning an NCAA tournament berth.

Central Michigan shot 28 of 50 from the field and 14 of 25 on 3-pointers, both 56 percent clips.