Houghton sets single-game scoring record as women’s basketball team wins in double overtime

The Central Michigan women’s basketball team won a double-overtime thriller Saturday to move into a second-place tie in the Mid-American Conference West Division, defeating Eastern Michigan 113-107 at Rose Arena.

Senior forward Britni Houghton set a CMU single-game scoring record with a career-high 38 points on 16-of-21 shooting. She also moves into fourth place all-time in points scored with 1,522.

“It is definitely a privilege and I’m very honored,” said Houghton. “The last couple of days I’ve had a really bad cold and haven’t been able to practice a lot. I just wanted to come out today and fight through it.”

CMU (11-14, 8-5 MAC) shot 54.4 percent from the field for the game, including a crucial 8-of-13 in overtime.

The Chippewas got a layup from junior forward Skylar Miller with 3:16 remaining in the second overtime that proved to be the game-winner. Junior guard Shonda Long (19 points) added a basket and steal to solidify the game for the Chippewas.

“I thought our team played one heck of a game today,” coach Sue Guevara said. “We toughed it out and beat a good Eastern Michigan team.”

Houghton hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining in the first overtime to tie the game at 102.

Freshman guard Rachel Mauk, who finished the game with a career-high 21 points, missed a layup with two seconds remaining in regulation that would have won the game for CMU.

Despite facing foul trouble, junior guard Shonda Long scored 19 points and forward Kaihla Szunko had 15 points and nine rebounds before fouling with 21 seconds remaining in regulation.

Junior guard Sydney Huntley scored 36 points on 12-of-22 shooting, including 8-of-14 from 3-point range, for Eastern Michigan (18-7, 8-5 MAC). Huntley scored 17 consecutive points for EMU in the second half.

“She was unbelievable today,” Guevara said. “We forced other kids from Eastern to step up and they did.”

Sophomore forward Paige Redditt added 23 points and eight rebounds, while EMU’s leading scorers Tavelyn James and Cassie Schrock were limited to five and 10 points, respectively.

CMU went 31-of-38 from the free throw line and out rebounded the Eagles 44-40.

The win moves CMU into a second place tie with the EMU and two games behind first place Toledo (10-3), who lost against Northern Illinois 73-67 on Saturday in DeKalb, Ill.