Jordan Bitzer had 18 points and seven rebounds as Central Michigan claimed a second straight Mid-American Conference West Division title after a 56-55 victory against Eastern Michigan on Thursday night.
Robbie Harman added 14 points for the Chippewas (15-14, 9-7 MAC), who won the title outright with Ball State's loss at Western Michigan on Thursday. Central Michigan receives the No. 2 seed and first-round bye in the MAC tournament, which begins on Sunday.
Carlos Medlock scored 27 points for Eastern Michigan (16-14, 8-8), and Justin Dobbins added 15. Dobbins had nine rebounds.
Harman tied the score a 55-55 on a 3-pointer with 1:17 remaining, and Jalin Thomas added a free throw with 44 seconds left. The Eagles had chances down the stretch, but Brandon Bowrey missed two free throws with 18 seconds left, and Medlock lost the ball out of bounds on a drive with four seconds to go.
