Strong second half gives women’s basketball team win against WMU

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The Central Michigan women’s basketball team scored 44 points and shot 55 percent in the second half to defeat rival Western Michigan 74-65 on Saturday at Rose Arena.

The win marks the Chippewas’ second consecutive Mid-American Conference victory and moves the team into fourth place in the West Division.

“It was just a good win for us here at home,” said coach Sue Guevara. “We’ve talked about what we wanted to do in the MAC; it’s a step forward.”

A sloppy start to the game – the teams combined for 30 turnovers in the first half – prevented either squad from sustaining any momentum.

CMU (5-11, 2-2 MAC) only trailed 34-30 at halftime, despite being out-rebounded 24-13 and Western Michigan’s 11 second-chance points. Shooting almost was even for both teams as CMU went 10-for-27 (37 percent) from the field compared to WMU’s 12-for-30 (40 percent).

“We got out-hustled in the first half and it kind of sent me through the roof,” Guevara said.

The Chippewas continued to get beaten on the glass in the second half, but were able to come up with some crucial rebounds down the stretch to pull away from the Broncos, who only shot 36.5 percent from the field for the game.

Junior forward Laura Baker came up with four big rebounds down the stretch, including a three-point play with 5:36 remaining in the game that put CMU up for good.

“Today, Laura stepped up real big,” said junior guard Shonda Long, who scored 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. “Kaihla (Szunko) really needs help on the offensive rebounds and defensive end. She came in and did a great job of getting rebounds and playing strong.”

Szunko finished with four rebounds and zero points, the first time she has been held scoreless this season. Despite Szunko’s struggles, freshman guard Jalisa Olive (12 points) helped spark the team with a pair of 3-point field goals that gave CMU the lead after it trailed for much of the game.

“She did a better job in the second half of looking for other people first and then looking for her shot,” Guevara said.

Senior forward Britni Houghton, who led CMU with 23 points, five rebounds and three steals, said Guevara told the team during the last media timeout that rebounding was going to be the difference the rest of the way.

“It inspired us in a way,” Houghton said. “We know we can score; it’s a matter of defending and getting the rebound. It’s not the first shot that kills us, it’s the second and third shot.”

With her 23 points, Houghton moves into sixth place all-time in points scored (1,375) at CMU. She has also moved into fourth place in steals (194) and eighth in field goals made (492).

Senior guard Heidi Warczinsky added 13 points for the Chippewas.

Junior forward Ebony Cleary led the Broncos with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore forward Miame Giden added 14 points and eight rebounds for WMU (5-12, 0-4).

CMU travels to Dekalb, Ill., to play Northern Illinois at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

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