RAPID REACTION: Toledo 81, Central Michigan 79 (OT)
Toledo's Brenae Harris got to the basket and made the game-winning layup to give the Rockets an 81-79 overtime victory, snapping Central Michigan's eight-game winning streak that started on Jan. 20.
Down the stretch
After Jewel Cotton tied the game at 67 with 5.4 seconds to play in regulation, CMU's Tinara Moore fouled Toledo's Harris. She went to the line and made both free-throws, giving the Rockets a 69-67 lead with 4.2 to play.
Freshman guard Presley Hudson came up in the clutch once again and made the game-tying layup as time expired, sending the game to overtime.
Da'Jourie Turner's potentially game-winning 3-pointer bounced off the front rim as time expired in overtime and the Rockets were victorious.
Turning it on
After Toledo took their largest lead of the game at 11 points, CMU found its rhythm in the third quarter. Cassie Breen scored nine points, all from the free-throw line. Hudson also had nine points in the quarter, all from the 3-point line.
CMU took its first lead of the game when Hudson buried a deep 3-pointer to give the Chippewas a 40-39 advantage. The Rockets responded and carried a 56-54 edge into the final quarter.
The Chippewa defense held the Rockets scoreless for most of the fourth quarter.
Another slow start
CMU Head Coach Sue Guevara said her team couldn't afford to have too many more sluggish starts as the Mid-American Conference tournament approaches.
However, the Chippewas found themselves in a hole early again as the Rockets jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first quarter. CMU turned the ball over on three of their first four possessions.
Toledo carried a 21-12 lead into the second quarter where the Rockets saw their lead grow to 11 points midway through the quarter. CMU battled back and trailed 34-29 at halftime.
What it means
The Chippewas had been on the good side of luck during their eight-game winning streak. That luck ran out on Saturday, but CMU still leads the MAC West Division at 11-3, but Toledo has pulled closer at 10-4 in league play.
Up next
CMU hosts Ball State Wednesday. The Chippewas defeated the Cardinals 74-65 earlier in the season.
