Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Pick Up OT Win Over Anchorage, 90-86
11/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Postgame Notes
ANCHORAGE - Five players scored in double figures as Central Michigan was able to come from behind and force its second overtime in as many days, this time pulling away for a 90-84 win over host Alaska-Anchorage in the third-place game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
Baskets on four consecutive possessions in overtime, including back-to-back three-pointers by Kerby Tamm, helped the Chippewas (1-4) jump out to six-point lead midway through the extra period. Free throws sealed the Chippewas' first win of the season as they hit 7-of-12 in the final two minutes and 5-of-6 in the final 37 seconds.
"This has been a really good tournament for our players," head coach Sue Guevara remarked. "We have faced some very, very good competition. Our freshmen have grown up and our team has come together here in Alaska. I am very happy with the effort we had yesterday and today."
The Chippewas were able to hang onto a one-point halftime lead, their first of the season, after leading by as many as nine. Jessica Green scored five straight points with about 10 minutes left in the half and Brandie Baker added a three-pointer from the left wing to cap an 8-0 run and put the Chippewas up, 24-18, with 8:43 on the clock.
The Seawolves (4-2) used the last six minutes of the half to chip away at Central's lead, outscoring the Chippewas, 17-9, despite having a slightly lower field goal percentage. They did most of their damage with the clock stopped, converting 10-of-14 free throw attempts compared to Central's 5-of-7.
Hitting just one of their nine three-point attempts in the first half, the Seawolves came out hot after halftime knocking down three of their first four attempts through the first 4:20 to build a 51-43 lead and force the Chippewas to call a timeout.
After a 12-2 run by the Seawolves, Central found itself down 12, 68-56, with 5:16 to play but the Chippewas responded with a 14-5 run of their own to come within three, 73-70, with :38 left. Baker hit an open three-pointer with 15.7 seconds remaining to tie the game.
UAA was able to get the ball across mid-court and call a timeout with 10 seconds remaining, but CMU's defense prevented the Seawolves from getting a clean look at the basket.
"(Jalisa) was out there (during our run) because of her defense," said Guevara. "We put the full press on with her up top and she was in on two quick turnovers that led to important baskets."
The Chippewas' bench averaged 19 minutes and contributed 33 points, led by Tamm's 12 points on 4-of-7 long-range shooting. Tamm also added five rebounds and four assists.
"I told our players yesterday our bench was going to be critical today and they produced. It was a total team effort against a very good Anchorage team," Guevara said.
Baker ended with a team-high 14 points and five assists while Jas'Mine Bracey narrowly missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. Bradford joined her with 13 points and tallied a team-best six assists, contributing to a 23-to-5 assist-to-turnover ratio, and Green added 11 points.
