Central Michigan University Athletics
Hot Start Helps Chippewas Sweep Broncos, 91-75
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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MOUNT PLEASANT -- Freshman Niki DiGuilio hit six three-pointers in the first half to get Central Michigan rolling in a 91-75 victory over Western Michigan at McGuirk Arena for the season sweep of the Mid-American Conference rival on Saturday.
Shonda Long finished with a game-high 27 points and the Chippewas (17-8, 9-4 MAC) rebounded from their worst offensive outing of the season to shoot 48 percent and forced the Broncos (7-19, 3-10 MAC) into 23 turnovers.
"We had 51 points in the first half today after we scored 45 the entire game on Wednesday," head coach Sue Guevara said. "It was a physical game and tough to get into the flow of the game sometimes, but I thought we continued to persevere. It was a good win for us."
CMU led by as many as 17 in the first half, but heavy foul trouble in the second half limited the availability of senior Kaihla Szunko and freshman Taylor Johnson , allowing WMU to get as close as six, 70-64, with 8:50 remaining.
An 16-5 run over the next five minutes pushed Central Michigan's lead back to 17, sealing the victory for the Maroon and Gold.
Long led three Chippewas in double-figures, joined by DiGuilio's 18 and Baker's 17. Baker added nine boards, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
WMU's Ebony Cleary led all players with 12 rebounds and had a double-double with 21 points.
The Chippewas shot 48 percent from the field, 45 percent from the arc (9-for-20), while the Broncos connected at 40 percent from the floor, 32 percent (6-for-19) from the arc.
Western Michigan edged Central Michigan on the glass, 40-38, but the Maroon and Gold took 10 more free throws (26-for-34).
A three-game home stand continues for Central Michigan next week, when Ball State (Feb. 23, 7 p.m.) and Eastern Michigan (Feb. 26, 4 p.m.) visit McGuirk Arena.
