Women’s basketball has rematch with No. 1 Toledo for spot in MAC tournament title game

Senior guard Brandie Baker warms up before Thursday’s game against Bowling Green at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Baker scored fourteen points and had eight assists.(Photo Courtesy of CMU Athletics)

Women’s basketball will have a chance for revenge against Toledo when they play in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament today at noon.

After falling to the Rockets at home 76-63, Toledo took over the No. 1 spot in the MAC West and eventually claimed the regular-season title.

Shortly after the game, head coach Sue Guevara addressed the crowd and hinted at a possible rematch in the conference tournament.

Her prediction was accurate.

Toledo received a bye to the semifinals and has been off since March 6.

CMU is coming off an impressive 81-48 blowout against Bowling Green in the quarterfinals, after losing the only matchup of the season to the Falcons 84-59 at the Stroh Center.

Sophomore guard Crystal Bradford missed out on MAC Player of the Year honors but now looks to be in the hunt for MAC tournament MVP. Bradford led the Chippewas with 23 points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks against Bowling Green, and her team will be looking for her against Toledo.

After being moved to point guard, senior guard Brandie Baker has started to look more comfortable running the offense. In addition to the solid play from Bradford, Baker also had a good game, scoring 14 points along with eight assists and three rebounds. For CMU to move on to the finals, she will also be a big key.

In the final meeting between these two teams, Rockets senior guard Naama Shafir outshined Bradford in a battle of MAC Player of the Year candidates.

Shafir had a huge game with 29 points, five rebounds and three assists. Bradford was held to six points and came close to fouling out.

If the first game of the tournament is any sign as to how the Chippewas might play, then this rematch could be a bit different from their last game against Toledo.