#1 Bowling Green Falcons 80, #4 Buffalo Bulls 67

After losing twice to the Buffalo Bulls in the regular season, the Bowling Green Falcons women’s team got the one that counted most. The regular season champion Falcons used some deadly three point shooting to defeat Buffalo, 80-67 in the first semifinal game of the Mid-American Conference Women’s Tournament at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on Friday morning.

The #4 seeded Bulls scored the first basket but their only lead of the game lasted just 38 seconds, when the #1 Falcons hit a three to take the lead they never relinquished.

The early 10 a.m. starter did not bother the Falcons. They came out hot, hitting 10 of 23 three pointers on the way to a 34-26 halftime lead. The second half was more of the same. Bowling Green’s ball movement on offense setup their shooters for open look after open look on the three point line. The Falcons finished the game 14 for 29 beyond the arc (48%).

Elissa Brett led the Falcons with 20 points and 13 rebounds, while teammates Lexi Fleming added 16 points, Madisen Parker with 12 and Kadie Hempfling with 11. Dyaisha Fair led Buffalo with 20 points. Cheyenne McEvans added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Buffalo.

Bowling Green improves to 20-5 and advances to tomorrow’s MAC Championship Game. Buffalo finishes its season at 15-9.

#2 Central Michigan Chippewas 100, #3 Ohio Bobcats 92

The #2 Central Michigan Chippewas downed the #3 Ohio Bobcats, 100-92 in overtime in the day’s second semifinals match-up to advance to the MAC Championship Game.

The first half saw significant runs by both teams . Central led by as much as seven in the opening half and Ohio by as much as six. The Chippewas went into the locker room at the break with a 45-42 lead. Central Michigan’s Micaela Kelly, who had 28 and 33 points in the two regular season match-ups between the teams, had 18 at the half of this one.

The second half was more of the same. Teams took turns making runs, mostly via the three ball. Ohio was down 85-80 with a 1:30 to play in regulation. Bobcat freshman Madi Mace hit a jumper and a three pointer to tie the score again at 85-85 with just :52 seconds left. An off-balance three by the Chippewas’ Kelly was short at the buzzer and we went to overtime.

In overtime, Central Michigan jumped out to a six-point lead thanks to two old-fashioned three-point plays, 91-85 with two- plus minutes to play. Thye Bobcats could not recover and the Chippewas shot free throws to the eventual victory, 100-92.

Central Michigan was led by the guard tandem of Molly Davis and Micaela Kelly. Davis had 33 points and Kelly had 30 points and 9 assists. Jahari Smith added 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Bobcats were led by Erica Johnson and Cece Hooks with 23 points each.

Central Michigan shot 52 percent for the game including 14 of 35 from three point range. The Chippewas improve to 17-8 on the season and advances to the play #1 Bowling Green in the 2021 MAC Women’s Tournament Championship Game tomorrow morning. Ohio finishes the season 14-8.

The MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship Game will air nationally on Saturday at 11 a.m. on CBS Sports Network.