Women’s basketball wins first MAC East game

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The CMU women’s basketball team continued its strong play Saturday, defeating Ohio 59-56 in its fifth consecutive win at Rose Arena.

Four players scored in double-figures for CMU, including a 12-point, eight-rebound performance from junior forward Kaihla Szunko.

The win moves the team to 7-11 on the season and 4-2 in the Mid-American Conference.

Despite shooting 50 percent shooting in the first half, Ohio’s zone defense limited CMU to 20 attempts from the floor and forced 12 turnovers before taking a 28-26 lead into halftime.

“I thought we were being very impatient against (it),” said coach Sue Guevara. “I don’t think we did a good job making the zone shift.”

Ohio (5-14, 1-5 MAC) opened a 26-16 lead with 6:25 remaining in the first half but a late run sparked by senior guards Heidi Warczinsky (seven points, five assists) and Kendra Holman (10 points) tied the game at 26.

The Bobcats extended its halftime lead to 33-26 early in the second half before CMU went on a 9-0 run to take its first lead since going up 2-0 to start the game.

Both teams remained within striking distance of one another for the rest of the game while the Chippewas got critical baskets from Holman and Warczinsky down the stretch to seal the game.

“It wasn’t pretty but our team found a way to grind out a win,” Guevara said. “The team is finding a way to win down the stretch.”

Junior Shonda Long had 12 points while senior forward Britni Houghton added 10 points and four rebounds for CMU.

Senior guard Jennifer Ashby led the Bobcats with a game-high 16 points. Jenny Poff, Ohio’s leading scorer coming into the game, was held to eight points on 2-of-7 shooting.

CMU will continue MAC crossover play when it travels to Kent State at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Check Monday’s CM-Life for expanded coverage of the team’s win.