Broncos fall to Central Michigan, 64-60

By Katie Lynn
Western Herald

(Nick Karebian / Western Herald) Bronco senior Tiera DeLaHoussaye is just ten rebounds shy from becoming the first player in MAC history to total 1,000 points, 600 assists, 500 rebounds and 300 steals after tallying 10 points, four assists, seven rebounds and six steals against CMU last night.

Poor defense down the stretch led to the Western Michigan University women’s basketball team’s 10th Mid-American Conference loss of the season and 19th loss overall.
The Broncos fell 64-60 at home to Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan University. Western Michigan attempted a late rally, but its defense could not stop the Chippewas and ultimately cost WMU a win.

“It came down to defense, and our defense wasn’t completely there tonight,” sophomore forward Ebony Cleary said.

The Broncos started the first half strong with a 10-2 run, a three-pointer made by sophomore forward Brenna Banktson, a layup and a free throw made by sophomore forward Maria Iaquaniello, followed by a jumper and layup made by freshman forward Miame Giden all within the first 2:30, made up the quick WMU start.

“The first couple of minutes we came out strong and hit a lot of shots,” Giden said. “It felt like it was going to be a good shooting night.”

With the good start for the Broncos, it looked like the game would continue to go in the right path for the Broncos. WMU was shooting well down low and from the outside, but later in the contest CMU was able to turn the tide.
The Broncos made only two of their 10 attempts around the perimeter, and 11 of 35 shots from outside the three-point line in the first half.
The second half did not go much better. The Broncos were only able to make 10 of 29 attempts from the outside, and one of five attempts around the perimeter. The total field goal percentage for WMU was 32.8 percent, while the team’s total three-point percentage was 20 percent.

“We struggled in shooting the basketball tonight, and we were in our house,” head coach Tasha McDowell said. “We need to be able to knock down the shots.”

Turnovers also led to the WMU loss. The Broncos gave the ball up 10 times in the first half, and another 10 times in the second half. However, the Chippewas also struggled with turnovers, as they gave the ball up 19 times.
With both teams struggling, the contest came down to the last minute.
With 57 seconds remaining on the clock, Giden made a quick jumper from the outside to bring her team back to an eight-point margin, 64-56.
Senior guard DeLaHoussaye was then fouled with 21 seconds remaining, and went to the free throw line for two shots. She made one, cutting the Chippewa lead to 64-57.
With 13 seconds remaining on the clock, Giden hit a three from the left wing and cut her team’s deficit to only a four, 64-60.

The Broncos did catch up near the end of the game, but the Chippewas were still able to take the win. It was the first time in 11 seasons that Central Michigan has defeated the Broncos at home. It was also the first time since 1997-98 that they swept the Broncos in the season series.
Central Michigan’s Angel Chan attributed 16 points, allowing her to reach the 1,000 point mark.
Wednesday’s game also marked the first time in seven games that the Broncos lost the battle of the boards. The Chippewas finished with 49 rebounds, while the Broncos finished the night with 45.

The Broncos have now been out rebounded only twice against Mid-American Conference competitors this season, with the first coming in a  72-64 loss to the University at Buffalo.
Although the Broncos did not finish on top, there were some positives. One of those was that the Broncos kept the Chippewas to only 64 points.

“We did hold them well under what they’re usually averaging, 80 points,” McDowell said.

The Broncos’ leading scorers for were sophomore forward Ebony Cleary and Giden with 17 points. With Giden’s 17 points made she has now scored in double digits in 15 of the last 16 games played.
DeLaHoussaye also finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. If DeLaHoussaye grabs 10 more rebounds in the remaining three games this season, she will be the first player ever to finish with 1,000 points, 600 assists, 500 rebounds and 300 steals.

The Broncos go on the road this Saturday to play Ball State. They do not intend to give up, despite the struggles.

“We never quit,” Cleary said. “I mean that’s just not an option for us. We cant quit.”

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=4392

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Feb 26 2009. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com