2008 Woodie Awards
Women's basketball travels to Kalamazoo for rematch
By: Dave Jones
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
Women's basketball head coach Sue Guevara said her team is a lot better now heading into a Saturday rematch with rival Western Michigan.
CMU lost 67-57 to the Broncos on Jan. 12 at Rose Arena. The Chippewas travel to Kalamazoo for a 2 p.m. matchup.
Guevara said Western Michigan also has improved steadily since the first meeting.
As a result, Guevara is placing a high value on limiting turnovers for Central's upcoming rematch with rival Western Michigan.
"This is a game of mistakes," Guevara said. "Who is going to make less mistakes and who is going to capitalize on them?"
Central's first Mid-American Conference wins came in its last two road games. The Chippewas beat Kent State 87-70 on Feb. 9 in overtime and defeated Buffalo 80-57 Feb. 16.
This is CMU's first game after the win against the Bulls. Tuesday's game against Northern Illinois was canceled after the shooting at NIU.
The week off has given the team time to focus on Western Michigan.
"It's given us a chance to get in the gym and get in some good practices," said sophomore forward Britni Houghton. "Our only two (MAC) wins have come on the road. We're excited."
Western (11-15 overall, 8-4 MAC) boasts two players who average double-digits. Junior guard Tiera DeLaHoussaye averages 11.4 while forward Amanda Parker averages 10.7.
Houghton said CMU's post play, which has been a hinderance, should not be an issue Saturday.
"We size up to them," she said. "They're not too much bigger - we'll have an advantage as opposed to playing a six-three post."
Six-foot Parker is Western's biggest post threat.
Guevara said freshman forward Ebony Cleary is also a point of focus.
"The defense has to be better," Guevara said. "We need to do a better job on Cleary and know how to defend her."
Cleary scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in her team's 10-point win.
"The word is containment," Guevara said. "We need to stay between the player and the basket. Last time, we were hurt in transition."
Central held DeLaHoussaye and Parker to just eight and five points, respectively, in their first game, well below their averages.
CMU (6-18, 2-11 MAC) also plays with a different starting five than they did on Jan. 12. The team has now gone small and it has paid off with two wins and two close losses.
sports@cm-life.com
CMU lost 67-57 to the Broncos on Jan. 12 at Rose Arena. The Chippewas travel to Kalamazoo for a 2 p.m. matchup.
Guevara said Western Michigan also has improved steadily since the first meeting.
As a result, Guevara is placing a high value on limiting turnovers for Central's upcoming rematch with rival Western Michigan.
"This is a game of mistakes," Guevara said. "Who is going to make less mistakes and who is going to capitalize on them?"
Central's first Mid-American Conference wins came in its last two road games. The Chippewas beat Kent State 87-70 on Feb. 9 in overtime and defeated Buffalo 80-57 Feb. 16.
This is CMU's first game after the win against the Bulls. Tuesday's game against Northern Illinois was canceled after the shooting at NIU.
The week off has given the team time to focus on Western Michigan.
"It's given us a chance to get in the gym and get in some good practices," said sophomore forward Britni Houghton. "Our only two (MAC) wins have come on the road. We're excited."
Western (11-15 overall, 8-4 MAC) boasts two players who average double-digits. Junior guard Tiera DeLaHoussaye averages 11.4 while forward Amanda Parker averages 10.7.
Houghton said CMU's post play, which has been a hinderance, should not be an issue Saturday.
"We size up to them," she said. "They're not too much bigger - we'll have an advantage as opposed to playing a six-three post."
Six-foot Parker is Western's biggest post threat.
Guevara said freshman forward Ebony Cleary is also a point of focus.
"The defense has to be better," Guevara said. "We need to do a better job on Cleary and know how to defend her."
Cleary scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in her team's 10-point win.
"The word is containment," Guevara said. "We need to stay between the player and the basket. Last time, we were hurt in transition."
Central held DeLaHoussaye and Parker to just eight and five points, respectively, in their first game, well below their averages.
CMU (6-18, 2-11 MAC) also plays with a different starting five than they did on Jan. 12. The team has now gone small and it has paid off with two wins and two close losses.
sports@cm-life.com
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