Saturday, March 7
Mount Pleasant, MI
1:00 p.m.
Central Michigan University
23-6,16-2MAC
76
vs
69
Eastern Michigan
14-15,9-9MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Eastern Mich.
12
29
14
14
69
Central Mich.
18
9
25
24
76
CMU seniors Mackenna Kelly (center) and Gabrielle Bird (right) celebrate with junior guard Micaela Kelly after the Chippewas' win on Saturday at McGuirk Arena. It was the final home game for Mackenna Kelly and Bird.
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
CMU Women Put An Exclamation Point On It
3/7/2020 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Chippewas down Eastern Michigan in home finale, look to MAC Tournament
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Senior send off.
The Central Michigan women's basketball team used a strong second half to in downing Eastern Michigan, 76-69, on Saturday during CMU's Senior Day before 2,405 at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas take a 23-6 record into next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. CMU finished 16-2 in the MAC, winning its fourth-consecutive overall league title and its fifth-straight MAC West crown.
The Chippewas are seeded No. 1 for the league tournament and will play a quarterfinal game on Wednesday, March 11 (noon). They will take on either Akron or Toledo. Those two teams are scheduled to meet on a first-round game on Monday night in Akron.
How It Happened
The Chippewas played catchup for much of the day in a game marked by runs.
Eastern Michigan led, 41-27, at halftime. CMU opened the second half with a 21-6 spurt in seizing a 48-47 lead.
Eastern went back in front, leading by as many as five points, 59-54, in the fourth quarter. The Chippewas finished off the Eagles with a 22-6 spurt that was sparked by a Molly Davis 3-pointer.
CMU outscored Eastern Michigan, 49-28, in the second half.
"I was really proud of the way we responded in the second half," CMU coach Heather Oesterle said. "This morning (shootaround), I didn't think our shooting was as focused as it needed to be, and I was kind of stressing about it towards game time, and we came out like we did at shootaround.
"I kind of went after them at halftime to just play with some pride. We had some good guard play in the third quarter. As soon as (Micaela Kelly) hit that 3-pointer to open up the third quarter, I thought we were going to be just fine."
Team Stats
CMU made nine of its 15 3-point field goals in the second half after making just two of 15 in the first half.
CMU outrebounded Eastern Michigan 48-34. The 48 rebounds are the third most of the season and second most in conference play for the Chippewas in 2019-20.
Individual Stats
Kelly scored 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 10 assists for her second triple-double of the season.
Kyra Bussell added 18 points, and Davis had 13 points and nine rebounds, one shy of her career high.
Senior Moment
CMU honored seniors Mackenna Kelly and Gabrielle Bird. Both were introduced, along with members of their respective families, prior to the game.
"We came out with our families, which was nice to have them there to recognize (us)," Bird said. "Just going into the game and being here one last time is happy (and) sad. I love playing in McGuirk Arena. It's one of the best atmosphere's to be in."
Kelly, who hails from Frankfort (pop. 1,286), had a large contingent of hometown folks in McGuirk to commemorate her final home game as a Chippewa.
"They've been there the entire way," Kelly said. "A lot of people there have said, 'I want to make it (to a game) for so long' and they're finally here. I know that'll continue throughout my life and I've always (felt their support) from when I was young. So, it's great to see it continuing."
Both Mackenna Kelly and Bird have been key contributors as CMU's top two players off the bench this season. In addition, the two have played major roles with the way the program has been built, first by former coach Sue Guevara and now by Oesterle.
"I've said it a lot this year, the reason why we're doing so well is because of these two and how they bought into the (coaching) transition," Oesterle said. "I couldn't ask for more. Sometimes I get emotional thinking about what they bring to us, and what they've done for us over their careers. They go from maybe being the best shooter on the scout team, to be a major focus for (our opponents).
"They've played every role for us here. And this year, I really personally appreciate all the leadership and loyalty to our staff that they've given."
The Central Michigan women's basketball team used a strong second half to in downing Eastern Michigan, 76-69, on Saturday during CMU's Senior Day before 2,405 at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas take a 23-6 record into next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. CMU finished 16-2 in the MAC, winning its fourth-consecutive overall league title and its fifth-straight MAC West crown.
The Chippewas are seeded No. 1 for the league tournament and will play a quarterfinal game on Wednesday, March 11 (noon). They will take on either Akron or Toledo. Those two teams are scheduled to meet on a first-round game on Monday night in Akron.
How It Happened
The Chippewas played catchup for much of the day in a game marked by runs.
Eastern Michigan led, 41-27, at halftime. CMU opened the second half with a 21-6 spurt in seizing a 48-47 lead.
Eastern went back in front, leading by as many as five points, 59-54, in the fourth quarter. The Chippewas finished off the Eagles with a 22-6 spurt that was sparked by a Molly Davis 3-pointer.
CMU outscored Eastern Michigan, 49-28, in the second half.
"I was really proud of the way we responded in the second half," CMU coach Heather Oesterle said. "This morning (shootaround), I didn't think our shooting was as focused as it needed to be, and I was kind of stressing about it towards game time, and we came out like we did at shootaround.
"I kind of went after them at halftime to just play with some pride. We had some good guard play in the third quarter. As soon as (Micaela Kelly) hit that 3-pointer to open up the third quarter, I thought we were going to be just fine."
Team Stats
CMU made nine of its 15 3-point field goals in the second half after making just two of 15 in the first half.
CMU outrebounded Eastern Michigan 48-34. The 48 rebounds are the third most of the season and second most in conference play for the Chippewas in 2019-20.
Individual Stats
Kelly scored 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 10 assists for her second triple-double of the season.
Kyra Bussell added 18 points, and Davis had 13 points and nine rebounds, one shy of her career high.
Senior Moment
CMU honored seniors Mackenna Kelly and Gabrielle Bird. Both were introduced, along with members of their respective families, prior to the game.
"We came out with our families, which was nice to have them there to recognize (us)," Bird said. "Just going into the game and being here one last time is happy (and) sad. I love playing in McGuirk Arena. It's one of the best atmosphere's to be in."
Kelly, who hails from Frankfort (pop. 1,286), had a large contingent of hometown folks in McGuirk to commemorate her final home game as a Chippewa.
"They've been there the entire way," Kelly said. "A lot of people there have said, 'I want to make it (to a game) for so long' and they're finally here. I know that'll continue throughout my life and I've always (felt their support) from when I was young. So, it's great to see it continuing."
Both Mackenna Kelly and Bird have been key contributors as CMU's top two players off the bench this season. In addition, the two have played major roles with the way the program has been built, first by former coach Sue Guevara and now by Oesterle.
"I've said it a lot this year, the reason why we're doing so well is because of these two and how they bought into the (coaching) transition," Oesterle said. "I couldn't ask for more. Sometimes I get emotional thinking about what they bring to us, and what they've done for us over their careers. They go from maybe being the best shooter on the scout team, to be a major focus for (our opponents).
"They've played every role for us here. And this year, I really personally appreciate all the leadership and loyalty to our staff that they've given."
Team Stats
EMU
CMU
FG%
.362
.426
3FG%
.348
.393
FT%
.688
.765
RB
34
48
TO
7
16
STL
8
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
8
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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