Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
IPFW
Defense Leads Women's Basketball Past IPFW, 69-61
11/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT - A suffocating defensive effort during a 5:38 span in the first half gave the Central Michigan University women's basketball team an early advantage over IPFW at home on Saturday afternoon and it never looked back, tallying a 69-61 victory.
The Chippewas move to 3-0 for the first time since 1997 with IPFW falling to 0-2.
After the Mastodons had taken an early 5-4 lead, CMU went on an 11-0 run during a span of 5:38. CMU's defense led the way as it forced 11 turnovers during the run including a stretch were the Chippewas forced IPFW to turn the ball over on eight-straight possessions. The Maroon and Gold tallied nine steals during the run.
A three-pointer by IPFW's Hilary O'Connell broke the Chippewas run, but CMU didn't miss a beat as it put together a 14-2 run over the next four minutes for a commanding 29-10 lead. The Chippewas controlled the contest the rest of the way, holding a double-digit advantage until the final minute of the game when IPFW went on an 8-0 run to wrap up the scoring.
Chasidy Myers led CMU for the second-straight game with 13 points, going 5-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-3 at the free throw line. Starters Sharonda Hurd, Ann Skufca and Erin Kuhl all finished with 11 points. Skufca tallied a team-high eight rebounds with Hurd and Myers grabbing seven boards. Kuhl had a team-high three assists and three steals.
Johnna Lewis-Carlisle had a game-high 18 points for IPFW with Ashley Johnson tallying 10 more. Juliane Hohne grabbed a game-high 10 boards for the Mastodons.
The Chippewas held a slight advantage in field goal percentage, .436-410, with both squads going 5-for-12 from three-point range. CMU also recorded more rebounds (37-36), steals (15-7) and blocks (3-0) while committing fewer turnovers (18-17).
In-state rival Michigan is next up for CMU as it travels to Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Nov. 30, to face the Wolverines. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Comcast Local.
