Central Michigan University Athletics
Shooting Woes Hamstring Chippewas Against UAB
12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Three players scored in double figures, including a season-high 12 points from Laura Baker, but the Central Michigan women's basketball team connected at just 27 percent from the floor in a 70-59 loss to UAB in Bartow Arena on Monday.
Baker was a perfect 10-for-10 from the stripe and finished with nine rebounds in 19 minutes of action, but outside of Kaihla Szunko, who went 4-for-8 to finish with 10 points and nine boards, CMU struggled to find the bottom of the bucket.
"Laura came in and was able to grab some big rebounds for us and played solid defense," head coach Sue Guevara said. "We're just not very consistant right now."
The Chippewas held an 18-17 lead with 6:39 left in the opening half, but the Blazers closed the frame on a 15-4 run to take a 32-22 lead into the break.
"We missed a lot of layups in the first half and had a general lack of focus," Guevara said. "The Blazers were more physical than we were, they were more aggressive and they were hungrier."
CMU's offense would connect on just two field goals in the first nine minutes of the second half, but the game was still within reach at 42-32 with 10:38 remaining.
The lead was trimmed to eight after a pair of Baker free throws with 2:34 left, but that would be as close as the Maroon and Gold would get.
The Blazers shot 43 percent from the floor and 35 percent from long range (6-for-17), compared to the Chippewas 4-for-17 effort from distance (24 percent).
CMU did win the battle of the boards for the first time this season, 45-40, and the Chippewa reserves boasted an 18-6 edge, but it wasn't enough to overcome the tough shooting night. Blazer guard Jala Harris led all scorers with 20 points as four UAB starters finished in double figures and the starting unit combined for 64 points.
Kendra Holman also finished in double-figures for CMU with 12.
The Maroon and Gold return to action on Tuesday against Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Ala. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., CT.
