Central Michigan University Athletics
Game Notes: Chippewas Square Off With Shockers
12/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Central Michigan (7-3) vs. Wichita State (6-4)
COVERAGE
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STORYLINES
...Kaihla Szunko has registered a double-double in eight of CMU's 10 games this season. She ranks second in the nation and second in career double-doubles among active players in the MAC with 31.
...Kaihla Szunko put together the second triple-double of CMU's season with 21 points, 16 rebounds and a single-game record 10 steals against Ole Miss. It gave the Chippewas two triple-doubles in the season's opening 10 games after entering the year with none in its first 41 seasons.
...The Chippewas are off to their best 10-game start under head coach Sue Guevara and the best since 2005-06, when CMU started 9-1. Its just the third time Central Michigan has won at least seven of its first 10 games since 1991-92 (2001-02 being the third).
...CMU boasts the top two scoring freshmen in the Mid-American Conference in Niki DiGuilio (10.8) and Taylor Johnson (10.5 ppg). Johnson is also the top rebounding freshman in the MAC (7.4/game).
...CMU looks to stay undefeated at McGuirk Arena after picking up the first win by a Central Michigan team in the grand opening on Dec. 18 against Ole Miss.
...Kaihla Szunko needs just 21 points to become the 20th member of the 1,000 career points club at Central Michigan. She would join teammate Shonda Long, who reached the hallowed mark earlier this season on November 21.
| PROJECTED STARTERS | |||||||
| | Name | Ht. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | Other | Notes |
| (1) G | Brandie Baker | 6-0 | So. | 12.3 | 7.1 | 5.4 APG | Tied for the team lead in blocks (10) |
| (2) G | Shonda Long | 5-9 | Sr. | 17.7 | 3.5 | 3.1 3PG | Scored 16 points in the second half vs. Ole Miss |
| (3) G | Niki DiGuilio | 5-8 | Fr. | 10.8 | 3.4 | 2.2 3PG | Mid-American Conference's leading freshman scorer |
| (4) F | Skylar Miller | 5-10 | Jr. | 6.4 | 4.3 | 1.7 SPG | Three double-figure scoring efforts in 2010-11 |
| (5) F | Kaihla Szunko | 6-1 | Sr. | 16.9 | 12.1 | 3.6 SPG | Had a triple-double vs. Ole Miss |
GAME NOTES
Scouting the Opponents -- Wichita State was picked fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, ahead of previous MVC opponents on CMU’s schedule in Drake (No. 7) and Evansville (No. 10). Today’s game is WSU’s final nonconference tilt of 2010-11, and the Shockers have won three of their last five contests.
An Issue of Pace -- The Chippewas high-speed attack plays at an average pace of 80 possessions per contest. Their speed of play often distorts traditional statistical measurements. Wichita State enters today at a pace of 70 possessions per contest. In a game with 80 possessions each, CMU averages 88.4 points for, 73.3 against, while Wichita State averages 76.0 points for, 67.0 against
Double Triple-Double Trouble -- Sophomore Brandie Baker became the first player in Central Michigan history, male or female, to register a triple-double. It took just nine games for Kaihla Szunko to join the elite group with a triple-double against Ole Miss on Dec. 18. There had been only one triple-double by an opponent in CMU history -- by Larry Bird on Dec. 5, 1977. Baker finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and a program record 12 assists, Szunko had a line of 21 points, 16 rebounds and a program record 10 steals. They are the only two teammates in the nation to record a Triple-Double this season.
JO Picking it Up -- Jalisa Olive has scored in double-figures in four of CMU’s last five contests, including two 17 point efforts -- against Binghamton and Ole Miss. She is 22-for-49 from the floor in that span, including 12-for-24 from three, with 10 steals and 14 assists.
1,000 Point Club -- Senior Shonda Long has already joined CMU’s 1,000 point club as the 19th player in school history to crack the milestone and Kaihla Szunko is closing in on the mark as well. Szunko sits just 21 points shy of 1,000. [Program Record Book]
Szunko Makes it 5-for-6 -- Kaihla Szunko was named MAC West Player of the Week for the second time this season on Monday, giving CMU five of the six awards this season. [Release]
