CMU women's basketball suffers loss to No. 17 Kentucky
Central Michigan fifth year forward Zareia Chevre shoots the ball at McGuirk Arena, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Chevre scored three points for the Chippewas. (CM-Life | Mary Nowosacki)
The Central Michigan women’s basketball team, now 5-4, fell to No. 17 Kentucky (10-1) on Sunday afternoon, 82-55.
Despite a strong first half for the Chippewas against yet another power conference opponent, the Wildcats were able to execute in the second and came out on top.
"I thought our team competed today; we fought,” head coach Kristin Haynie said. “Overall, we did some good things, and we got better.”
After struggling to contain the Wildcats' offense early in the first quarter, CMU began settling into the physicality and speed of the game. Soon, their defense disrupted Kentucky in a major way.
Late in the second, the Chippewas forced a shot clock violation, shifting the momentum. This extra-effort play ignited Central Michigan’s defense, and they began the second quarter with a quick steal.
Their effort on the defensive end translated to the offense, and CMU closed the half with a 6-0 scoring run. They also cut the deficit to seven and kept Kentucky scoreless in the last three and a half minutes.
“We did a good job executing plays. I think confidence and mentality is a big thing, and we did a good job taking care of the ball, especially in the first half. That’s been our Achilles heel all year, so that’s one of the reasons we were able to score,” Haynie said.
Sophomore forward Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, a Lexington, Kentucky native, made a statement in her hometown with 10 points in the first half.
“It was great just seeing my family and seeing everybody,” Darrington said. “I [was] back to where I grew up watching everybody play, and now, I get to be in the chair.”
CMU’s first-half high was shot down quickly in the third quarter, though. Kentucky flipped a switch on offense, going on a 10-0 scoring run and picking up a 17-point lead early in the second half.
“We were just too stagnant on the offensive end in the second half,” Haynie said.
The Wildcats took care of business for the rest of the game, having five players in double figures and two with double-doubles.
Leading the way for the Chippewas with 12 points was sophomore guard Madi Morson, followed by Darrington, who charted 11. Darrington, freshman guard Rylan Buschell, and senior guard Taylor Anderson all grabbed five rebounds apiece.
“The last four games, we’ve played against tough competition, some of the best in the nation,” Haynie said. “It was a really good test and challenge for us to play these teams, preparing us for the MAC conference. I truly believe that we grew in our toughness and physicality.”
After a short break, the Chippewas will take on Valparaiso at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, in Indiana.
