Central Michigan University
Oakland
Chippewas Hold Off Oakland, Reach .500
12/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Jessica Green and Crystal Bradford scored 20 points apiece and Kerby Tamm added 13 Sunday as the Central Michigan women's basketball team held off determined Oakland, 74-69, in a non-league game at McGuirk Arena.
The win lifted CMU to 5-5. Oakland is 6-6. The Chippewas had lost four of their previous five games. They play host to Dayton on New Year's Eve at 1 p.m. in their final non-leaguer. They go to Kent State on Jan. 3 for their Mid-American Conference opener.
The Chippewas overcame a poor shooting day by making 75 percent of their free throw attempts (21-of-28) and finding a way to wrestle the game away from the Grizzlies.
"As a team we had been shooting 62 percent from the free throw line and today, shooting 75 percent from the free throw line was the only reason that we won this basketball game," CMU coach Sue Guevara said. "And the fact that we were able to get some rebounds down the stretch."
The Chippewas led by 15 points with under 14 minutes to play, but a 22-7 Oakland run tied it at 59-all with 6:22 left.
The Grizzlies led by one, 69-68, with under a minute remaining when Bradford took an inbounds pass from under the CMU basket, made a quick move to the basket and scored from close range to put the Chippewas ahead for good, 70-69, with 47 seconds left.
Tamm, a senior guard, made all four of her free throw attempts in the final 30 seconds to ice it.
"It's an isolation one-on-one," Guevara said of the set inbounds play to Bradford. "I said, `CB, we're down one, the ball's coming to you, just get it up on the glass.' It was that simple.
"Kerby Tamm, she's somebody who has ice in her veins and she hit four big free throws for us."
While Bradford hit the shot from in close when the Chippewas most needed it, CMU struggled from close range - and, in fact, long range -- throughout the day. They made 25-of-74 (33.8 percent) of their field goal attempts overall, and were just 3-for-17 (17.6 percent) from beyond the arc.
In the second half, the Chippewas were just 10-for-36 (27.8 percent) from the floor and failed on all seven of their triple tries.
"We shoot 33 percent (from the floor) and 17 percent from the three and we're not supposed to win this game," Guevara said. But we had 22 offensive rebounds, 49 total, and 21-for-28 from the free throw line and that's basically why we won."
The Chippewas' inconsistency from in close has been a continual source of frustration, Guevara said.
"I have challenged certain people on this team to use the backboard," she said. "I get very, very frustrated with finger-rolls. I get very, very frustrated with teardrops. I say `You guys are shooting teardrops and they're bringing be tears of sorrow and frustration, not happiness.'
"It's a basic fundamental of basketball to use the backboard, to not go over the top, but get an angle on the right or left side.
"I read this quote a couple days ago about shooting percentage, and it said your shooting percentage is about decision making, not just form. It's the kind of shots that you're taking. The kids are frustrated, I'm really frustrated. I just think if we have this offensive system put in place that allows you to have layups and jumpers in the red zone, scoring 70 points isn't enough.
"It's just not enough because we should be shooting the ball better. And it's got to start in practice."
Lorreal Jones led CMU with 10 rebounds, while Bradford had nine and Jas'Mine Bracey added eight.
Bradford added four assists and was 6-for-6 from the free throw line, but her shooting line - 7-for-22 from the field - perhaps symbolized Guevara's greater concern.
"If you look at 7-for-22, that's not good enough," Guevara said. "With the amount of shots and the type of shots that she took, CB could have easily been 15-for-22. I'm happy with the rest of her numbers.
"She gets it, she'll be the first to tell you she gets it. She's got to play herself into shape because she wasn't able to do a lot early. But she's close. She's real close."
Bradford continues to work herself back into shape after offseason knee surgery.
"My shooting wasn't great, but that happens," she said. "Got to keep shooting. I think it's because I need to get back in better game-shape, which I'm headed towards. I'm pretty proud of my free-throws today."
Nola Anderson scored 21 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead the Grizzlies. Oliva Nash added 16 and Elena Popkey had 12.
