Central Michigan University Athletics
Game Notes: Chippewas Open WNIT Against Redbirds
3/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Complete Game Notes in .pdf Format
Central Michigan (20-10) at Illinois State (20-10)
Thursday ♦ March 17, 2011 ♦ 8:05 p.m. ♦ Redbird Arena (10,200) ♦ Normal, Ill.
Live Radio Coverage on the CMU Sports Network ♦ WMHW-FM 91.5 (Justin Hoff and Vince Progar)
COVERAGE
Live Stats | Live Audio | Live Video (Free)
STORYLINES
...Shonda Long put together just the fourth 40-point effort in MAC Tournament history against Buffalo in the quarterfinals, breaking CMU's single-game scoring record [Program Record Book ] .
...senior Kaihla Szunko needs two rebounds to become just the third player to reach 1,000 career rebounds in CMU history, and just the seventh in MAC history.
...Sophomore Brandie Baker needs four assists to pass Suzy Merchant's 1990-91 season for No. 1 on CMU's single-season assists chart (156).
...if CMU comes away with a victory on Thursday, it would be the first postseason victory in program history and advance the Maroon and Gold to face Wisconsin on March 19 at 1 p.m. [Complete WNIT Bracket ]
| PROJECTED STARTERS | |||||||
| Name | Ht. | Yr. | PPG | RPG | Other | Notes | |
| (1) G | Brandie Baker | 6-0 | So. | 13.1 | 7.2 | 5.1 APG | Just four assists shy of CMU's single-season record. |
| (2) G | Shonda Long | 5-9 | Sr. | 16.6 | 2.7 | 2.5 3PG | Needs 11 points to move into third on CMU's single season chart |
| (3) G | Niki DiGuilio | 5-8 | Fr. | 11.1 | 2.3 | 2.3 3PG | Was 8-for-16 from 3-point range in the MAC Tournament |
| (4) F | Skylar Miller | 5-10 | Jr. | 6.6 | 4.2 | 1.3 SPG | Averaging career-highs in points, rebounds and field goal pct. |
| (5) F | Kaihla Szunko | 6-1 | Sr. | 15.9 | 11.1 | 2.5 SPG | Tied a MAC Tournament record with 19 rebounds vs. BGSU |
| TALE OF THE TAPE | GAME NOTES | ||
| First Time in the WNIT -- Central Michigan is playing in the WNIT for the first time in program history. It is the third postseason berth in CMU history, the first since the 1983 and 1984 NCAA Tournaments. The Chippewas did not advance past the opening round in either tournament. In the Postseason -- CMU lost at Maryland, 94-71, in 1983 and at home vs. Alabama, 78-70, in 1984. Senior Stars -- Shonda Long and Kaihla Szunko had huge performances in the MAC Tournament. Below are some notes on the two performances, as well as other CMU facts: • Shonda Long’s 40-point performance was just the 16th in MAC history, the fourth in the MAC Tournament (40, vs. Buffalo) • It was the first 40-point effort since a MAC record 44 was poured in by Lindsay Shearer (KSU) vs. BGSU on March 12, 2005 • Shonda Long tied the MAC Tournament record for three-pointers made in a game (seven) against Buffalo • Shonda Long’s 12 made field goals against Buffalo tied for the fifth-most in a MAC Tournament game • Long and Kaihla Szunko became just the third pair of teammates in CMU history to each score at least 450 points in a season • CMU advanced to its 10th semifinal game in program history, its first since 1992 • CMU picked up its 20th win, the fourth 20-win campaign in program history and first since 1990-91 • Kaihla Szunko had two more double-doubles in the MAC Tournament, and now has 43 in her career • Kaihla Szunko tied a MAC Tournament record with a career-high 19 rebounds in the semifinals against Bowling Green Elite Company -- Kaihla Szunko is just two rebounds shy of 1,000 in her career, and when she reaches the mark she joins some special names in both the nation and Mid-American Conference history. She will be just the seventh player in conference history to reach 1,000 rebounds, and will be the first in conference history to register 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 steals in a career. There are only two other players currently active in the nation that can also claim those same marks: UConn’s Maya Moore (2,758-1,156-275) and Kentucky’s Victoria Dunlap (1,669-1,016-279). Szunko has 1,286 points, 998 rebounds and 231 steals. Against Illinois State -- The Redbirds own a 6-1 edge in the all-time series, but the Chippewas claimed the most recent meeting, 72-62, at Redbird Arena on Nov. 25, 2001. | |||
| 87 | RPI | 85 | |
| 81.2 | Points | 68.9 | |
| 73.9 | Pts. Allowed | 63.4 | |
| 41.8 | FG % | 43.0 | |
| 35.2 | 3FG % | 33.9 | |
| 7.9 | 3FG Made | 4.2 | |
| 72.5 | FT % | 66.3 | |
| 41.3 | Rebounds | 39.2 | |
| -0.9 | Reb. +/- | +3.2 | |
| 14.9 | Assists | 11.4 | |
| 15.5 | Turnovers | 15.4 | |
| 10.2 | Steals | 8.5 | |
| 2.8 | Blocks | 3.8 | |
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