Central Michigan blows past Indiana State in women's basketball season opener


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Central Michigan's freshman Presley Hudson drives to the basket against Indiana State's Rhagen Smith at McGuirk Arena on Nov. 11, 2015.

There were question marks coming into the season opener about Central Michigan women’s basketball team, but those questions may have been answered tonight.

The Chippewas led from start to finish and were led by freshman Presley Hudson in an 85-65 win over Indiana State Friday at McGuirk Arena.

In her first game as a Chippewa, Presley Hudson hit her very first shot, a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give CMU a 3-0 lead eight seconds into the game. CMU would not look back, and neither would Hudson.

“We had the play from the tip-off,” Hudson said. “So I’ve kind of just been visualizing myself making that shot off the screen, and I ended up making it, so it ended up working.”

The Wayland native finished the game with 21 points, on 8-for-15 shooting also grabbing five rebounds and adding five assists.

In just her first game in a CMU jersey, Hudson has already gained the trust from CMU Head Coach Sue Guevara.

“I was happy with Presley,” Guevara said. “When we need a basket I want the ball in her hands. Every shot Presley puts up I expect to go in, every single one because of the work she puts in every day.”

CMU could seemingly do no wrong on the offensive end as six Chippewas’ scored in double figures on the night.

“I think it’s a really good thing because you just can’t focus on one player,” Guevara said. “I was just happy our fans got to see us play the way we did.”

Among those six players were also senior point guard Da’Jourie Turner, who scored 15 points, and redshirt junior forward Jewel Cotton, who added 10 points in her first game back after suffering a season-ending torn ACL injury last season.

“I was nervous,” Cotton said. “I was nervous when I woke up, I couldn’t even sleep, but being out there it felt like I belonged. It felt really good.”

It was all CMU from the opening tip-off as the Chippewas jumped out to an early 14-4 lead halfway through the first quarter.

That lead would balloon to 37-14 late in the second quarter as CMU’s offense was nearly unstoppable. The Chippewas went into the half leading 44-23. CMU led by as many as 30 late in the third quarter.

“It’s like putting all the pieces to the puzzle together,” Cotton said. “We finally got it complete, and we can show it off.”

CMU’s tandem of Hudson and Turner caused matchup problems for the Sycamores as the Chippewas were able to push the pace and control the tempo with the two point guards on the floor.

“They’re two tough little birds,” Guevara said about Hudson and Turner. “They’re just so different, and they’re fun to coach.”

With the new time format in women’s basketball going from two 20-minute halves to four 10-minute quarters, the Chippewas were able to get out in transition, and also get all 12 players in the game.

“I like it, it lends itself to a faster game,” Guevara said. “Which means the bench better be ready to play. We have fresh legs, and we don’t have to take contested shots.”

Not only did CMU control the game with its guard play, the Chippewas also owned the paint outscoring ISU 44-26 in the low post, and outrebounding the Sycamores 48-30.

Forward Tinara Moore added 12 points, 10 of which came from inside the paint. Freshman Reyna Frost had a game-high eight rebounds.

The Chippewas defense stifled Indiana State holding the Sycamores to 35 percent from the field in the first half, and 10 percent from the 3-point line.

Guevara said she was pleased with the play of freshmen.

“Our babies got some experienced today, which is a really good thing” she said. “We have the depth, we just have to get the depth some experience.”

CMU takes on Oakland Sunday at the Athletics Center O’rena in Rochester, Michigan at 3:30 p.m. 

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