Central Michigan University
UIC
Balanced CMU Women Push Past Illinois-Chicago
12/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — The Central Michigan women's basketball team turned in one of its more balanced performances of the season Saturday as it defeated nonconference Illinois-Chicago, 77-55, inside McGuirk Arena.
Presley Hudson and Cassie Breen scored 18 points apiece, and Jewel Cotton and Tinara Moore added 14 each as the Chippewas won their fifth straight game, improving to 6-2. The Flames are 2-4.
"We're not firing on all cylinders yet but we're getting better," CMU coach Sue Guevara said. "That's the key, just to just keep improving every single game. We still have some things to shore up, but overall we'll take the win."
The Chippewas shot 50.7 percent from the field in the game making it two straight contests in which they've made better than one-half of their field goal attempts. They shot 50.8 percent in Thursday's 95-57 win over Loyola Chicago.
After allowing the Flames to shoot 48 percent from the field in the first half, the Chippewa defense clamped down, holding UIC to a 25.6 percent rate in the final two quarters.
"We played a lot of zone (defense) today because we knew they were going to struggle a little bit from the floor and I thought that was effective, especially in the second half." Guevara said.
The Flames were able to keep the Chippewas in check on the glass as they held a 41-35 rebounding advantage. It marked the first time this season CMU won despite losing the rebounding battle.
Chippewa sophomore forward Reyna Frost, who entered the game ranked No. 4 in the nation at 12.4 rebounds per game, was limited a season-low six. Moore also had six boards.
"UIC did a great job of keeping Reyna Frost off of the glass," said Guevara. "It opened it up for our guards. We kept challenging our guards to go in and rebound, especially offensively."
After being limited to just two points in the first half and going 0-of-5 from 3-point range in the game, Hudson found success in the final two quarters in driving to the basket and earning trips to the free throw line. She finished 6-for-6 from the charity stripe and dished out seven assists.
"When my outside shot wasn't going I tried to create plays for other people," Hudson said. "Then I take start to take more of my own shots whether it's a floater or a layup and I was able to get to the free throw line, which is good."
Breen, a junior guard, 5-of-8 from behind the arc, which included a pair of back-to-back triples in the second and fourth quarters of the game
"Those are the best 3-pointers to make," said Breen. "Those are big games changers; back-to-back 3-pointers are what makes the other team put their head down. The momentum starts to swing and I credit my teammates for finding me."
Melita Emmanuel-Carr led the Flambes with 15 points, while Tyra Handberg-Carlsten added 14.
The Chippewas will return to the court on Tuesday when they go to West Lafayette, Ind., for a nonconference matchup with Purdue (4-4) at 7 p.m.
