Saturday, February 22
DeKalb, IL
2:00 p.m.
Central Michigan University
21-4,14-0MAC
70
at
66
Northern Illinois
8-17,4-10MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Central Mich.
16
17
16
21
70
Northern Ill.
14
19
10
23
66
CMU clinched a share of its fifth-consecutive MAC West title and its fourth-straight MAC overall regular-season championship with a 70-66 win on Saturday at Northern Illinois.
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewa Women Clinch Share Of West, Overall MAC Titles
2/22/2020 4:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CMU holds off Northern Illinois, improves to 14-0 in MAC
DeKALB, Ill. – A typical game by the Central Michigan women's basketball team with what has become a typical finish.
And the Chippewas are in a familiar spot, with their hands on championship hardware.
Kyra Bussell scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds on Saturday as the Chippewas held off Northern Illinois, 70-66, at the Huskies' Convocation Center.
CMU improved to 21-4, 14-0 MAC and clinched a share of its fourth-straight overall MAC regular-season title and of a fifth-consecutive MAC West championship. The Chippewas lead by four games over both Ball State and Ohio with four games to play.
The game unfolded like so many in the MAC have for CMU this season. The Chippewas led throughout, and when things got tight down the stretch, they steered it home.
"I think that we learned a lot of lessons in the (nonconference) that are helping us now and I've said it all along, anytime we're in a close game there is no panic on this team and that comes with all the experience that we have," first-year CMU coach Heather Oesterle said.
The Chippewas can clinch outright West and overall league titles with a win on Wednesday, Feb. 26, when they play host to rival Western Michigan.
How It Happened
CMU never trailed but could never stretch the lead to a comfortable margin against the Huskies, 8-17, 4-10, who gave the Chippewas a similar challenge when they met in Mount Pleasant 2 ½ weeks ago. CMU won that game, 66-60.
CMU led by 10 points on three occasions in the fourth quarter only to see the Huskies whittle their deficit down to two, 65-63, with just under a minute to play.
Bussell hit two free throws with 53 second left to make it 67-63 and Molly Davis made a charity toss with 42 seconds left to extend it to 68-63. Bussell added two more free throws with 24 seconds left.
Northern Illinois committed two turnovers and then missed two shot attempts on four consecutive possessions as the Chippewas gained some breathing room.
"We had some big stops down the stretch and we had some big-time offensive plays that were clutch," Oesterle said. "This is a hell of a win; Northern, they gave us everything they had and that's a good team. I'm just really proud of the way we came in here and found a way to win. It's a good win."
Big-Game Bussell
Bussell's double-double was her fourth of the season and of her career. She tied her career high with five 3-pointers (on eight attempts).
Micaela Kelly added 14 points and Gabrielle Bird hit four 3-pointers en route to 12 points and she grabbed seven rebounds.
And the Chippewas are in a familiar spot, with their hands on championship hardware.
Kyra Bussell scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds on Saturday as the Chippewas held off Northern Illinois, 70-66, at the Huskies' Convocation Center.
CMU improved to 21-4, 14-0 MAC and clinched a share of its fourth-straight overall MAC regular-season title and of a fifth-consecutive MAC West championship. The Chippewas lead by four games over both Ball State and Ohio with four games to play.
The game unfolded like so many in the MAC have for CMU this season. The Chippewas led throughout, and when things got tight down the stretch, they steered it home.
"I think that we learned a lot of lessons in the (nonconference) that are helping us now and I've said it all along, anytime we're in a close game there is no panic on this team and that comes with all the experience that we have," first-year CMU coach Heather Oesterle said.
The Chippewas can clinch outright West and overall league titles with a win on Wednesday, Feb. 26, when they play host to rival Western Michigan.
How It Happened
CMU never trailed but could never stretch the lead to a comfortable margin against the Huskies, 8-17, 4-10, who gave the Chippewas a similar challenge when they met in Mount Pleasant 2 ½ weeks ago. CMU won that game, 66-60.
CMU led by 10 points on three occasions in the fourth quarter only to see the Huskies whittle their deficit down to two, 65-63, with just under a minute to play.
Bussell hit two free throws with 53 second left to make it 67-63 and Molly Davis made a charity toss with 42 seconds left to extend it to 68-63. Bussell added two more free throws with 24 seconds left.
Northern Illinois committed two turnovers and then missed two shot attempts on four consecutive possessions as the Chippewas gained some breathing room.
"We had some big stops down the stretch and we had some big-time offensive plays that were clutch," Oesterle said. "This is a hell of a win; Northern, they gave us everything they had and that's a good team. I'm just really proud of the way we came in here and found a way to win. It's a good win."
Big-Game Bussell
Bussell's double-double was her fourth of the season and of her career. She tied her career high with five 3-pointers (on eight attempts).
Micaela Kelly added 14 points and Gabrielle Bird hit four 3-pointers en route to 12 points and she grabbed seven rebounds.
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Team Stats
CMU
NIU
FG%
.393
.406
3FG%
.382
.333
FT%
.750
.500
RB
37
45
TO
18
20
STL
8
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
8
3FGM
5
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
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