It’s only January, but Sue Guevara’s Chippewas looked March ready, Saturday, as Central Michigan rolled to its second victory over Akron this season, 81-60.

The Chippewas were three points short of hitting the century mark in their 97-77 win over the Zips Jan. 9 in James A. Rhodes Arena and despite the adjustments made by Akron Head Coach Jodi Kest, CMU had too many answers again, Saturday.

“Any time you play a team a second time around you know something is going to change,” said Head Coach Sue Guevara. “The thing we always talk about to attack and dominate the boards."

Guevara said her team focused on keeping Akron's scorers Anita Brown (21.9 points per game), Hanna Plybon (16.3 points per game) and Greta Burry (9.2 points per game) below their usual numbers.

Brown had a game-high 23 points, Plybon had 14 and Burry had 8, however CMU still found a way to pick up its fifth Mid-American Conference win this season.

Four Chippewas scored 14 points or more — all underclassmen.

Freshmen forward Reyna Frost led the way, contributing 18 points and 20 rebounds — four short of the CMU single game record.

Working through a case of plantar fasciitis in both her feet, sophomore Cassie Breen finished with 17 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point range.

Six-foot three-inch sophomore forward Tinara Moore added 15 points and seven rebounds — three rebounds short of her seventh consecutive double-double.

Working through her 3-point struggles, going 0-for-4 today, freshman floor general Presley Hudson quietly tacked on 14 points of her own and four assists.

"We are getting to be a family. Looking at the stats, we had four people in double digits We had points off the bench," Frost said. "We had point guards who can get people the ball. We have people who can finish strong as well. Obviously tonight we were pretty good shooting free throws."

The Game

CMU jumped on Akron early, building a 12-3 lead, forcing an early Akron timeout.

Breen started the game hitting two quick 3-pointers from the corner — her favorite spot on the court.

CMU finished the first quarter up 25-15, but the MAC East’s second-place team outscoring CMU 17-13 in the second quarter.

A steady combination of Hudson, Frost, Breen and 16 free throws boosted the 11-7 Chippewas to a 12-point lead heading into the fourth, where CMU piled on, cruising to the 81-60 victory.

The Chippewas made 26 of their 31 free throws attempts, which — compared to Akron’s 13-of-20 — made the difference in the game, Guevara said.

“The goal is to make more free throws than (the opponent) took,” Guevara said. “That was attacking the glass and limiting them to one shot.”

Guevara said she's happy with Saturday's win, but knows her team is hasn't played its best basketball.

"I don't think we're playing our best yet," Guevara said. "I think this team will continue to improve. Do I think we can get to (the MAC championship)? Yes, but that's a long way away."

Cotton Injury

At the 2:35-mark in the third quarter, redshirt junior guard Jewel Cotton was streaking down the middle on a fast break when she was passed the ball. Cotton caught the ball with two Akron defenders converging on both sides of her.

She planted, twisted and immediately went the ground, clutching her knee in audible agony. Cotton was helped off the floor without putting any weight on her right leg.

She later returned to the CMU bench on crutches and with a large ice wrap around her right knee.

Guevara said she is not aware of the extent of the injury.