No Rest for Chippewa Women
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — After two straight losses, the Central Michigan women's basketball team is in regroup mode heading in Saturday's (3 p.m.) non-conference tilt with Illinois at McGuirk Arena.
After starting the season 4-0 and averaging more than 80 points per contest, the Chippewas have cooled down in losses to Illinois-Chicago and Duquesne.
CMU coach Sue Guevara said learning to handle frustration would be key for her team going forward after posting a season-low 49 points in the loss to 8-1 Duquesne a week ago.
"We could not get a basket to go, the whole team was frustrated and the staff was frustrated," Guevara said. "Getting through those moments is something that we all need to learn how to do and I need to help this team do it."
The Chippewas won't have the luxury of facing a lightweight opponent as they look to regain steam. The Illini, who play in the Big Ten, are 6-1. Their lone loss to came to Miami (Fla.), which is 10-0.
"Illinois just happens to play in the Big Ten and they're playing in a brand new Arena (State Farm Center)," Guevara said. "It's just another really good opportunity for us to play against another really good team."
The Chippewas rank third in the Mid-American Conference in scoring (76 points per game), fourth in field goal percentage (.414), and second in 3-point shooting percentage (.341).
Freshman guard Presley Hudson leads CMU in scoring, averaging 18.0 points per game, which is good for fifth in the MAC.
Junior Jewel Cotton is second with 10.5 points per game and leads the teaming in rebounding averaging 8.0 per game. Senior Da'Jourie Turner is CMU's assist leader with 4.2 per game.
Guevara stressed the importance of getting her bench players more involved in the rotation.
"I have to get people more shots and find away to rest (starters) throughout the course of the game," she said.
Sophomore Amani Corley, freshman Jaeda Robinson and senior Chelsea Lynn are among the players expected to see increased roles going forward.
