Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Kent State
Chippewa Women Pull Major Upset
1/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Would you believe Central Michigan University 65, Kent State University 58?
Well, that's exactly what happened here Tuesday night in overtime as the Chippewas of coach Eileen Kleinfelter pulled off the upset of the year in Mid-American Conference women's basketball action.
CMU entered the contest in last place in the MAC's West Division with a 1-5 conference mark while the Golden Flashes, preseason favorites to win the East and the MAC tourney, were atop the East at 5-1.
The Chippewa win, buoyed by 11 three-pointers, ended a four-game losing skid and moved to 8-10 for the season and 2-5 in conference play. Kent State falls to 10-8 overall and 5-2 in the league. KSU had won five straight.
It wasn't easy, as you might expect with an overtime win.
CMU led from the 12:07 mark of the first half until 10 seconds remaining in regulation when Valerie Zona nailed two free throws to tie it at 51-51 and force an extra sessions.
The Chippewas never trailed in overtime after Laurie Henderson drained three free throws for a 54-51 lead. CMU made only two baskets in overtime, a three-pointer by Lindsay Mecoli and a two-pointer by Lindy Hatfield, but it did convert all nine free throw attempts.
CMU held a seemingly safe 46-34 lead with 12:16 to play but managed just five points the rest of the way as the Golden Flashes outscored the Chippewas, 17-5, to force overtime.
Casey Manning and Mecoli, a pair of freshmen, paced the Chippewa attack with 16 and 15 points, respectively. The sophomore Hatfield added 12.
Katalin Kollat led Kent State with 16 and Jamie Rubis added 13.
CMU's three-point proficiency was the difference as the Chippewas nailed 11-of-26 to Kent State's two-of-12. The Golden Flashes held a 42-34 edge in rebounding behind Kollat's 12 and 10 by Rubis. Mecoli and Manning led CMU with nine and eight.
Neither team shot particularly well from the field. Kent hit 21-of-55 for 38.2 percent compared to CMU's 22-of-59 for 37.3 percent.
The Chippewas hit the road this Saturday for a game at Marshall. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.
