Box Score
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.- Ebony Cleary led eight Broncos in the scoring column with her first double-double of the season, but it wouldn't be enough, as Central Michigan battled back from a halftime deficit to defeat Western Michigan, 74-65, Saturday at Rose Arena.
Western Michigan (5-12, 0-4 MAC) led by as many as eight in the first half and enjoyed a 34-30 halftime lead. The Chippewas stepped up their defense in the second half however and knocked down long range shots to escape with their second-straight conference victory. CMU (5-12, 2-2 MAC) came into the game riding momentum from an 87-80 upset over defending MAC champion Ball State Wednesday.
WMU was able to put recent scoring woes aside and came out with an impressive first half. Eight of the 10 Broncos that played in the half scored, seven of them by the seven minute mark. The Brown & Gold shot 40 percent from the floor and held the rebounding margin at the half, 24-13, scoring 11 second chance points.
Cleary led Bronco scorers with nine points at the break and finished with a team-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. It was her first double-double of the season and the eighth of her career.
On the flip side, Central Michigan was paced by the senior leadership of 5-11 forward Britni Houghton. Houghton scored nine of the Chippewas' first 13 points and eight of CMU's first 11 in the second half.
Jalisa Olive and Shonda Long also fueled CMU's comeback. Olive scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half and Long contributed all but four of her 17 points in the later period.
A three by Olive with 11:59 remaining gave CMU its first lead since the 16:23 mark of the first half. A bucket by Cleary briefly put the score back in WMU's favor, but CMU controlled the rest of the way. CMU shot a blistering 62.5 percent in the final 20 minutes and knocked down 11 of its first 16 shots.
Molly Dwyer's 100th career three-pointer tied the game at 59-59 and Cleary hit one of two free throws for a one-point WMU lead with 5:46 to go. CMU then rattled off seven straight points, five by Long which included a three that all but took the wind from the Broncos' sails.
Central Michigan made nine of 21 three-point attempts, tying the most three's surrendered by the Bronco defense this season.
Miame Giden was the only other Bronco to reach double figures, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Dwyer, DeAirra Goss (three steals) and Taylor Manley each ended with eight.
Western Michigan outrebounded Central Michigan, 47-26. The Chips produced 24 points off 23 Bronco turnovers.
WMU concludes first round play against the MAC West Wednesday, hosting division leader Toledo at 7 p.m. at University Arena. The Rockets (13-3, 3-0 MAC) play on the road at Ball State Sunday before coming to Kalamazoo.
