Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Toledo
Toledo Rallies in Second Half for 60-53 Win
1/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University lost a 19-point first half lead in dropping its Mid-American Conference women's basketball opener here Wednesday night to the University of Toledo, 60-53.
The Chippewas fired a blistering 58.3 percent from the floor in the first half in claiming a 35-21 lead at the break. However, the Rockets were on fire in the second half, meshing 62.5 percent of their shots for the come-from-behind triumph.
The win upped Toledo's record to 5-7 for the season, 1-0 in MAC play while the Chippewas dropped to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in loop action.
CMU held a 31-12 lead with 3:08 to play in the first half on a three-pointer by Lindsay Mecoli. The Chippewa lead was still in double digits at 44-34 with 12:36 remaining when UT scored 14 straight points for a 48-44 lead with 7:04 to go.
CMU got it back to one at 48-47 on a three-pointer Lindy Hatfield but could get no closer.
The Chippewas made just 7-of-22 in the final half from the field for 31.8 percent to finish the game at 21-of-46 for 45.7 percent. UT shot 38.3 percent on 23-of-60.
Sophomores Casey Manning and Mecoli shared game-high honors for CMU with 14 points each, matching Karin Hoogendam's 14 for the Rockets.
Toledo held a 34-30 edge in rebounding despite seven caroms each for Chippewas' Ann Skufca and Manning. Twenty turnovers, 12 in the final half, also doomed the CMU cause.
The Chippewas return to action on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Eastern Michigan. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
