Box Score CLEVELAND, Ohio- The Western Michigan women's basketball team bowed out of the Mid-American Conference Tournament with a 66-62 loss to No. 2 seed Central Michigan Wednesday.

The No. 7 seeded Broncos started off hot, building as much as a 15-point lead in the first half. Junior Meredith Shipman was the fuel behind the fire, knocking down five three's and leading Western Michigan with 17 points at the half.

After falling behind 32-17 with 4:44 remaining in the second quarter, Central Michigan put together a run to cut the deficit to six at the half, 36-30.

Alex Morton hit a three-pointer to begin the second half to push WMU's back up to nine, but again, the Chippewas slowly chipped away at the deficit. CMU took its first lead, 46-45, with 2:53 left in the third quarter on a free throw by Jewel Cotton. The Broncos got back-to-back buckets from Morton and freshman Breanna Mobley to pull back ahead and clung to a two-point lead, 52-50, entering the fourth quarter.

Trailing by one in the fourth quarter, Central Michigan scored six straight points to open a five-point lead, 59-54. Morton and Deborah Meeks hit three-pointers to keep WMU in the game and Mobley scored down low with 42 seconds remaining to put Western Michigan down two, 64-62. Presley Hudson made one of two free throws for CMU with 21 seconds left to extend the Chippewas' lead to three. Shipman had a look at a game-tying three out of a timeout for Western Michigan, but it her shot went long off the back iron. Cotton hit a free throw with five seconds left to seal the CMU victory.

"I think the biggest change in the game came in those last two minutes of the second quarter," WMU head coach Shane Clipfell said. "We could have done a better job managing the game there and stopping their run.

"I think our team fought hard. We have played Central Michigan 120 minutes throughout the year and we probably won 112 of them. We had two three-minute sessions at both the game at our place and theirs and another two-and-half session here today that ultimately swung the game."

After pouring in 17 points in the first half, Shipman was held scoreless in the second. Morton finished with 15 points and five assists. Meeks had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Mobley totaled 10 points and five boards.

Tinara Moore led Central Michigan (21-9 record) with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Hudson also recorded 18 points.

Western Michigan was whistled for over twice as many fouls (15 to 7) as Central Michigan. WMU attempted just four free throws, while CMU went 12-for-17 from the line. The Chippewas also held the advantage on rebounding, 42-35.

With a 17-15 record, the Broncos will wait to see if their season will get extended for a second-straight year with additional play in the form of the WNIT or postseason tournament.

"I told this team in the locker room, I wouldn't trade them for anybody," Clipfell said. "I can give you a long list of things this team overcame. From adversity to inner turmoil and injuries were unbelievable this year. Some people might look at our record and think we underachieved, but I really think we overachieved given all of our circumstances."