Central Michigan University Athletics
Wednesday, March 2
Mount Pleasant, MI
7 p.m.
Central Michigan University
69
vs
75
Ball State
Photo by: Keara Chaperon '22
WBB Drops Home Finale
3/2/2022 10:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Ball State outscored Central Michigan, 13-0, over the final 3:45 on Wednesday in downing the Chippewas, 75-69, in a Mid-American Conference women's basketball game at McGuirk Arena.
It was CMU's home finale and the Chippewas, bolstered by the return from injury by leading scorer Molly Davis, turned an inspiring performance.
"I was really proud of our team today," CMU coach Heather Oesterle said. "I thought we started the game really well and we hit our cold streak, unfortunately, in the fourth quarter. It's been kind of our issue all year … but I was really proud of them, they did play very hard for the whole game."
The Chippewas (4-24, 2-17) close the season at Northern Illinois on Saturday (2 p.m.). The Huskies (13-14, 10-9) fell, 56-74, at MAC-leading Toledo on Wednesday.
CMU hit 10 3-pointers and shot 44.4 percent from the floor and maintained steady momentum throughout the game. The Chippewas led, 39-34, at halftime. Tiana Timpe beat the third-quarter buzzer with a 3-pointer to put CMU in front, 59-57, heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Chippewas led, 69-62, when Chyna Latimer hit a jumper with 3:53 to play, touching off Ball State's game-closing run.
The Cardinals took the lead, 71-69, on an Annie Rauch jumper with 43 seconds left. The Chippewas committed a costly over-and-back turnover with 18 seconds left that gave the ball back to Ball State. The Cardinals made three free throws in the waning seconds to ice it.
"I was just sitting (on the sideline) thinking, we haven't been in a lot of close games this year," Oesterle said. "That's where you learn how to execute down the stretch. That crucial turnover at half-court was basically for a lack of experience with being in close games like that."
Davis, who missed the last three games, led CMU with 17 points and five assists. Anika Weekes recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. She hit a career-high four 3-pointers on six attempts.
Jahari Smith and Lisa Tesson each finished with 13 points. Smith grabbed eight rebounds.
"I wish it was more consistent but at the same time, that's not how the dice rolls," Weekes said. "But it feels good to end the last home game on a good note."
It was CMU's home finale and the Chippewas, bolstered by the return from injury by leading scorer Molly Davis, turned an inspiring performance.
"I was really proud of our team today," CMU coach Heather Oesterle said. "I thought we started the game really well and we hit our cold streak, unfortunately, in the fourth quarter. It's been kind of our issue all year … but I was really proud of them, they did play very hard for the whole game."
The Chippewas (4-24, 2-17) close the season at Northern Illinois on Saturday (2 p.m.). The Huskies (13-14, 10-9) fell, 56-74, at MAC-leading Toledo on Wednesday.
CMU hit 10 3-pointers and shot 44.4 percent from the floor and maintained steady momentum throughout the game. The Chippewas led, 39-34, at halftime. Tiana Timpe beat the third-quarter buzzer with a 3-pointer to put CMU in front, 59-57, heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Chippewas led, 69-62, when Chyna Latimer hit a jumper with 3:53 to play, touching off Ball State's game-closing run.
The Cardinals took the lead, 71-69, on an Annie Rauch jumper with 43 seconds left. The Chippewas committed a costly over-and-back turnover with 18 seconds left that gave the ball back to Ball State. The Cardinals made three free throws in the waning seconds to ice it.
"I was just sitting (on the sideline) thinking, we haven't been in a lot of close games this year," Oesterle said. "That's where you learn how to execute down the stretch. That crucial turnover at half-court was basically for a lack of experience with being in close games like that."
Davis, who missed the last three games, led CMU with 17 points and five assists. Anika Weekes recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. She hit a career-high four 3-pointers on six attempts.
Jahari Smith and Lisa Tesson each finished with 13 points. Smith grabbed eight rebounds.
"I wish it was more consistent but at the same time, that's not how the dice rolls," Weekes said. "But it feels good to end the last home game on a good note."
Players Mentioned
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