With veterans struggling, women’s basketball turns to underclassmen
With offensive struggles plaguing Central Michigan University women’s basketball team, the Chippewas were desperately seeking for someone not named Crystal Bradford to step up.
Despite a 74-72 heart-breaking loss to Akron University on Saturday at McGuirk Arena, CMU received contributions from a few players.
Freshman forward Tinara Moore had a breakout performance, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. She also blocked five shots. It was Moore’s first career double-double.
Moore credited her teammates for her impressive showing on the court on Saturday.
“I was pretty active,” Moore said. “It was my team that was getting the shots up so I could rebound the ball.”
Moore’s presence inside forced Akron players to take bad shots and helped CMU hold the Zips to 38 percent shooting from the field.
“I was just being physical and confident,” Moore said.
CMU senior forward Kerby Tamm shot 6-of-9 from the 3-point line and led the Chippewas with 20 points.
“As a shooter you always have to come out and shoot the ball and expect it to go in,” Tamm said. “I’m not going to hesitate. My teammates found me along the perimeter, so credit to them. Just have to keep building off of it.”
Lorreal Jones, another senior, added 12 points, 10 of which came in the first half. Jones’ performance in the first period helped the Chippewas stay in the game as Bradford struggled.
Bradford was 0-7 from the field and was held scoreless in the first half, but with Moore, Jones, and Tamm adding offense, CMU was able to take a 40-36 lead into the halftime break.
CMU coach Sue Guevara was pleased with her role-players.
“(Moore) gave us good minutes,” Guevara said. “That’s what we need. She was able to score, I thought she was tougher today, and I thought she grew up today. It was really good for her confidence, and it was really good for mine.”
Bradford finished the game 5-of-23 from the field with all 13 of her points coming in the second half to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists and six steals.
“It’s not all on CB , it just isn’t,” Guevara said. “Maybe she’s not scoring right now, but she is doing some other things that we need.”
Guevara said the showing from Bradford’s teammates was encouraging, but consistency from the group will be the key to success.
“It was nice to see our freshmen contribute today,” Guevara said. “Now, what will they be like in practice on Monday?”
