Central Michigan University Athletics
Falcons Slip Past Chippewas, 77-72 in OT
1/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Post Game Press Conference | Highlights | Rebroadcast
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Taylor Johnson recorded her second double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough to stop the Mid-American Conference leaders, Bowling Green, who defeated Central Michigan, 77-72, Saturday afternoon in overtime.
Following a Falcon (18-3, 8-0 MAC) layup with eight seconds left, Johnson sprinted down the court, driving to the hoop, for a game-tying lay-in with 1.9 seconds left. BGSU scored the first two baskets in overtime, which gave it a five-point advantage. The Chippewas (12-10, 4-4 MAC) cut the lead to two, following a free throw by Skylar Miller, but the Falcon offense was too much, going 4-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-6 from the charity strip to remain unbeaten in conference play.
"That was a really tough game," said head coach Sue Guevara. "I thought that our players followed the game plan to a tee. I was very happy with our effort. We had a lot of people play today that have not been playing. I could not ask my players to compete any harder than they did. One of the strengths of this team is our depth and you saw that depth on display today. It's just a tough, tough loss."
The Chippewa bench combined for 33 points, compared to only 15 from the Falcons. 19 of those points came from Brandie Baker who returned to action for the first time since January 5. Jalisa Olive also came off the bench to score 11 points.
BGSU opened the game on an 8-0 run that was halted by a jumper from Johnson. CMU responded with an 8-2 run to make it a two-point game, 10-8, at 13:54 in the first half. The Falcons came right back, building an 11 point advantage at 8:07. Following an 11-2 run, the Chippewas had the lead cut to two with 6:19 remaining in the half. The Falcons again built themselves a cushion and went into the half up 38-31.
Olive hit a three-pointer that pulled the home team within two, 40-38, only 3:39 into the second half. Following a Jordan LaDuke layup that cut the lead to one, Baker hit a free throw at 12:28 that tied the game for the first time. The visitors put together a 6-0 run to jump back in front. At 6:08 Baker hit a jumper to cap a 6-0 run by the Chippewas and the game was once again tied at 52. Both teams traded baskets until a free throw by Niki DiGuilio handed the Chippewas their first lead of the game at 55-54 with 4:51 left to play. Johnson hit two quick buckets and a pair of free throws to push the home lead to four with 1:57 remaining. Two free throws from the Falcons along with a quick layup tied the game for the seventh time, at 62 with 57 seconds showing on the clock.
Following the Johnson layup the Chippewas were heading to their fifth overtime game this season, the most in a single season. They are now 3-2 in overtime games this year.
BGSU finished the game shooting 41 percent from the floor and 74.1 percent from the foul line. CMU was held to only 34.8 percent from the field and 58.1 percent from the charity stripe. The Falcons, who were out-rebounding the Chippewas 23-12 at halftime, finished the game with a slight 47-43 advantage.
Johnson finished the game with a season-high 18 points along with her 10 rebounds. Miller just missed double-digit rebounds with nine, while DiGuilio grabbed eight.
The Maroon and Gold will finish their three-game home stand with Miami on Wednesday, in a 7 p.m. contest.
