Central Michigan University Athletics
Game Notes: Chippewas Battle for First at Ball State
2/6/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Central Michigan (13-8, 7-1 MAC) at Ball State (10-11, 7-1 MAC)
Thursday, February 7 - 7 p.m. | Worthen Arena (Muncie, Ind.
Broadcast Information
Live Audio: www.cmuchippewas.com
Radio: 91.5 wmhw-fm; Justin Hoff (play-by-play), Adam Jaksa (color) and Matt Kearney (host)
Live Stats: BallStateSports.com | Twitter: @CMUWBBall | Facebook: /CMUWBBall
TV: Comcast Michigan 900 and Comcast Indiana 81
CMU Hoops Quick Hitters
- The Chippewas and Cardinals sit in a three-way tie atop the Mid-American Conference with preseason favorite Toledo at 7-1.
- A win at Ball State would...
...snap a 13-game road losing streak in the series
...extend CMU's winning streak in the series to two
...equal Coach Guevara's record at 90-90 overall and 43-43 in conference play
...match the second best start in conference play in program history at 8-1 - Central Michigan leads the MAC in scoring margin during conference play at +18.5.
- Each of the last five MAC West Player of the Week awards have gone to players from CMU and BSU.
- Sophomore Crystal Bradford has scored in double digits in 44 of her 53 career games.
- Brandie Baker needs just seven steals to move into the top 10 for career steals at CMU.
| Probable Starters (Based on previous game) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | Name | | | | Ht. | | | | Yr. | | | | GP-GS | | | | PPG | | | | RPG | | | | Other |
| F | | 3 | | | | Jessica Green | | | | 5-10 | | | | So. | | | | 21-18 | | | | 11.6 | | | | 3.1 | | | | 2.5 SPG |
| G | | 23 | | | | Crystal Bradford | | | | 6-2 | | | | So. | | | | 21-12 | | | | 15.1 | | | | 9.4 | | | | 3.3 APG |
| G | | 24 | | | | Niki DiGuilio | | | | 5-8 | | | | Jr. | | | | 21-11 | | | | 6.7 | | | | 1.8 | | | | 36 3FG |
| F | | 13 | | | | Jessica Schroll | | | | 6-0 | | | | Sr. | | | | 13-10 | | | | 10.6 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 1.8 APG |
| G | | 33 | | | | Brandie Baker | | | | 6-0 | | | | Sr. | | | | 21-21 | | | | 7.1 | | | | 5.3 | | | | 2.7 APG |
Battle For First Place
The Chippewas saw their seven-game winning streak and a chance at an undefeated season come to an end with a loss at Bowling Green and are now 7-1 in conference play. Ball State has won five straight entering Thursday's contest and is also 7-1 in the MAC. The two teams entered the week tied atop the conference with Toledo, which played at Miami Wednesday night.
Halfway Home
With half the MAC season behind them, the Chippewas will look to repeat the first-half performance and build momentum for the FirstEnergy MAC Tournament in Cleveland March 13-16. CMU currently is the No. 1 seed as it has the tiebreaker over Toledo and would receive a double-bye to the semifinals.
If the MAC Tournament started today: (First round games at campus sites March 9)
- No. 12 NIU/Ohio at No. 5 Akron
- No. 9 Western Michigan at No. 8 Eastern Michigan
- No. 10 Kent State at No. 7 Buffalo
- No. 11 NIU/Ohio at No. 6 Bowling Green
- Ball State and Miami would each receive a bye to the third round as the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, while CMU and Toledo would each receive a bye to the semifinals as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds.
Block Party
A pair of Chippewas are etching their names in the record book with their blocking prowess. Senior Brandie Baker entered the top 10 for career blocks with 66 last week, while sophomore Crystal Bradford's 37 blocks this season already rank seventh in single-season history. Bradford set the second-best mark last season with 57.
Silver Lining
Despite their loss Sunday at Bowling Green, a win at Ball State Thursday would help the Chippewas earn the second-best start to MAC play in program history at 8-1. CMU won seven in a row following their last loss vs. Marquette January 2.
Run, Run, Run
With one of the nation's best offenses, Central Michigan has been nearly unstoppable when it reaches the 80-point plateau under head coach Sue Guevara. The Chippewas, who are a perfect 6-0 this season when scoring 80-plus, are 40-7 overall when accomplishing the feat in Guevara's five-plus seasons.
High-Octane Offense
The Chippewas enter Thursday's contest featuring the 12th ranked scoring offense in the country at 75.3 points per game. CMU also ranks among the best three-point shooting teams in the country, coming in at No. 13 with 8.0 three-point field goals made per game.
Chippewas Back in Mid-Major Top 25
CMU reentered the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll Tuesday, coming in at No. 19 with 202 points. CMU has three wins against opponents ranked higher in the poll - No. 13 South Dakota State, No. 5 Toledo and No. 2 Green Bay.
Getting Defensive
The Chippewas' defense has taken its play to a new level during MAC play, limiting opponents 59.5 points per contest, nearly six below their season average. Bowling Green became the first opponent to score more than 70 and shoot better than 50 percent against the Chippewas, resulting in their first loss in MAC play.
We've Done It Before
CMU has yet to defeat Ball State on the road under Coach Guevara and has dropped 13 straight on the road in the series. The Chippewas already broke one extended losing streak to a MAC foe this season, beating Toledo at Savage Arena to break a six-game road losing streak in that series.
Don't Miss a Beat
Central Michigan has outscored its' opponent in bench points on the season 737-341 and have been outscored in a game just twice. CMU has held a 238-135 advantage in conference play and saw its bench outscore Kent State's entire team when it scored 56 points.
