Central Michigan University
Eastern Michigan
CMU Women Remain Unbeaten In MAC
2/3/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Lindsay Gerber, CMUChippewas.com
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Central Michigan women's basketball coach Sue Guevara described her team as dangerous before its game on Saturday at Eastern Michigan.
Tinara Moore scored 28 points, one shy of her season high, and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Chippewas began the second half of the Mid-American Conference schedule with a 95-72 victory at the Eagles' Convocation Center. EMU fell to 9-12, 5-5.
Central Michigan never trailed, but underwent a frustrating first half that left the Chippewas ahead by only eight, 36-28, at halftime.
A change of mindset was enough to get the shots falling and a 3-pointer from Micaela Kelly in the first minute of the third quarter sparked a 9-0 CMU run. From there, the Chippewas' gained steam.
Presley Hudson finished with 19 points and dished out seven assists for the Chippewas, who made 72.4 percent of their second-half field goal attempts and finished at a season-best 61.4 percent for the game.
Cassie Breen and Reyna Frost added 16 and 15 points, respectively, as the Chippewas matched their season-high point total in a MAC game this season.
Moore and Frost led the outstanding shooting effort as they combined to go 16 for 20 from the floor (80 percent). Moore's double-double was her 10th of the season. She and Frost share the team lead in that category.
"That tells me that this is an experienced team, with the exception of (Kelly)," said Guevara. "The other four (starters) have really taken her under their wing and I think with the experience we have, to keep the momentum going, I need to keep (the starters) in and then bring in the subs in."
A Breen 3-pointer less than two minutes into the second half restored CMU's lead to double digits, 43-31, and Eastern never got closer. The Chippewas led by as many as 21 points late in the third quarter, and the Eagles never seriously threatened in the fourth.
Breen went 50 percent from the field, draining 4-of-10 from beyond the arc.
"She's a warrior. She's been doing that for four years," said Guevara of her 3-point leader.
As good as the Chippewas were from the floor, they had an uncharacteristically cold day from the free throw line. They made 15 of 22 from the stripe for 68.2 percent. Only twice this season have the Chippewas posted a lower percentage from the line.
"If there's one disappointment, it's that the 68 percent should be 80," Guevara said.
Courtnie Lewis led Eastern Michigan with 20 points.
Central Michigan is scheduled to go to Ohio (12-9,6-4) on Wednesday (7 p.m.). The Bobcats are second in the MAC East behind Buffalo.
