Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Illinois
CMU Women Drop Third Straight
12/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Too little too late.
This was the message conveyed by Central Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevara as her team dropped its third straight game, 74-69, to non-conference Illinois Saturday.
The Chippewas, who trailed by 17 points at the half, outscored Illinois, 44-32, in the second half, but wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. CMU made 9 of its 19 3-point attempts in the final two quarters after making just 2-of-8 from long range in the first half.
"We outscored them in the second half but it was the first half that doomed us," Guevara said. "It was our turnovers, I think they had 23 points in the first half off of our turnovers, seven in the second.
"I think they had 14 points off of second chances, we gave them 44 of their 74 points. I call that an early Christmas present to the Illini."
CMU slips to 4-3. The Chippewas will look to regroup they return home for a Tuesday (noon) non-league matchup with Memphis at McGuirk Arena. Illinois is 7-1.
The Chippewas shot 37.5 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range. Illinois was 36.8 and 31.3, respectively. CMU out rebounded the Illini, 50-43.
Displeased with the offensive production from her post players, Guevara stated that she is ready to shake things up in the starting lineup.
"I told the team that I was making a grave mistake, because I've been staying with a starting lineup that is not coming out and producing," she said. "We need more offensive firepower coming out of our post players and we did not get that tonight"
Sophomore guard Cassie Breen scored a career-high 23 points, going 5-of-9 from 3-point range to lead CMU. Freshman Presley Hudson added 18 points.
Junior forward Jewel Cotton recorded a double-double collecting a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 10 points.
Chatrice White led the Illini with 20 points and nine rebounds.
"Well it's a quick turnaround (to Tuesday), so we don't have time to sit around and wallow in this loss," Guevara said. " We'll go home practice tomorrow, rest our legs and go to work."
The Chippewas trailed 42-25 at halftime and got its deficit to six, 72-66, with 11 seconds to play. A pair of free throws with 7 seconds left iced it for Illinois. Aleah Swary hit a 3-pointer with 1 second remaining for the final margin.
