Gabi Bird utilizes patience, opportunity for career night
As the clock ticked down to 6:42 remaining in the second quarter, senior guard Maddy Watters drove the ball to the paint.
Watters, without a single hesitation, fired a behind-the-back, no-look bounce pass to Gabi Bird.
Bird, a senior forward from South Lyon, caught the pass at the numbers and fired away for a 3-pointer.
Swish.
The triple gave Bird her eighth point of the night and she appeared destined for more as the Central Michigan women's basketball team began to build a lead over Iona on Thursday in McGuirk Arena.
Coach Heather Oesterle's squad was trailing the Gaels through the first quarter of the matchup before Bird stepped in and took over.
”(Bird) gave us a huge spark in the game, 17 points in the first half,” Oesterle said. “I thought we came out a little flat, but we started the game with two turnovers, she came in and she gave us good minutes.”
While scoring four points in the second half, Bird's scoring in the first half set the Chippewas on the track to secure the 70-50 win. Bird finished with 21 points, six rebounds and a block against Iona.
Central Michigan forward Gabrielle Bird shoots a pull-up jumper against Iona Dec. 5 at McGuirk Arena.
CMU's blowout win over the Gaels capped a four-game home stand with four wins. Next, the Chippewas hit the road for six games, including the first two in Mid-American Conference play.
Bird has learned a lot from watching those that came before her: Tinara Moore, Reyna Frost, Presley Hudson. While she saw time as a role player, she was able to learn from the example of her predecessors.
Which includes staying humble in the spotlight.
"I wouldn't necessarily say it was my night," Bird said. "It's a team night, it's a Central Michigan night. Like Heather said, we came out a little slower than normal, so I came in and did what I had to do.
"That's my role on this team, to give what needs to be given."
Bird has remained patient and waited for her time to come to step into a role as a regular in the Chippewa rotation.
So far in her senior year, Bird is shooting 60% from the field, 52% from 3-point range while averaging eight points in 15 minutes per game.
Bird said she wanted to come in and contribute to the team any way she could but never set expectations for herself.
"This is why I came to Central Michigan," Bird said. "Obviously my first couple years here were not what I expected. Just coming in, being on good teams, not playing as much but just being there for my team. The hard work is starting to pay off, which is satisfying."
As for the on the court business, Oesterle said it is the responsibility of Bird's teammates to move the ball around and put the basketball in her hands.
While Bird has offensive qualities beneficial to the Chippewas, she is more of a sharpshooter rather than a creator.
Enter guards like junior Micaela Kelly or freshman Molly Davis, who both excel at creating offense and putting the ball in the hands of the team's best shooters.
Davis said she can create offense and rely on Bird to knock down those shots.
"When I drive it into the lane I know I can kick it out and she's going to make it every time," Davis said. "She's one of our best shooters, she's very consistent."
