Women's basketball falls to Middle Tennessee State
Winning on the road was something the Central Michigan women’s basketball team hadn't done coming into its final non-conference road game of the season.
CMU (8-4) lost to Middle Tennessee State (5-6), 79-69 to finish its non-conference road record at 0-3.
"We lost to a good team tonight, despite their record they have lost to some really good teams if you look at their schedule," Guevara said of the losing effort. "We just missed a lot of open shots and free throws at big times, and they didn't."
The Chippewas turned the ball over 15 times and allowed the Blue Raiders to attempt 23 free throws and they didn't waste the opportunities, making 21 of them. That proved to be a huge difference in the outcome of the game.
Guevara thought the high number in fouls was just a result of the way the game was played out.
"It was just how the officials called the game, we couldn't make our free throws at the right times," Guevara said. "We went 9-for-15 from the line, and if we make a few more of those, like 13 or so, the game would be closer. Really, we just missed them at key points in the game."
Junior forward Tinara Moore lead CMU in scoring with 16 points on just over 58 percent shooting from the field. She also added six rebounds and four blocks.
Three other Chippewas scored in double figures. Sophomore forward Reyna Frost scored 15 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Sophomore guard Presley Hudson struggled shooting on the night, making just 30 percent of her shots, but went 3-for-4 from the free throw line and finished with 10 points.
Senior forward Jewel Cotton returned from her high ankle sprain and scored 10 points after a slow start in the first half. She also added three rebounds and a pair of steals.
CMU shot 49 percent from the field for the game, but couldn't keep Middle Tennessee State off of the free throw line, making it hard for CMU to get back in the game.
The Chippewas led 18-17 in the second quarter, but lost it after a Blue Raider 3-pointer with 8:45 left in the second quarter and never got it back.
"It was a lead that they just held us from getting back," Guevara said. "We would claw back in but just couldn't overcome the deficit, but when you miss open shots that will happen. We need to make those to open conference play."
CMU will open up Mid-American Conference play on the road against Kent State at 1 p.m. New Years Eve.
