Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Northern Illinois
Chippewas Defeat NIU, 70-62, on Senior Night
2/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 26, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University seniors Desiree Eidson and Laurie Henderson must want to play another game in Rose Arena next week.
The two seniors led the Chippewas to a 70-62 victory over Northern Illinois on Wednesday night, keeping alive the possibility that CMU could host a MAC tournament first-round game.
Eidson scored a team-high 18 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assist, and tallied five steals in the final regular season home game. The Chippewas now must win at Western Michigan and Toledo, and get help, in order to host a game.
Henderson contributed 13 points, two assists, and a pair of steals in her Rose Arena finale.
CMU shot a season-high 56 percent from the floor, including a 60 percent mark in the first half that helped the Chippewas lead the entire opening frame and hold a 30-26 advantage at the break.
The Huskies opened the second half on a 10-2 scoring spree that was led by Joi Scott and Jennifer Youngblood who each had four points over the stretch. NIU's slim lead would last just four minutes as CMU took the game back for good on a three-pointer by Lindsay Mecoli with 13:26 left.
The Chippewas pushed the lead to as many as 11 on two occasions and CMU went 9-for-10 from the foul line in the closing 5:14 to capture the victory.
NIU was led by Youngblood's double-double of 18 points and 11 boards and Scott added 18 points and three assists.
Mecoli hit five three-pointers in the game en route to 17 points. She now has 39 three-pointers this year which ties for seventh on the Chippewas' single season chart. Raina Harmon added 11 points off the bench, many of them coming off her four offensive rebounds.
The Chippewas finished the game shooting 50 percent from behind the arc (7-for-14) and they forced 20 Huskie turnovers.
CMU heads to Western Michigan this Saturday for a showdown with the rival Broncos. Tipoff in Kalamazoo is set for 2 p.m.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
