CMU women clinch share of MAC regular-season championship with win at NIU
Central Michigan coach Heather Oesterle coaches during a timeout against Bowling Green Feb. 15 at McGuirk Arena.
Heather Oesterle's first season as the head coach of the Central Michigan women's basketball team has resulted in a division title.
CMU defeated Northern Illinois 70-66 in the NIU Convocation Center to clinch a share its fifth-straight Mid-American Conference West Division title and fourth-straight MAC regular-season championship.
With four games left in the regular season, the Chippewas have a four-game lead over both Ball State and Ohio.
The Chippewas were picked to win the MAC West Division in the preseason in a poll of coaches throughout the conference.
Ohio was picked to win the East, take the overall regular-season title and win the MAC Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio.
A win for CMU in any of its final four games clinches the division and overall conference title.
How it happened
After CMU jumped out to a 16-14 lead in the first quarter, the Huskies countered to tie the game at 33 to the break.
CMU did not trail at any point in Saturday's game but were challenged as the Huskies hung around and cut their deficit down to two points with less than a minute to play.
Bussell and freshman guard Molly Davis, who finished with eight points, hit free throws in the game's final minute to seal the victory. CMU has won 14 games in a row dating back to Dec. 30 against Central Florida.
"This is a hell of a win," Oesterle said. "Northern, they gave us everything they had and that's a good team. I'm just really proud of the way we came in here and found a way to win. It's a good win."
Chippewa leaders
The Chippewas (21-4, 14-0) can claim both the overall and West championships if they defeat arch rival Western Michigan on Wednesday in McGuirk Arena.
Junior forward Kyra Bussell led the Chippewas against the Huskies with 25 points and completing a double-double with 11 rebounds. She shot 62.5 percent (5-of-8) from 3-point range. Bussell also had three steals and a block.
Micaela Kelly continued her strong scoring pace with 14 points while adding seven assists, a block and a steal.
Senior forward Gabi Bird rounded out the Chippewas in double figures with 12 points, all of her points came from beyond the arc, Bird added seven rebounds, a pair of steals and a block.
Up next
In the last meeting between CMU and WMU on Jan. 18 in Read Fieldhouse, the Broncos carried the lead into the fourth quarter before the Chippewas scored 31 points in the final frame to secure the 80-70 victory.
The Chippewas and the Broncos tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday in McGuirk Arena.
