BOX SCORE
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan (12-15, 9-4 MAC) women's basketball team outlasted archrival Central Michigan (6-19, 2-10 MAC) in overtime, 98-91, Saturday afternoon at University Arena. Tiera DeLaHoussaye and Ebony Cleary each recorded double-doubles, with DeLaHoussaye getting it done with 27 points and 10 assists, while Cleary had 14 points and 13 rebounds.
“This is as hard fought of a game, from start to finish, as any game we've played. It was strictly courage that brought us back. It was as much courage as it was basketball in that overtime. I'm just very proud of each and every one of them,” said WMU head coach Ron Stewart.
The Broncos are now in sole possession of first place in the MAC West after an Eastern Michigan defeat Saturday. WMU enjoys a one game lead over the Eagles, with a conference record of 9-4, while EMU sits at 8-5.
Five Broncos scored in double-digits on the afternoon, including a career high 21 points for Amanda Parker, 16 points for Brenna Banktson, and 11 points from Sara Vest, off the bench.
The game was kept tight by both teams in the first half, resulting in eight lead changes and six ties. The Broncos had a late surge at the end of the half, and took a five-point lead into locker room, 42-37.
After pushing the lead to 11 three minutes into the second half, Western Michigan hit a bump in the road and its offense stalled. In a drastic turn of events, Central Michigan outscored the Broncos 31-12 over the next 12 minutes and got behind by eight with 9:43 to go.
WMU struggled to get within six points for latter part of the second half, but with 3:26 left in the game DeLaHoussaye grabbed one of her four steals and took it coast-to-coast to cut the lead to just two points, 78-76.
With 38 seconds remaining in the game, DeLaHoussaye picked another Chippewa pocket, which allowed the speedster to advance the ball up court for a lay-up, giving the Broncos their first lead since the 13:30 mark, 81-80.
Molly Dwyer pulled off her best DeLaHoussaye impression on the next possession, as she stripped the ball away and headed up court herself, still holding on to a one-point lead. After a missed shot and a Cleary rebound, Dwyer was fouled by Angel Chan with 10 seconds left, with a chance to increase the Bronco lead to three. Dwyer missed the front end, but converted on the second free throw, making it 82-80.
Central Michigan took the ball up court as the final seconds ticked away. The Chippewas quickly got the ball into the hands of the only senior on the court, Candace Wilson. Wilson thought about a three-pointer, but dribbled into the paint and drained a jumper with 0.8 seconds left on the clock, to force the first women's overtime at University Arena in the last two seasons.
In overtime, DeLaHoussaye proved to be too much for the Chippewas, as she scored seven points and dished out two assists. DeLaHoussaye went 5-for-6 from the line in the final five minutes, helping seal the win for the Broncos.
Banktson was just as productive in overtime. She scored five points in the extra period for the Broncos, which included a layup with 45 seconds left that made it a two possession game, 94-89.
The Broncos will travel to DeKalb, Ill. Wednesday, Feb. 27 to take on Northern Illinois. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
