Women's basketball loses to Oregon in NCAA Tournament, reflect on historic season
Senior forward Tinara Moore posts up against Oregon Ducks sophomore forward Mallory McGwire on March 24 at Spokane Arena.
SPOKANE, Washington — Sue Guevara, Presley Hudson, Tinara Moore and Cassie Breen held back tears at the postgame press conference after an 83-69 loss to Oregon in the NCAA Tournament March 24.
The Chippewas were coming off one of the greatest seasons in CMU history. Breen still smiled because she, like most Chippewa fans, knew that this season was something to be proud of.
CMU finished with a program-high 30 wins in its 50th season. The Chippewas earned their first and second NCAA Tournament wins in program history, and seniors Moore and Breen etched their names into the record books. Breen became CMU's leading 3-point scorer in history and Moore finished with a record-high 215 blocks in four years.
"I love this team. I couldn't be more proud of the effort they gave today and that they've given all season," Guevara said, after CMU lost its first game since mid-February.
The Chippewas fell behind by 12 points in the first quarter, then couldn't come back and close the gap throughout the rest of the game in front of 5,084 fans in Spokane Arena.
"It all came down to the first quarter," Guevara said. "We had some open looks – looks that usually go in – that did not go in."
Following Central Michigan's loss, Oregon head coach Kelly Graves praised the Chippewa performance.
"The run they made is pretty special," Graves said. "Those kids will remember that forever. I'll tell you, they were tough as nails tonight, that's for sure."
Graves also took the time to congratulate Guevara on her deepest NCAA Tournament run.
"I want to congratulate coach Guevara on a tremendous season," he said. "She's a great coach. What I really appreciate is you can tell those players love her and they play really hard for her. I wish Central Michigan all the best."
The Chippewas finished with a 30-5 record as Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament champions. CMU won its first MAC Tournament Championship since 2013.
Buffalo Connection
CMU and Buffalo were bounced from the NCAA Tournament on March 24. Buffalo fell to South Carolina, 79-63 in Albany, New York.
The two teams were the only MAC squads who made the NCAA Tournament. CMU earned an automatic bid for topping Buffalo in the MAC Tournament Championship, and Buffalo earned an at-large bid.
After advancing to the Sweet 16 round, Guevara called Buffalo head coach Felisha Legette-Jack to celebrate the fact that both MAC No. 11 seeds made the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Our team was happy for them and they were very happy for us,” Guevara said. “No. 1 and No. 2 in our league beat Florida State and Ohio State on their home floors, that’s big.”
Buffalo was the only team to beat Central Michigan in the conference regular season. Leading up to the MAC Tournament, many expected Buffalo and CMU to go head-to-head in the tournament championship. And that's exactly what happened.
"We know we are the best team here," Moore said, when asked about the pressure of being the No. 1 seed in the MAC Tournament.
MAC Tournament Championship
On their way to a tournament championship, many Chippewas regarded their trip to Cleveland as something they will never forget.
After the championship game, junior forward Reyna Frost was named Tournament MVP. Along with Moore and redshirt freshman Micaela Kelly, Frost also made the All-MAC Tournament Team.
"2018 Tournament Champions," Guevara said. "You just saw the two best teams in our league going at it. I could not be happier for our program and players."
The Chippewas cut down the nets for the second time in 2018 after doing so when they secured the MAC regular season championship.
In the championship game, Kelly scored a career-high 26 points, going 5-of-6 from the 3-point line. When asked if this was her best ever game, Kelly said there is much more to come.
"I feel like there's still more left (in me)," Kelly said. "It's a package that hasn't been opened yet."
Departing senior class
Moore said her time at CMU has been amazing in the postgame press conference, but since she played her last game, she became emotional and Guevara spoke on Moore's behalf.
"It's been amazing for what Tinara has gone through," Guevara said. "Obviously she's pretty emotional. Again, if you look at what she has done in the four years of her career here, I don't think we've ever had a player improve as much as she has improved. You know, when you love something so much, it hurts."
Breen also played her final game in a Chippewa jersey, and she had nothing but good things to say about Central Michigan. She leaves the program as the all-time leading 3-point shooter in CMU history. Over her four year collegiate career, she scored over 1,000 points for Central Michigan.
Along with Moore and Breen, senior guards Aleah Swary and Amani Corley will also depart the program. Starters Kelly, Frost and Hudson will be returning to the team next season.
"I'm going to miss 'em a lot," Hudson said, holding back her emotions. "They're family."
