Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Claim Aces Classic Title With 96-83 Victory
12/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score
EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Senior Shonda Long hit five three-pointers and put together her 11th career game of at least 20 points to pace Central Michigan in an 96-83 victory over host Evansville, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the Aces Classic.
Long paced the Chippewas (6-2) with a season-high 27 points, including key free throws down the stretch to hold off the charging Aces (4-3).
EU led by three 4:30 in, but CMU blew the game open with a 20-3 run over the next six minutes and never relinquished the lead, including a 49-39 edge at halftime.
"I thought we played really well in spurts today, but there were also times where we had to overcome some adversity," head coach Sue Guevara said. "Our bench did some damage and we were able to hit big free throws down the stretch."
The Chippewas used a 54-34 edge in the paint, a 44-33 edge on the glass and 26 second-chance points to keep the Aces out of reach.
Senior Kaihla Szunko, who also earned all-tournament honors, went 12-for-15 in the contest despite being limited by foul trouble in the first half. She poured in 24 points, snared nine boards and added a pair of blocks and steals. Freshman Taylor Johnson added her third-career double-double off the bench, scoring 15 and reigning in 10 boards. Niki DiGuilio (11 points) and Brandie Baker (10) gave the Maroon and Gold five players in double-figures.
Stephanie Bamberger paced three Aces in double-figures with 17 points.
Central Michigan shot 50 percent in the contest, including 60 percent in the second half, and connected at 32 percent from long range (7-for-22). Evansville finished at 48 percent from the field and 50 percent from the arc (9-for-18).
The tournament title is the second of the season for CMU, who equals its best start under Guevara. The Chippewas wrap up their season-opening and program-record nine-game road trip against Northwestern on Dec. 11.
