Central Michigan University Athletics
WNIT Notes: Chippewas Set to host IUPUI Thursday Night
3/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WNIT First Round: Central Michigan (20-11) vs. IUPUI (22-9)
Thursday, March 20 | 7 p.m.
Mount Pleasant, Mich. | McGuirk Arena
Broadcast Information
Live Audio: www.cmuchippewas.com
Radio: 91.5 wmhw-fm; Jared Sandler (play-by-play), Colin Hinman (color) and Matt Pocket (host)
Live Stats: cmuchippewas.com | Twitter: @CMUWBBall | Facebook: /CMUWBBall
| Probable Starters (Based on previous game) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | Name | | | Ht. | | | | Yr. | | | | GP-GS | | | | PPG | | | | RPG | | | | Other |
| G | | 3 | | | | Jessica Green | | | 5-10 | | | | Jr. | | | | 31-28 | | | | 11.8 | | | | 2.5 | | | | 3.6 APG |
| G | | 12 | | | | Kerby Tamm | | | 5-10 | | | | Jr. | | | | 31-31 | | | | 6.7 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 57 3FGM |
| G | | 24 | | | | Niki DiGuilio | | | 5-8 | | | | Sr. | | | | 31-31 | | | | 13.5 | | | | 2.0 | | | | 99 3FGM |
| F | | 31 | | | | Jordan LaDuke | | | 5-11 | | | | Sr. | | | | 24-5 | | | | 3.4 | | | | 1.8 | | | | .391 FG% |
| F | | 32 | | | | Jas'Mine Bracey | | | 6-2 | | | | Jr. | | | | 31-31 | | | | 10.8 | | | | 10.5 | | | | 0.8 BPG |
CMU Hoops Quick Hitters
•This is CMU’s fourth-straight postseason appearanced its’ third apperance in the WNIT in the last four seasons.
•CMU is still looking for its first postseason victory in program history, entering Thursday night’s game with a 0-5 mark.
•Senior Jordan LaDuke, sophomore Da’Jourie Turner and redshirt freshman Jewel Cotton each scored in double figures in the MAC Tournament semifinal to step up in the absence of MAC Player of the Year Crystal Bradford.
•The Chippewas are taking on the Jaguars for the third time in program history. CMU won the first meeting on No. 27, 2001, 57-56, while the Jags evened the series on Dec. 30, 2003, 71-61.
•The winner of Thursday night’s contest will play the winner of the Northwestern versus Ball State in the second round March 22-25.
•CMU went a perfect 11-0 at home during the regular season, defeating opponents by an average of 14.0 points per game.
CMU News and Notes
Perfect at Home
CMU posted an undefeated 11-0 record at home during the regular season, outscoring their opponents by an average of 14 points per game. Two of the victories came in overtime, while the Chippewas claimed their season opener on a buzzer beater to defeat Dayton, 94-91.
Postseason History
The Chippewas are seeking their first postseason victory in program history as they are 0-3 in NCAA Tournament appearances and 0-2 in WNIT appearances. CMU last hosted a postseason contest in 1984, falling to Alabama in front of 3,250 fans inside Rose Arena, 78-70.
Stepping Up
In the absence of leader Crystal Bradford, senior Jordan LaDuke, sophomore Da’Jourie Turner and redshirt freshman Jewel Cotton each scored in double figures in the MAC Tournament semifinal versus Akron. Cotton went 6-for-8 from the field in 19 minutes of action, matching her career high with 12 points.
For the First Time
Junior Crystal Bradford became the program’s first ever MAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year earlier this week. The junior broke the CMU single-season scoring record with 588 points while also leading the team in rebounds (12.2), assists (4.6), steals (1.7) and blocks (1.3). Unfortunately, Bradford will be unavailable for postseason play after having arthroscopic knee surgery Wednesday afternoon.
Saving Her Best For Last
Senior Taylor Johnson has notched double figures in each of her last three of her last four games, averaging 18.3 points per game and shooting 46 percent (14-for-30) from beyond the arc during the stretch. Johnson became the first two-time MAC Sixth Player of the Year Monday after averaging 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 38.1 percent from three in 30 games off the bench during the regular season.
Niki D For 3
Senior Niki DiGuilio has made a CMU and MAC single-season record 99 three-point field goals this season. DiGuilio earned third-team All-MAC honors. She is the program’s all-time leading three-point shooter with 283 made triples and has made at least one trey in 36-straight contests.
Double-Double Trouble
Junior Jas’Mine Bracey earned All-MAC Third Team honors after a breakout season in which she ranked second in the MAC with 12 double-doubles and was one of only two players to average double figures in scoring (10.9) and rebounding (10.5). Bracey has pulled down 10-plus rebounds in 17 games, including a career-high 21 versus Ball State on Feb. 27.
Green Pastures
Junior Jessica Green returned to the lineup following offseason knee surgery to earn All-MAC honorable mention honors. Green has scored in double figures 19 times this season and is averaging 11.8 points and 3.6 assists per game.
Four-Straight 20-Win Seasons
The Chippewas claimed their 20th victory of the season versus Western Michigan March 5, marking the fourth-straight season in which they have won 20-plus games. The streak is the longest in program history, while the 81 wins over the last four seasons is the third most in a four-year span.
How the West Was Won
Central Michigan claimed its first MAC West title in program history with a 16-2 by outscoring its opponents by an average of 11.9 points per game. CMU was the league’s top scoring offense during MAC play with 83.5 points per game and also led in three-point field goal percentage (.366), rebounding (46.7) and three-point field goals per game (9.6)
One of 12 with Four 1,000-point Scorers
Central Michigan became just the 12th program in NCAA history to feature four different 1,000-point scorers on its’ roster when junior Jessica Green reached the milestone versus Ball State on Feb. 27.
