Central Michigan University
Ball State
CMU Women Deliver Big Road Win
2/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MUNCIE, Ind. — Simply put, the Central Michigan women's basketball team went into Worthen Arena Wednesday evening and made a statement.
With first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division on the line, the Chippewas came away with a convincing 74-65 win over their nearest pursuer, Ball State.
"I think this is only the third time that we have won here since I've been at Central," said Sue Guevara, who is in her ninth season as CMU's coach. "Anytime you can pick up a win in Muncie, believe me, you take it and savor it."
CMU runs its win streak to seven with the victory and owns a 16-7 record overall with a 10-2 clip in the MAC. Ball State falls to 16-6, 8-3 and the Chippewas' lead in the MAC West is now 1 ½ games over both Ball State and Toledo.
"Player-for-player I thought we could play with them, I thought the difference was going to be our bench, and the difference was our bench," Guevara said.
The Chippewa bench outscored the Cardinals' bench, 26-17. Junior forward Jewel Cotton led the CMU reserves with 13 points and six rebounds, while Aleah Swary added eight points.
"You look at what Jewel gave us — minutes," Guevara said. "Jasmine Harris gave good minutes, Aleah gave us good minutes in the second half and it made a difference."
The production from the bench enabled Guevara to rest the likes of starters Cassie Breen, Da'Jourie Turner and Presley Hudson from time to time.
"You're only as good as your weakest link and I just think our bench is getting better," Guevara said.
CMU finished the game shooting 44.6 percent on field goal attempts, 43.5 percent from behind the arc. Ball State shot 35.7 and 22.7, respectively.
The Chippewas, who held a 42-29 rebounding edge, never trailed and bumped their lead to double digits early in the second quarter.
CMU led 33-27 at halftime, then outscored the Cardinals 22-14 in the third quarter to extend its advantage to 55-41 heading into the fourth. Ball State never got closer than 11 points in the final stanza.
Sophomore forward Tinara Moore led CMU with 20 points and 12 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season. Moore also showed off her range, making two of her three 3-point attempts
"I think Tinara is working her tail off," said Guevara. "She wants to be one of the best players in our league, as a post player she goes 2-for-3 from the 3-point line and I think that's going to send a message to the other teams. You have to play her."
Nathalie Fontaine had 29 points and 14 rebounds to lead Ball State. Carman Grande added 10 points.
The Chippewas will remain on the road as they head to Northern Illinois (10-12, 3-8) for a MAC matchup with the Huskies at 2 p.m. on Saturday. CMU defeated NIU, 95-63, at McGuirk Arena on Jan. 13.
