Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Broncos Buck Chippewas, 87-65
3/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 1, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan's potent offense broke out of its two-game slump as it tapped the Central Michigan University women's basketball team for 87 points en route to the 22-point victory.
The Broncos got wins in both meetings with the Chippewas this season after posting an 87-65 win here in Kalamazoo this afternoon.
The Chippewas fall to 11-15 for the season and are now 5-10 in the Mid-American Conference. Western ups its record to 15-11 and is 9-6 in the MAC.
The Maroon and Gold had no answers for the Broncos who scored at a 53.7 percent (29-for-54) clip and shot 10-for-16 (.625) from three-point range. CMU mustered a .342 (25-for-73) shooting percentage and were 5-for-20 (.250) from three-point range.
It was the potent play of WMU's back court that led the Broncos to an easy victory. Western's guards shot 8-of-14 (.571) from three-point range and scored 68 of the team's 87 points. The Broncos were led by sophomore Casey Rost and her game-high 21 points. Fellow guards Curleta Harris (19 points) and Maria Jilian (17) were unstoppable on offense as well. Forward Kristin Koetsier finished with 13 points.
It was the bench that paced the Chippewa offense. Lindy Hatfield and Casey Manning tied for a team-high 11 points. Raina Harmon had a career and game-high 12 rebounds.
CMU got the first bucket of the game but the home team rattled of six straight points as it took a lead that it would never surrender. Western was able to break it open at the 12:50 mark on back-to-back breakaway buckets, followed by a three-pointer by Curleta Harris. The Broncos were able to build a 10-point lead at that point. CMU cut the lead back down to five but Western Michigan built a 12-point, 37-25 lead at the break.
CMU's offense stalled in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Chippewas bagged two field goals during that stretch. That allowed the Broncos to go on a 24-5 surge and build a 33-point lead. CMU posted 14 points in the last four minutes and cut the lead to 22 but that was as close as the visitors would get.
The Chippewas return to the floor on Tuesday, March 1, when they play at Toledo for the regular season finale. Tipoff in Savage Hall is set for 7 p.m. MAC tournament play begins on Saturday, March 4. CMU's opponent, site, and time has yet to be determined.
