Saturday, January 16
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
1 P.M.
Central Michigan University
7-4,5-2MAC
84
vs
93
Ohio
6-4,4-3MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Ohio
26
15
24
28
93
Central Mich.
14
18
20
32
84
Photo by: Keara Chaperon '22
CMU Women Fall Short In Comeback Bid
1/16/2021 4:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan mounted a frantic comeback before coming up short on Saturday as the Chippewas dropped a 93-84 Mid-American Conference women's basketball game to Ohio at McGuirk Arena.
The loss capped a tough week for the Chippewas, who lost 104-73 on Wednesday at Northern Illinois and now stand 7-4, 5-2 MAC.
Ohio, one of the top contenders vying to unseat the four-time defending MAC-champion Chippewas, is 6-4, 4-3.
"That was a disappointing loss at home," second-year CMU coach Heather Oesterle said. "The first quarter the last two games we've gotten punched hard and we haven't fought back and that's the disappointing part because this team is better than that.
"Right now, the message is, 'Where's our heart?' If winning a championship is still our goal, we need to pick it up. We're not playing like a championship team at all right now. We've given up almost 200 points the last two games and that's unacceptable."
How It Happened
The Bobcats built a 26-14 lead after one quarter and kept the Chippewas at a comfortable distance through most of the rest of the game.
CMU's deficit reached as many as 18 points on several occasions, and the Chippewas were down 10, 83-73, with under two minutes to play.
CMU then mounted a valiant comeback effort, drawing to within five, 89-84, with 30 seconds left, but could get no closer as they went scoreless the rest of the way and the Bobcats made all four of their free throw attempts in the final 20 seconds.
"When we started pressing at the end, that's us, that's Central Michigan, that's the energy we need to play with," Oesterle said. "Right now, we're lacking that energy, especially in the first quarter.
"I thought we had a good pressing lineup in there … if we can't get stops in the half court, we might have to extend our defense to the full court and try to turn people over and that can get us going offensively."
Leaders
Micaela Kelly scored 36 points and Molly Davis added 20 for the Chippewas, while Jahari Smith posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Erica Johnson and Cierra Hooks scored 26 points apiece for Ohio, which made 26 of its 30 free throw attempts.
Big Week For Kelly
It was the second-consecutive 30-point game for Kelly, who had 33 on Wednesday at NIU. Kelly, the reigning MAC Player of the Year, has three 30-point efforts this season and six in her career. Her 36 against Ohio marks the second-highest point total of her career. She finished a combined 24 of 44 from the floor in the games against NIU and Ohio.
"She's playing well, she's shooting it well, she's tough but we've just got to get her a little more help," Oesterle said. "The reason why we've been so good is because of our balance and right now we don't have the balance. Right now, we have two, maybe three players who can score."
Smith's Double-Double
Smith's double-double was her first of the season and third of her career. She matched her career high with 12 rebounds and her 11 points matches her second-highest total of the season and it came after she went scoreless at NIU.
"When she's confident she really helps us," Oesterle said. "She's our best offensive rebounder. I guess I'm just looking for a little bit more consistency -- a double-double today and I don't think she scored against NIU. If we can get a consistent Jahari that would really help us."
Next
The Chippewas are scheduled to entertain Eastern Michigan in a MAC game on Wednesday, Jan. 20 (5 p.m.).
"We need to get back to the basics on Monday," Oesterle said. "We've hit a little speed bump here and we need to respond. What's the character of this team? How do they come out on Monday and Tuesday and get ready for Eastern Michigan?"
The loss capped a tough week for the Chippewas, who lost 104-73 on Wednesday at Northern Illinois and now stand 7-4, 5-2 MAC.
Ohio, one of the top contenders vying to unseat the four-time defending MAC-champion Chippewas, is 6-4, 4-3.
"That was a disappointing loss at home," second-year CMU coach Heather Oesterle said. "The first quarter the last two games we've gotten punched hard and we haven't fought back and that's the disappointing part because this team is better than that.
"Right now, the message is, 'Where's our heart?' If winning a championship is still our goal, we need to pick it up. We're not playing like a championship team at all right now. We've given up almost 200 points the last two games and that's unacceptable."
How It Happened
The Bobcats built a 26-14 lead after one quarter and kept the Chippewas at a comfortable distance through most of the rest of the game.
CMU's deficit reached as many as 18 points on several occasions, and the Chippewas were down 10, 83-73, with under two minutes to play.
CMU then mounted a valiant comeback effort, drawing to within five, 89-84, with 30 seconds left, but could get no closer as they went scoreless the rest of the way and the Bobcats made all four of their free throw attempts in the final 20 seconds.
"When we started pressing at the end, that's us, that's Central Michigan, that's the energy we need to play with," Oesterle said. "Right now, we're lacking that energy, especially in the first quarter.
"I thought we had a good pressing lineup in there … if we can't get stops in the half court, we might have to extend our defense to the full court and try to turn people over and that can get us going offensively."
Leaders
Micaela Kelly scored 36 points and Molly Davis added 20 for the Chippewas, while Jahari Smith posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Erica Johnson and Cierra Hooks scored 26 points apiece for Ohio, which made 26 of its 30 free throw attempts.
Big Week For Kelly
It was the second-consecutive 30-point game for Kelly, who had 33 on Wednesday at NIU. Kelly, the reigning MAC Player of the Year, has three 30-point efforts this season and six in her career. Her 36 against Ohio marks the second-highest point total of her career. She finished a combined 24 of 44 from the floor in the games against NIU and Ohio.
"She's playing well, she's shooting it well, she's tough but we've just got to get her a little more help," Oesterle said. "The reason why we've been so good is because of our balance and right now we don't have the balance. Right now, we have two, maybe three players who can score."
Smith's Double-Double
Smith's double-double was her first of the season and third of her career. She matched her career high with 12 rebounds and her 11 points matches her second-highest total of the season and it came after she went scoreless at NIU.
"When she's confident she really helps us," Oesterle said. "She's our best offensive rebounder. I guess I'm just looking for a little bit more consistency -- a double-double today and I don't think she scored against NIU. If we can get a consistent Jahari that would really help us."
Next
The Chippewas are scheduled to entertain Eastern Michigan in a MAC game on Wednesday, Jan. 20 (5 p.m.).
"We need to get back to the basics on Monday," Oesterle said. "We've hit a little speed bump here and we need to respond. What's the character of this team? How do they come out on Monday and Tuesday and get ready for Eastern Michigan?"
Team Stats
Ohio
CMU
FG%
.475
.492
3FG%
.409
.320
FT%
.867
.889
RB
32
32
TO
17
22
STL
12
12
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
36
FGM
13
3FGM
4
FTM
6
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
0
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Players Mentioned
G
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