CMU women’s basketball defeats Ohio, snaps five game losing streak


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Graduate student Nadége Jean goes up for a layup during the game against Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in McGuirk Arena. Jean contributed 2 points to the CMU victory over Ohio.

Game tied at 66, freshman guard Sydney Harris’ name was called, and she delivered with a go-ahead three-pointer to give Central Michigan women’s basketball a 69-66 lead with 57 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Ohio Bobcats took one final shot that swirled around the hoop and fell out sending fans at McGuirk arena on their feet as the Chippewas snapped a five-game losing streak on Wednesday. 

“I live for big moments,” Harris said. “I wasn't really shooting the best shot like percentage wise today, but I know how to trust me to take that shot anytime, so I knew once it left my hand, it was going in.”

The Chippewas move to 4-14 overall and 2-5 in Mid-American conference play. 

“I wouldn't say (I’m) satisfied because our record still isn't good. We still have games, we need to win,” Harris said. “A win is a win. And this one will really help us to build our confidence back up to know that we can finish a game and win one just like we did.” 

Harris ended the game with 22 points, going 7-for-20 from the field while also putting up five rebounds and two steals. 

On the defensive end, freshman guard Taylor Anderson caused disruption for the Bobcats with 13 rebounds, seven assists, six points and three steals. 

“(Anderson) plays so hard, she makes stuff happen,” head coach Heather Oesterle said. “I was really proud of our freshman class.”

Sophomore guard Tiana Timpe hit a season-high four three-pointers in the game to end the win with 12 points. 

The deep attack got the Chippewas out to a 13-7 lead to start the first quarter, as they went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. CMU continued its momentum to extend its lead to 10. However, the Bobcats ended the quarter on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 19-15 heading into the second. 

In the first quarter, the Chippewas were led by Harris who put up 10 points along with two steals and a block. 

CMU shot right back to begin the second quarter, going on a 6-0 run to push its lead to double-digits, 25-15. Following a 10-3 run from the Bobcats to put them within two, the Chippewas scored five-straight points to head into halftime with the 39-32 lead.

Ohio took control to begin the second half, outscoring CMU 15-6 to give the Bobcats their first lead of the night, 47-45. With the Bobcats up by one with time winding down, sophomore guard Karrington Gordon hit a layup with seven seconds remaining in the quarter to give the Chippewas the 58-57 lead heading into the fourth. 

With 5:43 left in the game, Harris hit a three-pointer that gave CMU the 66-61 lead. However, Ohio guard Yaya Felder scored five-straight points for the Bobcats to tie the game at 66 with 1:25 left to play. Following a timeout, Harris delivered again for the Chippewas with a go-ahead three-pointer to give CMU the 69-66 lead. Following a missed three-pointer on the other end, the Chippewas secured the win against Ohio. 

“We made the plays, we needed to make down the stretch,” Oesterle said. “Like the stops and the rebounds. But when we needed them, I thought we got a little frantic to put it nicely… I just thought we battled. We battled for four quarters.”

Scoring 40 points for the Bobcats, Felder claimed the record for most points by a player in a MAC game this season. 

The Chippewas travel to Oxford, Ohio as they take on Miami (Ohio) on Saturday at 1 p.m. to continue MAC play. 

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