Women playing EMU for first-round MAC tourney bye

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This year’s senior class has made positive improvements over the course of its four-year career.

Central Michigan women’s basketball team finished 6-23 overall and went 2-13 in Mid-American Conference play in 2007-08. That was the freshmen season for guards Shonda Long and Camille Ramsey, as well as forwards Kaihla Szunko and Laura Baker.

Now, as seniors, they currently hold an 18-8 record overall and are 10-4 in MAC play.

These seniors have helped provide a 12-game turnaround, with at least three games still remaining. Two remain in the regular season, with the MAC tournament beginning March 5.

“We have to give every ounce of energy that we have against Eastern Michigan and for our seniors,” said head coach Sue Guevara.

CMU will get its chance to add to the win column on senior day at 3 p.m. Saturday against EMU at McGuirk Arena.

The time between the seniors and McGuirk Arena was short-lived, but it was time well spent.

The Chippewas are 8-2 at home this season, a far cry from the 2-9 record that the seniors posted their freshman year.

“I’m looking forward to it, but I’m not ready to be done,” Szunko said.

It may be a day for the senior class, but basketball is a team game.

Four seniors can’t win alone, but they can help lead a team. CMU is in the midst of a tight battle for a first-round bye into the MAC tournament.

The Chippewas beat the Eagles 76-67 on Jan. 12 in Ypsilanti. Once again, it was a balanced effort that propelled them to victory.

And, ironically, it all comes down to this for these two in-state rivals. A 65-64 loss to Toledo on Wednesday night put EMU (18-10 overall, 9-5 MAC) one game behind CMU for second in the MAC West.

If CMU wants a first-round bye, Saturday’s game is the chance to do it. If it falters against EMU, it puts itself in a much more difficult situation.

The Chippewas travel to Toledo, Ohio, to play the Rockets on March 2 for their final game of the regular season.

The Rockets are 21-6 overall and 13-1 in the MAC. Its lone MAC loss came from CMU.

For the Chippewas, it’s simple.

Win and you earn a bye.

Lose and you earn yourself a much more meaningful game against a team that wants revenge on its home court.

“Everyone knows were going to come out real hard,” Szunko said. “Saturday’s game is going to be a really good game and we are going to play for each other and our seniors.”

Ball State win

CMU continued to put the lackluster performance against Northern Illinois behind it.

Since the 59-45 loss on Feb. 16, the Chippewas have won two straight, including an 81-66 victory over Ball State on Wednesday.

The defense for CMU proved itself once again. It forced 29 turnovers and held The Cardinals’ two leading scorers to a combined 20 points.

The Chippewas had five scorers in double-figures.

“We played a really tough, physical, aggressive team,” Guevara said about Ball State. “They were doing everything they possibly could to win.”