Strong fourth quarter powers CMU women's basketball to road win over Toledo
Central Michigan University sophomore Ayanna-Sarai Darrington reaches towards the net while Western Michigan University players try to block her during a basketball game in McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)
For the first time since 2021, the Chippewas are leaving Toledo, Ohio with a win.
The Central Michigan women’s basketball team defeated the Toledo Rockets (14-12, 8-7) 68-64 on Wednesday evening. This win moves the Chippewas to 17-10 overall and 11-5 in the conference.
“Proud of our composure and poise down the stretch in front of that tough, loud environment,” head coach Kristin Haynie said. “When Toledo went up on us, we didn’t panic and chipped our way back in it with grit and toughness.”
This win allowed CMU to regain momentum after two tough losses to Miami (Ohio) and the University of Massachusetts last week.
After a threatening 13-2 Rockets run in the middle of the third quarter, CMU trailed by seven going into the fourth. The Chippewas would not go away, though, as they executed down the stretch and outscored the Rockets 20-9 in the fourth quarter.
“We told them we needed to get multiple stops in a row and cannot trade baskets with them,” Haynie said. “Getting stops helps our offense so we can push the ball in transition and get some quick buckets, and we did just that.”
CMU saw strong performances from sophomore forward Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, sophomore guard Madi Morson and senior guard Taylor Anderson.
Darrington recorded her sixth 20-point game of the season and shot 69.2% from the field. She also led all scorers with 20 points, despite picking up her third foul in the third quarter and spending a significant amount of time off the court.
“She was huge for us in the fourth quarter,” Haynie said. “[She] did a great job having short-term memory in the second half and not allowing the foul trouble to take her out of the game.”
Darrington asserted her dominance after returning to the floor, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter.
With Morson and Darrington in foul trouble early in the game, the Chippewas had to get creative on the offensive end to keep the ball rolling.
“[Junior center] Taylor Johnson came in and gave some good minutes for us on the block in Darrington’s absence,” Haynie said.
Anderson was another key contributor, as she recorded 12 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
“We needed that from her tonight,” Haynie said. “When she plays like that, good things happen for us. She lays it all out there on the floor, on top of guarding the team’s best player every night.”
This was the first time Anderson, who has been a Chippewa all four years of her career, beat Toledo.
“It was extra special to win it for her,” Haynie said.
Morson picked up 17 points and showed up when the Chippewas needed her most, making big shots in the first half to keep them in the game.
CMU outrebounded the Rockets by 15 and picked up 14 offensive boards, a testament to the toughness Haynie describes.
Turnovers remained a problem for the Chippewas on Wednesday, as they had 20. Luckily, Toledo also struggled to take care of the ball and had 15 of their own.
The Chippewas are back in Ohio on Saturday, this time taking on the Kent State Golden Flashes for their second meeting of the season. Tip-off is at 1 p.m.
