Women’s basketball splits a pair of overtime games in Alaska

• Tweet
• 

It was an up and down week of play for the Central Michigan women’s basketball.

The Chippewas started their week with a loss on Wednesday against South Florida, but were able to breathe a sigh of relief Thursday after getting their first win of the season at the Great Alaskan Shootout against Alaska-Anchorage 90-84 in overtime.

“It was good to see our team execute and finish the game off,” said head coach Sue Guevara.

CMU saw its lead dwindle down to one at the half after taking a 10-point lead. The Seawolves continued to pressure CMU, gaining a 10-point lead late in the second half.

“We had a couple lapses in our defense, especially in our perimeter play,” Guevara said.

But the Chippewas didn’t quit.

Junior guard Brandie Baker knocked down a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left, tying the game at 73.

CMU never trailed in overtime, scoring the first four points and outscoring UAA 17-11 during that stretch.

“Our bench was really big in this game,” Guevara said.

Freshman guard Kerby Tamm hit four big 3-pointers and sophomore forward Lauren Bellamy played strong down the stretch in the post off the bench.

“We were 0-4 and really needed a win,” said freshman guard Crystal Bradford. “It was a big team effort win.”

Bradford had another good night, despite fouling out in the overtime. She had 13 points, six assists, five rebounds and two blocks.

Baker lad the team in scoring with 14 points.

South Florida

Wednesday night was a different outcome.

The Chippewas started the tournament against South Florida and found themselves in another overtime game, but wound up on the losing end, 86-80.

CMU had a 74-72 lead, but fouled a USF shooter on a 3-point attempt with less than a second left and it resulted in 2-of-3 makes for the Bulls.

“We had turnovers down the stretch and we tried to block a shot at the end of regulation instead of just putting a hand in her face and those are freshman mistakes,” said Guevara. “Those are tough lessons to learn.”

Bradford scored 22 points, hauled in 17 rebounds and had four blocks, getting offensive and defensive player of the game. It also helped her get named to the All-Tournament Team.

“She (Bradford) was pretty consistent and is getting better and better,” Guevara said. “Once we get her to have the same consistency on the defensive end as the offensive end, she is going to be tough.”

Sophomore forward Taylor Johnson was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules prior to the tournament. Guevara declined to comment on the situation.