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Niki DiGuilio scored 24 points, all of which coming on 3-point field goals as the Central Michigan Chippewas ran away from the Miami RedHawks at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Michigan on Saturday. The RedHawks had their hands full contending with CMU stars Crystal Bradford and Jas'Mine Bracey. That left CMU sniper DiGuilio open for uncontested shots beyond the arc. DiGuilio scorched the RedHawks and led her team to its twelfth consecutive victory in conference play.
Miami started the game trying to match Central Michigan's fast paced style of play. The RedHawks were successful for a while, particularly when Central Michigan was struggling to find consistency. CMU head coach Sue Guevara inserted senior Taylor Johnson into the game in an effort to provide a spark for a team that was listless through much of the first half. It was the right move as Johnson hit a very loud 3-pointer from the top of the key and the Chippewas woke up. The first half ended with the Chippewas up 37-25, but the game had the feeling of a much closer contest.
Nicole Anderson started the second half by scoring eight quick points and the RedHawks cut the deficit to seven before anyone else on the court had settled in. Then came a Chippewa offensive explosion.
A 24-2 run by CMU knocked out the RedHawks. Bad passes, poor shot selection or no shots at all did not help matters for Miami. The RedHawks even had a hard time getting passes into or through the paint. CMU's second half defensive effort made life absolutely miserable for Miami.
The second half surge by Central Michigan was just the tonic that the Chippewas need as they must now face the Bowling Green Falcons on Wednesday night in what certainly will be a thrilling rematch of January's game that resulted in an overtime victory for CMU.
CMU improves to 12-0 in MAC play with the win. Miami falls to 3-9 with the loss.
