CMU Women Clinch Division, Stand Alone Above MAC

Saturday, March 2

Ypsilanti, Mich.

2:00 p.m. ET

Central Michigan University

22-6 (13-3MAC)

Eastern Michigan

12-15 (5-11MAC)

Central Michigan

Eastern Michigan

3/2/2019 4:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Watters' career-high day sparks CMU to blowout

By: Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The divisional title, and they did it with authority.

Maddy Watters hit seven 3-pointers en route to 24 points – both career highs – on Saturday as the Central Michigan women's basketball team rolled past Eastern Michigan, 87-60, clinching the Mid-American Conference West Division title at the Eagles' Convocation Center.

The win, coupled with a Miami (Ohio) loss, left the Chippewas alone in first place in the overall MAC standings as they clinched a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament, meaning they will head directly to Cleveland for the quarterfinals.

CMU won its sixth consecutive game in improving to 22-6, 13-3 MAC. The Chippewas are seeking their third-consecutive overall MAC regular-season championship, and with it the No. 1 seed in the MAC Tournament. Miami dropped its second-straight game on Saturday, falling at Buffalo, 86-61, to slip to 12-4 in MAC play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Leading 17-13 after the first quarter, the Chippewas outscored the Eagles, 23-6, in the second quarter for a 40-19 halftime lead. Eastern Michigan (12-15, 5-11) briefly crept within 12 points in the third quarter, but never seriously threatened throughout the second half.

LEADERS
Watters, a sophomore who has struggled at times from the floor this season, broke out big-time on Saturday, hitting seven of her 11 3-point attempts.

Her previous career highs in 3-pointers (six) and points (18) came earlier this season against Western Kentucky.

Reyna Frost had 21 points and 14 rebounds for the Chippewas, Micaela Kelly also scored 21 points, and Kyra Bussell came off the bench to score 12 points and grab eight rebounds.

Kelly hit four of her five 3-point attempts as the Chippewas finished 13 for 26 from 3-point range. It marked the fifth consecutive game that CMU has made at least 11 triples.

Corrione Cardwell scored 18 points to lead the Eagles, who made just two of their 11 3-point tries.

NEXT
The Chippewas close the regular season with two home games next week. They entertain Western Michigan on Wednesday, March 6 (7 p.m.) and play host to Toledo on Senior Day on Saturday, March 9 (1 p.m.).