Bradford’s big second half keeps UMass at bay
With Central Michigan University’s women’s basketball team in need of a spark, senior guard Crystal Bradford provided it, helping the women hold on Sunday for a 72-70 victory over the University of Massachusetts.
Bradford entered the game with CMU clinging to a 49-46 lead on UMass with eight minutes remaining.
The reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year scored 10 points, dished out three assists and had two steals in a three minute span to bulk the Chippewas lead up to 64-48 with less than five minutes to play.
“(Bradford) is a competitor,” said CMU Head Coach Sue Guevara.
Bradford’s third three-pointer of the half sent McGuirk Arena into a frenzy, as the Chippewas had the Minutemen on the ropes.
“We’re a second half team,” Bradford said. “I’m still working on getting my game legs back, but I felt pretty good.”
Bradford scored CMU’s first five points of the second half. Her 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in the second half proved to be the deciding factor in the game.
Five of Bradford’s seven steals came in the second half. She moved into third place all-time in CMU’s basketball history steal’s list.
“I was just watching the player’s eyes,” Bradford said. “I was just being proactive on defense.”
Bradford said both she and the Chippewas could have and should have played better against UMass.
“First game back, so obviously there were a couple of nerves,” Bradford said. “I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing. It might be a good thing, but we just played sluggish today.”
Guevara allowed Bradford to see 29 minutes of action.
“She (Bradford) doesn’t want to come out (of the game),” Guevara said. “She was trying to do too much too soon. When you take three steps forward, you don’t want to take four back.”
