Shooting woes plague women’s hoops in 69-45 loss to No. 13 Michigan
Despite an electric, white-out energy in McGuirk Arena, Central Michigan women’s basketball fell to No. 13 Michigan 69-45 on Saturday.
CMU falls to 1-2 on the season. Michigan improves to 4-0.
“This schedule is very tough and we got a lot of work to do,” said head coach Heather Oesterle. “I was encouraged by the little run we went on in the third quarter. I thought (Rebekah Gordon) gave us a spark off the bench, but in the end, we have to hit shots."
Following the game, CMU retired the numbers of former players Crystal Bradford, Reyna Frost, Tinara Moore and Presley Hudson while also honoring former head coach Sue Guevara.
How it happened
After trailing 19-11 after the first 10 minutes, CMU would not be intimidated. After successful layups from junior Akina Weekes and senior Jahari Smith, the Chippewas pulled within four points with 7:45 remaining in the second quarter.
As the Mount Pleasant crowd began to up the intensity, the Wolverines followed suit. A 3-pointer from Emily Kiser started a run that saw the No. 13 team in the land score 18 of the second quarter's final 20 points to put the Chippewas behind 37-17 at the half. CMU finished 3-of-13 from the floor and missed all seven attempts from beyond the arc in the second quarter.
CMU refused to bow down to the Wolverines, ultimately matching the road team blow-for-blow in the third quarter. The Chippewas used nine third-quarter points from junior Molly Davis to outscore Michigan 18-14 in the third stanza and pull within 16 points.
The Wolverines would ultimately spoil any thought of a CMU comeback behind a 7-of-15 shooting performance to CMU's 4-of-14 from the field to remain undefeated.
Key Performers
Davis earned a game-high 18 points and contributed four rebounds and four assists.
Weekes finished close behind with 11 points, five rebounds, one steal and one block.
Key Stats
CMU shot 3-of-23 from 3-point range throughout the game and was 0-of-13 in the first half.
The Wolverines outscored CMU 40-26 in the paint and 23-9 off turnovers.
What’s Next
The Chippewas travel to Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, Nov. 26, to face Northeastern at 6 p.m.
