Central Michigan University
Oakland
Chippewas Win Double-OT Thriller
11/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Cassie Breen hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the second overtime Tuesday to send the Central Michigan women's basketball team to a dramatic 70-67 victory over Oakland in a nonconference game at McGuirk Arena.
"We had to grind it out tonight and you have to give the kids credit," said CMU coach Sue Guevara. "There was a belief that we were going to win this game."
Breen, a junior guard, finished with a career-high 33 points. She made 7-of-14 from 3-point range and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line as CMU improved to 2-2.
"I can't give the credit to anyone but my teammates," Breen said. "They did a good job of finding me when I was open. I read the defense and they got me the ball.
"I think not quitting when we got punched in the mouth a couple times in the two overtimes was a big step for us. We fought back a lot tonight."
Fourteen of Breen's points in the extra sessions, nine of which came on three high-pressure triples.
"Down the stretch, most of the plays that were being called, were for Breen," Guevara said. "She was the only one that was able to score for us. She and Jewel Cotton have been our most consistent players to date."
Cotton came off the bench to knock down six of her 11 field goal attempts en route to 13 points. She also pulled down six rebounds.
Although the game had an exciting finish it was far from the all-around offensive performance Guevara said she expects from her team.
The Chippewas scored just 17 points in the first half, shooting just 18.2 percent from the field over the first 20 minutes. They finished the game 31.1 percent and were 34.8 percent from behind the arc.
"We are not shooting the ball well as a team and that is not a secret to anyone," Guevara said. "For whatever reason that is, I have no idea because each of those players made 50,000 shots over the course of the summer."
The defensive statistics were much more encouraging in the game for CMU as it held Oakland (2-2) to a 28.9 field goal percentage, including 18.2 percent from beyond the arc.
The Chippewas held a 65-48 rebounding advantage.
"There is always room for improvement but (the defense) is definitely a step up from what we played this weekend," Breen said. "We played a lot more aggressively tonight."
Sophomore forward Reyna Frost led the Chippewas, matching her career-high with 20 boards. Tinara Moore chipped in with 12.
"Rebounding is something I always put a focus on," Frost said. "I know it helps the team a lot especially when I miss my shots. It gives us extra possessions and that's when Cassie was able to hit some of her threes; it really helped in this game."
CMU sophomore guard Presley Hudson finished with her first career double-double, totaling 11 points and 12 rebounds. The 12 boards were a career-high.
Hudson hit two free throws to break a 67-67 tie with 42 seconds remaining to put the Chippewas ahead for good. Cotton added a free throw with 5 seconds to play for the final margin.
The game featured 14 lead changes and nine ties.
Taylor Jones tallied 23 points to lead Oakland. Leah Somerfield added 13 points and led the Grizzlies with 11 rebounds.
The Chippewas will fly out to California on Wednesday to compete in the Cal Poly Tournament over the Thanksgiving Weekend. CMU plays Utah Valley (0-3) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and North Dakota State (1-2) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
