| No rivalry in the Mid-American Conference exceeds the one between Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. It may be a cliche, but even in lean years a win over the Chippewas could make an entire season worthwhile. Former Huron captain Charles Sampier remembered the competition between the two old Normal schools was always intense. In a 1946 Christmas Tournament in Mt. Pleasant, for instance, Sampier said, "We won that tournament (edging CMU by one point) but their coach, Danny Rose, wouldn't even give up the trophy!" The competition reached a fever pitch in 1988 as the two schools opened their MAC schedule at Central. The Chippewas were defending league champs and expected to repeat. The Hurons were an unknown quantity, having beaten Big Ten foe Michigan State but suffering defeats to the likes of Chicago State and Valparaiso. The two teams featured deep, talented squads led by able coaches. Most of all, the game would showcase the league's two best players, Grant Long and Dan Majerle. Yet to be determined, however, was which star would enjoy stronger support from his teammates. Chippewas Tommie Johnson and Ed Wilcox could score: just days before, Johnson scorched Ohio State for 45 points and a month earlier Wilcox dropped 41 on Oakland University. Christmas break hadn't ended yet and a somewhat subdued crowd of 3,875 turned out to witness the battle. It didn't take much time to develop. Majerle sank a short jumper and soon the Chips were off and running. In a game that would be noted for its sudden momentum shifts, CMU went on a 14-5 tear that gave coach Charlie Coles a 22-12 advantage midway through the half. Eastern mentor Ben Braun would later call this "a big, significant game." At this point, though, he just wanted to prevent a rout. Braun called timeout to steady his troops. The Hurons began picking away at the lead. Long began to make his presence felt in the paint, scattering bodies at both ends. Sharpshooter Brad Soucie nailed the three-pointer just before halftime to cut Central's lead to two at the intermission, 38-36. Majerle got hot as the second half began. For the first eight minutes, the Chippewas retook control of the game. CMU guard Tommy Johnson consistently worked the ball inside the Majerle, who scored on a procession of baseline moves, short jumpers, and power drives. His layup with 12:15 remaining gave Central its biggest lead of the half, 52-45. Soucie responded with a long basket and the Hurons sprang to life. Long scored and then forward Isaac Henderson put on a short clinic with a pair of field goals that tied the game at 53. The Eastern rally didn't end there. Howard Chambers twice filled it up from the outside and Long returned to |
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| form in the paint, wreaking havoc with the increasingly-disheartened Chippewas. Deron Goheen capped the amazing comeback with a three-pointer. When the dust had cleared, EMU had outscored Central 18-3 and owned a 63-55 lead with time winding down. Central had one last burst left. When Sean Waters sank a triple, the Chips pulled to within 68-62 with 1:44 left. The Hurons then played keepaway with the basketball and the Chips were forced to foul. |
| Waters promptly found Lorenzo Neely, the only Huron starter who hadn't scored. The 5'11" freshman coolly stepped to the line and swished both charity tosses. Majerle came back and sank a desperation three-pointer with 30 seconds left. With the score now 70-65, Coles needed two more field goals. If only there was just a little more time... The clock stood still when Waters fouled Neely once again. But the rookie came through one more time, finishing off the former league champions with two more free throws. EMU had cleared its biggest hurdle in the very first game of the conference season, winning by the final score of 72-65. Majerle won his statistical battle with Long, but not by much. The big Chip scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Long finished with 22 points and nine boards. More importantly, however, was the revelation that Long could rely on his teammates to pick up where he left off...something Majerle wouldn't be able to always count on. The Hurons would prove the point again late in the season, in Ypsilanti. The first MAC game, though--the one in Mt. Pleasant--set the course for Long, Braun, and Company to enjoy the first truly successful NCAA Division I campaign in Huron Hardwood History. Return to Huron Hardwood History Dave's Attic |
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| Grant Long |
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| January 6, 1988 Mt. Pleasant, MI Eastern Michigan 72 Central Michigan 65 |