Women's basketball falls to Temple, 80-58
Lack of bench contribution and poor defense around the 3-point arc led to an 80-58 loss for the women's basketball team Wednesday against Temple.
After CMU jumped to a 14-4 lead, Temple went on a 12-minute, 33-13 streak to enter halftime ahead 39-27. In that stretch, Temple's Shaqwedia Wallace scored 17 of her team-high 21 points.
The Chippewas came no closer than 10 points the rest of the way. The Owls closed out the game by outscoring the Chippewas 41-31 in the second half.
"We did not attack the zone and we missed a lot of open shots," said coach Sue Guevara.
One thing that Guevara has stressed all season is bench play; something of which she feels the team didn't get enough.
"They had 40 points off their bench tonight, we only had eight," Guevara said. "This is the same team that had 37 points off our bench last game and today we had eight. It's a rollercoaster and that is what I have to change."
The Chippewas were outshot by a large margin, shooting only 7-for-36 from 3-point range.
"We had wide open shots that didn't go in," Guevara said. "We weren't getting into the high post enough and we were 7-for-36 from the three. We have shot the ball much better in the past obviously. Sometimes you live and die by the three and today we died."
The Owls tied its school record for made 3-pointers in a game by connecting on 12-21 of their attempts.
"We switched to a man-to-man," Guevara said. "If you are a good 3-point shooter, (they) have to know what kind of toothpaste you are using. I have to be that close, and we weren't close enough and it is frustrating."
Chan led CMU with 21 points and forward junior Kaihla Szunko contributed 13.
Wallace's team-high 21-point performance added to McCarthy's 11 points. LaKeisha Eaddy also had her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 assists.
CMU's 58 points were the fewest it has scored all season. Its previous low came in 75-65 loss on Jan. 21 against Toledo.
"It makes me feel like I need to get in the gym," said freshman guard Brandie Baker. "We are good, but we aren't as good as we thought we were obviously. We all need to work harder and get better and try to win the next one."
CMU (11-9, 3-4 MAC) plays next at 2 p.m. Saturday against Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
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