Chippewa seniors define legacy with comeback in last go-around at McGuirk Arena
Ninety-two wins, 3,689 combined points and three Mid-American Conference outright titles.
These are just some of the numbers that define Central Michigan's women’s basketball three-person senior class. The trio — Detroit guard Micaela Kelly, Rockford guard Maddy Watters and Grand Rapids forward Kyra Bussell — took their home floor one more time on March 6 in McGuirk Arena.
Honored with videos submitted by family members before the game, the trio smiled and waived at family and close friends in the socially-distanced crowd perched in the second level behind the Chippewa bench.
After the ceremony concluded, it was game time. The opponent, Northern Illinois, handed the Chippewas their first conference loss of the season on Jan. 13, hitting 15 3-pointers to roll to a 104-73.
On Senior Day, it’s a chance for payback.
As I sat below the video board on the West end of McGuirk Arena, here is a moment-by-moment journey of Senior Day and the comeback CMU needed to earn the win.
Pregame introductions:
Kelly stands in the middle of everything. The handshake line is populated by just three teammates (the Chippewas are operating with a light roster due to COVID-19 issues) and the coaching staff. It doesn't matter, Kelly brings the same enthusiasm.
She stands with a white towel draped around her shoulders, mouthing the lyrics to “All In,” by Lil Baby when her name is called.
Watters is next, remaining calm and collected. Bussell’s name is called last, and she greets teammate and junior forward Anika Weekes with a smile and a wave before grouping with the rest of the starters.
First quarter, 9:48 remaining:
Northern Illinois wins the jump and advances into the front court. Kelly’s active hands intercept the first pass of the game, and she drives all the way to the bucket for two. She wastes no time getting back on defense, ready for the next opportunity.
2-0, CMU
7:00 remaining:
NIU’s Errin Hodges drills a jumper, forcing coach Heather Oesterle to use a time out. The Huskies have scored 12 of 13 points since Kelly’s layup, with only a free throw interrupting the run. Kelly is vocal in the team huddle. She’s not going out like this.
12-3, NIU
5:33 remaining:
CMU is crawling back. Watters is on the board with a 3-pointer and, on the next possession, fools a defender with an upfake. She drives baseline, kicking to Bussell on the right wing. Bussell passes up a good shot for a great one, flipping the ball to Midland senior guard Molly Davis for an open triple that falls.
Watters yells, “Let’s go” sprinting back on defense.
12-9, NIU
:02 remaining:
Kelly beats her defender at the buzzer for a layup to quell a barrage of 3-pointers from the Huskies. She has seven, and nobody else has more than three for CMU. It’s shaping up to be a long climb back, but Kelly is ready. She’s vocal in the huddle again, and her teammates are listening.
25-13, NIU
Second quarter, 4:06 remaining:
NIU has opened the quarter on a 7-2 run. The Chippewas, operating with that light roster, are running out of options. Two players, Kelly and junior center Jahari Smith, have two fouls while Bay City junior guard Kalle Martinez has three.
Davis has been largely ineffective to this point, turning the ball over three times. Meanwhile, the Huskies have already drilled six triples. The uphill climb grows steeper and the seniors’ resolve has been tested.
32-15, NIU
1:22 remaining:
NIU pushes its lead to 19 but the Chippewas answer with back-to-back 3-pointers, one from Kelly and one from Davis. On the other end, CMU has forced three straight turnovers. The last one elicits a reaction from Watters, who claps. The Chippewas can feel the gap shrinking.
34-21, NIU
:42 remaining:
Watters drills a leaning 3-pointer from the Upper Peninsula painted on the floor to cut the lead down to 10, but NIU’s Mikayla Brandon answers by ripping the net with one of her own. NIU exhales, as the shot keeps the fighting Chippewas off its heels.
Rockford senior guard Maddy Watters drives for a layup against Northern Illinois on March 6 in McGuirk Arena. CMU won the game 74-68.
37-24, NIU
:00 remaining
Weekes knocks down a corner 3-pointer to keep the Chippewa deficit at 10. Brandon’s buzzer-beating attempt clanks off the side of the rim, and both teams jog into the locker room. Watters gets a pat on the back from Martinez and Grand Rapids junior guard Sophia Karasinski, and they smile.
37-27, NIU
Third quarter, 10:00 remaining
The Chippewa swagger is back. Kelly has a word with three other starters as Watters speaks with assistant coach Sarah Miles. CMU’s starters appear confident. The second half presents the seniors with a chance to make yet another memory in the building they’ve dominated in for so long.
6:52 remaining
Kelly dribbles the length of the court and fires a pass to the opposite corner as Huskie defenders collapse. In the corner waiting patiently is Watters, who buries a triple and smiles. Kelly smacks hands with coaches as she runs up the sideline. The Huskie lead is now just six.
42-36, NIU
2:27 remaining
Bussell, still scoreless, contributes on the defensive end with a block. Her teammates celebrate briefly, but NIU grabs the offensive rebound. The board leads to a kick-out 3-pointer by Chelby Koker, putting a pin in the Chippewas rally.
55-47, NIU
Fourth quarter, 8:38 remaining
Watters deflects a pass but is unable to keep it inbounds. Her hustle energizes her teammates, including Bussell who yells, “Oh yeah, Mad!”
A possession later, Watters fires a no-look pass to Martinez for a triple. It’s a three-point game.
Following another stop, Watters drills one of her own. Known for being calm and collected, Watters is fired up now. Tie game — timeout, NIU.
If there were fans, McGuirk might have needed a new roof.
CMU 55-NIU 55
Grand Rapids senior forward Kyra Bussell celebrates a made 3-pointer against Northern Illinois on March 6 in McGuirk Arena. The Chippewas won the game 74-68.
7:08 remaining
Davis jumps into the passing lane and gets a steal. She scores with a left-handed layup and the Chippewas have their first lead since it was 2-0. There’s extra pep in the voice of the public address announcer in McGuirk.
CMU 59-57
2:59 remaining
Weekes hits a corner triple and the teams go back and forth. CMU’s lead is now six with Watters and Bussell checking back into the game. Games like this are won in the last four minutes, and as this crucial juncture approaches, it’s time for one last run for this senior group.
Watters takes a charge on her first possession back. Excitement is continuing to build.
CMU 68-62
2:39 remaining
The Huskies haven’t scored in nearly six minutes. Kelly runs down a pass from Davis in transition and scores. It’s been all Chippewas in the fourth quarter, and they can start to feel victory now.
CMU 70-62
:00 remaining
There is no standing ovation or sentimental moment for the Chippewas, as they fight to the very last second. The three seniors hug their teammates and wave to the crowd before trotting into the locker room. There's still more to do, as the MAC Tournament awaits.
But on this day, after this effort, it's time to go home.
FINAL: CMU 74-68
