EASTERN MICHIGAN 70, TOLEDO 66 — They previously won 17 straight conference games in Savage. But the Rockets are gonna fend up and start a new streak at some point in the near future after this night. I wasn't expecting this type of game, where Tavelyn James just takes the ball and wins almost single-handedly. James tallied 30 points, 23 of those in the first half to supplant the Eagles with a 47-34 halftime lead.
Even though UT never led in the second half they did establish a 17-4 run in a little over six minutes of time pushing the lead down to one, then EMU got back up to 12, and finally the Rockets made it a two-point game in the final minute. Very sinusoidal. Andola Dortch and Yolanda Richardson each added 11 points but with no standout performance from a Lady Rocket, EMU was able to hang on. EMU is 2-1 in the MAC while UT is now 1-2.
BALL STATE 50, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 43 — Meanwhile, BSU is suddenly 3-0. They ground out a victory against winless-in-the-MAC NIU by virtue of shooting only a little less worse than the other gals. Jazmin Hitchens led with 11 points as three of her teammates had 10. For NIU, Claire Jakubicek led the game with a whopping 12 points. That kinda game.
MIAMI 73, KENT STATE 55 — I'd have been a little floored if this one went the other way. It's essentially the best team against the worst team, at the best team's home floor. Courtney Osborn had 20 points, eight assists and five steals, Kirsten Olowinski added 18 points/nine rebounds and Maggie Boyer made five threes en route to 17 points. For KSU, Trisha Krewson led with 18 points.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 93, WESTERN MICHIGAN 85 — I don't care what sport it is. More points is better, and CMU is known for tons of them. The two teams combined for 197 possessions, which is one of the MAC's more frenetic 40-minute games. So credit to WMU for keeping pace and never putting this game out of question. For CMU, Jessica Green led with 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Crystal Bradford also hit the 20-point mark, adding six rebounds, and five assists/steals/blocks.
T'was mostly a team effort from WMU but sensational senior Maria Iaquaniello had the game high with 26, and Corie Buchanan added 15.
AKRON 91, BUFFALO 82 — Someone had to get in the win column in this game. This was another game not unlike CMU-WMU, just with a little more patience and better shooting. Taylor Ruper went 6-for-11 on threes to finish with 20 points, Carly Young got 16, Hanna Luburgh contributed 15 points and two others hit double-figures. For Buffalo they didn't have Akron's accuracy but did outrebound the Zips, 48-34. Nytor Longar's double-double sticks out: 26 points, 10 rebounds. Brittany Hedderson supplied more points with 21 and Teresa Semalulu was this close to a double-double herself: nine points, 14 rebounds.
Next games:
7:00 p.m. tonight: OHIO (1-1) at BGSU (2-0)
Saturday's games:
2:00 p.m. — Ball State (2-1) at CMU (2-1)
2:00 p.m. — WMU (2-1) at EMU (2-1)
2:00 p.m. — Toledo (1-2) at NIU (0-3)
5:00 p.m. — Kent (1-2) at Akron (1-2)