Central Michigan University Athletics
Guard Micaela Kelly is one of three returning starters to coach Sue Guevara's CMU women's basketball team in 2018-19.
Photo by: Monica Bradburn
Ignition: Chippewa Women Hit The Court On Thursday
10/31/2018 7:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Phenomenal year behind them, Chippewas begin charge to follow it up
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan women's basketball team, coming off the best season in program history, will entertain Northwood in an exhibition game on Thursday (noon) at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas, who won a program-record 30 games in 2017-18, open the season on Thursday, Nov. 8 (7 p.m.) at home against Oakland. It is the first of four consecutive nonconference home games.
The Chippewas were picked in the preseason poll of Mid-American Conference coaches, released on Wednesday, to sweep the league hardware: the MAC West Division, the MAC overall regular-season, and the MAC Tournament championships.
CMU accomplished all three feats a year ago and then opened the NCAA Tournament by upsetting 24th-ranked LSU and following with an even bigger shocker, a win over Big Ten champion Ohio State, the 10th-ranked team in the country, to earn a spot in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history.
Thursday's game will give fans a look at the Chippewas, who return three starters but must replace Tinara Moore, who led CMU in scoring a year ago when she was earned All-America honors and was named the MAC Player of the Year and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Another starter, guard Cassie Breen, must also be replaced. Breen is the program's all-time leader in 3-pointers.
Both Breen and Moore are now playing professionally overseas. That duo combined to average 31 points and 12 rebounds per game for the Chippewas a year ago.
"It's not going to be up to two people to make that all up," said Sue Guevara, who is in her 12th year in charge of the program and who was named the MAC Coach of the Year last season. "With Team 51 we have a variety of people that can contribute for us."
At the top of that list are CMU's three returning starters, guards Presley Hudson and Micaela Kelly, and forward Reyna Frost. Both Hudson and Frost are seniors, while Kelly is a sophomore.
Hudson is a two-time All-MAC First Team selection who, in 2015-16, earned the MAC Freshman of the Year Award. Barring injury, she should become CMU's all-time scoring leader at some point this season.
Frost ranked 10th in the nation in rebounding last season, averaging 11.9 boards per game. She was named the MVP of the MAC Tournament and earned second team all-conference honors.
Kelly enjoyed a phenomenal freshman season, combining with Hudson to form the best backcourt in the MAC and one of the best in the nation. She averaged 11.5 points per game a year ago.
Northwood, a Division II school, finished 17-11 last season including 12-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Timberwolves finished fourth in the league's South Division in the preseason poll of conference coaches.
Thursday's exhibition is CMU's Hoops for Hunger. Fans are encouraged to drop off nonperishable food items at receptacles located in the atrium outside McGuirk Arena. Proceeds go to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
The Chippewas, who won a program-record 30 games in 2017-18, open the season on Thursday, Nov. 8 (7 p.m.) at home against Oakland. It is the first of four consecutive nonconference home games.
The Chippewas were picked in the preseason poll of Mid-American Conference coaches, released on Wednesday, to sweep the league hardware: the MAC West Division, the MAC overall regular-season, and the MAC Tournament championships.
CMU accomplished all three feats a year ago and then opened the NCAA Tournament by upsetting 24th-ranked LSU and following with an even bigger shocker, a win over Big Ten champion Ohio State, the 10th-ranked team in the country, to earn a spot in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history.
Thursday's game will give fans a look at the Chippewas, who return three starters but must replace Tinara Moore, who led CMU in scoring a year ago when she was earned All-America honors and was named the MAC Player of the Year and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. Another starter, guard Cassie Breen, must also be replaced. Breen is the program's all-time leader in 3-pointers.
Both Breen and Moore are now playing professionally overseas. That duo combined to average 31 points and 12 rebounds per game for the Chippewas a year ago.
"It's not going to be up to two people to make that all up," said Sue Guevara, who is in her 12th year in charge of the program and who was named the MAC Coach of the Year last season. "With Team 51 we have a variety of people that can contribute for us."
At the top of that list are CMU's three returning starters, guards Presley Hudson and Micaela Kelly, and forward Reyna Frost. Both Hudson and Frost are seniors, while Kelly is a sophomore.
Hudson is a two-time All-MAC First Team selection who, in 2015-16, earned the MAC Freshman of the Year Award. Barring injury, she should become CMU's all-time scoring leader at some point this season.
Frost ranked 10th in the nation in rebounding last season, averaging 11.9 boards per game. She was named the MVP of the MAC Tournament and earned second team all-conference honors.
Kelly enjoyed a phenomenal freshman season, combining with Hudson to form the best backcourt in the MAC and one of the best in the nation. She averaged 11.5 points per game a year ago.
Northwood, a Division II school, finished 17-11 last season including 12-8 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Timberwolves finished fourth in the league's South Division in the preseason poll of conference coaches.
Thursday's exhibition is CMU's Hoops for Hunger. Fans are encouraged to drop off nonperishable food items at receptacles located in the atrium outside McGuirk Arena. Proceeds go to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball2025-26 WBB Preseason Press Conference - Taylor Johnson & Nekhu Mitchell
Tuesday, October 21
2025-26 WBB Preseason Press Conference - Head Coach Kristin Haynie
Tuesday, October 21
WBB Annual Golf Outing
Friday, September 12
WBB Practice
Friday, July 04