Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Hudson Red Hot As CMU Clinches West
2/24/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Presley Hudson scored a season-high 31 points on Saturday as the Central Michigan women's basketball team clinched the Mid-American Conference West Division title with a 78-62 win over rival Western Michigan at the Broncos' University Arena.
It is CMU'sthird consecutive MAC West title.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Chippewas improved to 23-4, 15-1 MAC and are one game ahead of East-leading Buffalo, which improved to 14-2 in the MAC with a 70-53 win over Ohio on Saturday.
CMU plays host to Ball State in a league game on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and then closes the regular season on Saturday, March 3, at Toledo. CMU can clinch an overall league title share with a win over the Cardinals on Wednesday.
LEADERS
Hudson hit seven of her eight 3-point attempts - she was 5 for 5 in the first quarter - in upping her season total to a program-record 105. Hudson passed NIki DiGuilio, who made 100 3-pointers in 2013-14. Hudson was 10 for 13 from the floor overall, and made all four of her free throw attempts.
Tinara Moore added 13 points for CMU and also shared the team-lead with Hudson for rebounds with eight apiece. Cassie Breen added 11 points for the Chippewas.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Central Michigan took the lead and ran with it from the opening tip. Freshman Maddy Watters hit a 3-pointer midway through the second quarter to give the Chippewas their largest lead, 26 points, at 40-14.
Western Michigan never got closer than 15 in the second half.
KEY STATS
The Chippewas dominated the boards with 46 rebounds to Western Michigan's 22.
CMU drained 12 of 23 3-point attempts - the Chippewas were a blistering 9 for 11 in the first half - and finished 25 of 49 (51 percent) from the floor.
BRONCO LEADER
Marley Hill lead the Broncos with 13 points.
NEXT
CMU will honor its four seniors - Moore, Breen, Aleah Swary and Amani Corley - prior to Wednesday's home game with Ball State.
COACH SUE GUEVARA
"I appreciate (the West title) … but it's not something we talk about to be frank. It's just another game and it's time to move on."
"We have Senior Night Wednesday and I hope we can get 1,800-2,000 people there to honor our four seniors that have done a wonderful job for us."
"We had more fans here. It felt like McGuirk (Arena). They were loud and proud, which is awesome and wonderful. That's why I love coaching at Central Michigan. They have embraced our team and it's a great place to be."
