Northern Illinois def. Kent State, 66-55
Bowling Green def. Central Michigan, 77-72 (OT)
Eastern Michigan def. Akron, 91-46
Miami def. Ball State, 72-61
Toledo def. Buffalo, 77-75
Ohio def. Western Michigan, 72-59
Stories Courtesy of MAC Media Relations Offices
Northern Illinois def. Kent State, 66-55
DeKALB, Ill. - Using momentum from a 45-point second half in a win at Akron Wednesday, the Northern Illinois women’s basketball team continued its stellar offensive execution in a 66-55 wire-to-wire victory over Kent State on Saturday afternoon at the NIU Convocation Center.
“I’m really proud of the team,” said NIU Head Coach Kathi Bennett. “For us, to play with a lead and maintain it the whole game is a really positive sign.”
The win continues an upward trend for the Huskies (9-11, 3-5 MAC) lately as they have won three of their last four games since opening the Mid-American Conference slate 0-4. Fresh off its first win at Akron since 2006, NIU earned its first win over the Golden Flashes (5-13, 4-4 MAC) since 2008, ending a four-game slide against KSU, who entered the contest on a three-game winning streak.
The triumph also ended a three-game slide at home for NIU and marked the fourth time this season that the Huskies have won back-to-back games -- something that was accomplished only three times all of last season.
Carrying over the good vibes of their second half at Akron, the Huskies opened up on fire against KSU. NIU hit each of its first five three-pointers, including three from Courtney Shelton (Rockford, Ill./Hononegah). With 4:27 left in the half, the Huskies had built the largest lead they would hold all game, 32-15, as they were 12-for-26 from the field with 12 assists and just two turnovers.
“I felt like we enjoyed and had fun playing,” Bennett said. “We’ve been consistent in practice since the Buffalo game with our energy and effort. Sometimes you really have to go through the valley before you wake up. [The hot start] loosened us up and we could just play after that.
“We’ve executed well on offense that last few games. We’ve attacked, read the defense, shared the ball -- we are playing good basketball on both ends right now.”
However, over the final 4:27 of the first half, KSU outscored NIU 12-0 to go into the locker room down by only five, 32-27.
Needing to reestablish control of the game, NIU came out of the locker room hitting four of its first seven shots during an 11-5 run in the half’s first five minutes. The key shot during the run was a 27-foot three-pointer from the top of the key that touched nothing but net as Shelton had to put up a shot as the shot clock was about to expire.
“I told them in the locker room that we must win the first four minutes -- that first stretch until the media timeout,” Bennett said. “We had to come out with more energy and more effort.”
With a comfortable cushion once again, NIU was able to do what it did at Akron -- put the game away on the free throw line -- as KSU never got closer than five points. The Huskies went 14-for-18 from the charity stripe over the game’s final 15 minutes.
Free throws proved to be a significant factor for the second straight game for NIU as the Huskies were 18-for-22 on the day, while KSU was 4-for-8. Both Amanda Corral (Hobart, Ind./Hobart) and Claire Jakubicek (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove) were a perfect 4-for-4. Jakubicek’s perfect run at the free throw line is now at 27 in a row.
While KSU narrowly outshot NIU (44.0 % - 40.8 %), the Huskies work on the boards did not leave room for error. NIU held a 39-33 edge in boards and allowed just two offensive rebounds to KSU, grabbing 10 on its own end for a 9-3 second chance points advantage.
NIU’s three-point display was crucial as well. The Huskies tallied season-highs in made threes and percentage, going 8-for-14 (57.1 %). Shelton led the way with a 5-for-10 performance en route to a season- and game-high 23 points.
The rookie duo of Corral and Jakubicek also scored in double figures. Corral had 14 points, along with eight rebounds and three assists. Jakubicek had 13 points, adding eight rebounds and four assists.
After going 1-4 during the first run-through of the MAC West Division, NIU is now 2-1 during its six-game tour of the East. The Huskies next hit the road to face Bowling Green at 6 PM CT on Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Bowling Green def. Central Michigan, 77-72 (OT)
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (BGSU Athletic Communication) – The Bowling Green State University women's basketball team scored on the first two possessions of overtime, taking the lead for good in a 77-72 win over Central Michigan University Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28). The Mid-American Conference game was held at McGuirk Arena.
With the win, the Falcons improve to 18-3 overall, and BGSU is a perfect 8-0 in MAC play. BG has won 11 consecutive games, and 18 of 19 contests after dropping the season's first two games.
The Chippewas drop to 12-10 and 4-4, respectively.
Senior Jessica Slagle scored 19 points to lead four double-digit scorers for the Falcons. Slagle, who had hit a layup late in regulation to give the Falcons a short-lived lead, scored on the opening possession of overtime to give BG the lead for good.
The Falcons led for most of the game. BGSU never trailed in the first 35 minutes, but the Chippewas took the lead with 4:51 on the clock, and two free throws by Taylor Johnson gave the hosts a four-point advantage, 62-58, with 1:57 left in regulation.
BG battled back, scoring six-straight points, including a layup by Slagle that gave the Falcons a 64-62 lead with just 7.9 seconds left. But, Johnson hit a layup at the other end of the court with only 1.6 seconds remaining to send the contest to OT.
In the extra session, Slagle hit a floater on the opening possession, and after BG forced a missed shot by Central, redshirt junior Danielle Havel took a Slagle pass and knocked down a three-pointer, giving the Falcons a 69-64 lead with 4:05 remaining.
The Chippewas got back within two points midway through the period, but junior Chrissy Steffen knocked down a short jumper, and a layup by redshirt sophomore Alexis Rogers gave BG a five-point lead, 74-69, with under a minute remaining.
Steffen and freshman Jasmine Matthews each scored 14 points for the Falcons, while Havel had a double-double, with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Rogers was held to five points, but pulled down 11 boards, including six at the offensive end.
Brandie Baker led the Chippewas with 19 points off the bench, while Johnson had 18 points and 10 boards. Jalisa Olive hit double figures in the scoring column, with 11 points for the hosts.
The Falcons now return home for the next two games. BGSU will begin the month of February with a Wednesday (Feb. 1) contest vs. Northern Illinois University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Stroh Center.
Eastern Michigan def. Akron, 91-46
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team raced out to a big first-half lead and never looked back in a 91-46 win over the University of Akron here Saturday, Jan. 28, in a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional game in the Convocation Center.
Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's Eagles, now 14-7 overall and 6-2 in league action, scored 51 first-half points while holding the visitors to just 19. The Eagles would also win the battle of the second half, 40-27, to record the win.
Eastern had three players in double-figure scoring and two with double-double scoring-rebounding efforts. Senior guard Tavelyn James (Detroit, Mich.-Mumford) led the way with 31 points while sophomore forward Natachia Watkins (South Euclid, Ohio-Brush) turned in the first double-double of her career with 26 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Senior forward Paige Redditt (Kansas City, Mo.-Belton) also had a double-double, her fifth of the season, with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Akron, now 9-13 overall and 3-5 in league play, was led by Carly Young with nine while Candace Martino added eight.
Eastern would finish the game shooting 44.7 percent from the field, making 38-of-85 attempts while also recording a 59-34 advantage on the boards. Akron would be held to just 24.5 percent, making only 13-of-53 shots. The Zips also turned it over a whopping 27 times.
The Eagles' high-octane offense started the game with a flurry of buckets to take an early 15-4 lead in the first six minutes and freshman guard Iesha Collins (Chicago, Ill.-Bogan) made it 17-4 on a steal at mid court followed by a twisting layup at the 12:40 mark.
Eastern would go on to its biggest lead of the half at 35 points, 51-16, with 1:06 left and the half would close with the home team up by a 51-19 count.
James and Watkins paced the Eagles in the first half with 21 and 14 points respectively. Eastern shot 50 percent in the half, making 22-of-44 attempts while also connecting on 4-of-9 triples for 42.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Akron made just 5-of-30 field-goal attempts and committed 14 turnovers over the first 20 minutes.
The Eagles kept its offensive surge going in the second half, keeping the lead in the 30 points or more through the final 20 minutes on the way to the 45-point victory.
Eastern will now hit the road for Athens, Ohio Wednesday, Feb. 1, to take on the Ohio University Bobcats in a 7 p.m. game.
Miami def. Ball State, 72-61
OXFORD, Ohio – The Miami University women’s basketball team opened the second half on a 9-0 run, overcoming a two-point halftime deficit, to lift itself to a 72-61 victory over Ball State Saturday afternoon at Millett Hall. Courtney Osborn, who started the run with a game-tying layup, finished the contest with a game-high 27 points. The RedHawks improve to 16-5 overall, and finish the first half of Mid-American Conference play at 6-2. The Cardinals fall to 7-14 overall and 2-6 in the MAC.
A layup from Kirsten Olowinski and a three-pointer from Osborn helped stake Miami to a 6-0 lead early. Ball State fought back to pull within one at 8-7, and after another Olowinski jumper, eventually took the lead at 12-11 at the 12:26 mark. With the score tied at 17, a 13-5 run by the Cardinals would give it its biggest advantage at 30-22 with 6:23 to go.
Osborn would start the Miami comeback by hitting two free throws. On the next possession, Olowinski was fouled and made the first of her free throws. She missed the second, but Erica Almady grabbed the rebound and put back in. She also was fouled on the play; she converted the free throw to pull the ‘Hawks to within two at 30-28. Ball State would follow with a 5-0 run to push the advantage back to seven at 35-28 at the 4:04 mark, but jumpers from Hannah Robertson and Maggie Boyer were part of a 6-1 closing run that sent Miami into the break down only two, 36-34.
The RedHawks shot an impressive 52.4 percent (11-for-21) for the half. Osborn led Miami with 11 points.
The 9-0 run to start the second half was capped by a Boyer three-point basket and put the RedHawks in front, 43-36, with 16:38 to go. Back-to-back layups from Osborn and Olowinski would give the Red and White a nine-point advantage, 47-38, at the 14:29 mark. The Cardinals fought back, answering with an 11-6 run that made it 53-49 with 11:23 remaining in the contest.
The defense clamped down on Ball State, keeping the Cardinals without a point for the next four minutes. Jumpers from Boyer, Osborn and Olowinski made it 59-49. The teams traded free throws until it was 64-55 with 4:04 remaining. Ball State hit back-to-back layups to pull within five at 64-59 at the 2:42 mark. Osborn would seal the game a couple of possessions later with an old-fashioned three-point play to put Miami up, 67-59. The RedHawks hit their free throws in the last minute to secure the 72-61 victory.
In addition to her 27 points, Osborn had three assists, three steals, three rebounds and a block. Boyer finished with 15 points, while Olowinski had 13. Miami shot 49 percent (25-for-51) for the game, while holding Ball State to 38.5 percent (20-for-52) shooting. The RedHawks outrebounded the Cardinals 37-27 in the contest, pulling down 16 offensive boards.
Miami returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Central Michigan for a 7 p.m. game.
Toledo def. Buffalo, 77-75
BUFFALO, NY - Toledo overcame a 15-point halftime deficit and pulled off a thrilling 77-75 victory at Buffalo on Saturday afternoon inside Alumni Arena. With the come-from-behind triumph, the Rockets' extend their win streak to a season-high five consecutive games and improve to 13-7 overall, 6-2 in the Mid-American Conference.
"I couldn't be more proud of our effort in the second half," two-time MAC Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop said. "I told the team at halftime that it wasn't about x's and o's. It was about giving more effort, and I wanted to know who wanted it more. This game could have gone either way, and we are fortunate it went our way."
Sophomore Andola Dortch paced the 2011 WNIT champions with 18 points, five assists and four rebounds in a team-high 37 minutes. Dortch was clutch in the final minutes of regulation, scoring five of the team's last seven points to help the 2010-11 MAC regular-season champs overcome a 49-34 deficit at the intermission.
"Andola knocked down some big shots for us in the second half," Cullop said.
Junior Yolanda Richardson contributed 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in a winning effort to post her fourth double-double of the season. Richardson was also credited with a contest-best four rejections against the Bulls (6-16, 1-7 MAC), surpassing Karin Hoogendam (138 blocks, 2001-05) to become UT's all-time shot blocker leader with 140.
Joining Dortch and Richardson in double figures were senior Courtney Ingersoll (11 points, all in second half, team-high three steals) and classmate Haylie Linn (10 points) to remain in a first-place tie with Eastern Michigan for the top spot in the MAC West Division.
"The unsung hero in tonight's game was Courtney," said Cullop, who improved to 4-0 all-time against Buffalo. "She hit a couple big three's and came up with some big steals down the stretch when we really needed them. I was extremely proud of her."
The Rockets shot a respectable 48.3 percent (29-of-60) from the field, including a slightly-improved 50.0 percent (15-of-30) over the final 20 minutes to win their fifth straight contest against Buffalo. UT also finished with a 40-37 edge on the glass and has now won the battle of the boards on 14 occasions this season.
Facing a sizable deficit, Toledo started the second stanza with a 10-2 burst to close the gap to 51-44 at 16:15, forcing UB into a timeout. Dortch contributed four points in the surge, while Richardson, junior Lecretia Smith and freshman Inma Zanoguera tallied baskets to make it a three-possession contest.
The Rockets could not pull any closer for the next 10-plus minutes, until they utilized a mini 7-3 run to trim the deficit to 63-58 with 6:03 left in regulation. The Midnight Blue & Gold received a spark off the bench from junior Kyle Baumgartner and sophomore Janelle Reed-Lewis to give them a fighting chance down the stretch.
The Bulls quickly re-established a nine-point bulge, before UT countered with a 9-0 run to complete the comeback and draw the teams even for the first time since the opening tip, 67-67, at 2:53. Ingersoll hit a pair of free throws and scored five points to spearhead the run, while Richardson and Dortch also tallied baskets.
Nytor Longar split a pair of free throws to momentarily give the lead back to UB, but Toledo's Ingersoll hit her third triple of the half to put the visitors in front for the first time, 70-68, with 2:25 remaining in the contest.
Buffalo's Longar converted a three-point play and Brittney Hedderson knocked down a jumper to give the home team the lead back, 73-70, with only 1:22 showing on the clock.
The Rockets desperately needed points with time becoming an issue and Dortch and Linn delivered with consecutive field goals to establish a lead they would not surrender, 74-73, with 35 seconds remaining.
Margeaux Gupilan misfired on the Bulls' next possession and they were forced to foul Dortch with 9.1 seconds showing on the clock. The Akron, OH native drained both charity tosses to establish a three-point bugle, 76-73.
UB quickly pushed the ball up the floor and received a layup from Teresa Semalulu. The home team was forced to foul Dortch again with only 3.1 seconds remaining.
Dortch split the free throws to keep it a one-possession game and gave the Bulls one final chance to possible force overtime, but UB was unable to get a shot off as the clock expired.
In the first half, Toledo struggled out of the gates for the second consecutive game. UT missed it first four shots from the floor, committed four turnovers and trailed 13-4 with 15:20 left in the opening period. UB's strong start was sparked by five points from Hedderson and four points each from Longar and Semalulu.
Toledo was not able to find any rhythm at either end of the court as the first half wore on and three-consecutive baskets from Buffalo's Christa Baccas made the deficit 22-12 at 9:27.
UT went on a brief spurt to close within six points, but Buffalo closed the stanza with a 23-14 run over the final six-plus minutes to open up a 49-34 advantage at the intermission. The 49 points surrendered in a half are the most by Toledo this season, surpassing Eastern Michigan's 47 first-half points on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
Hedderson led Buffalo with a game-high 23 points, but the MAC's second-leading scorer was held to only seven points in the second half.
The Bulls shot 49.2 percent (27-of-63) from the floor, including 28.6 percent (8-of-28) in the second period.
"We came up with some huge stops in the second half," Cullop said. "We needed everyone of them because of the deficit we put ourselves in."
The Rockets return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 1 when they host MAC East Division foe Akron. The opening tip against the Zips is slated for 7:00 p.m. inside Savage Arena.
Ohio def. Western Michigan, 72-59
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Ohio Women's Basketball ended its trip to Michigan on a high note Saturday, beating the Western Michigan Broncos by a final score of 72-59. Ohio's terrific shooting from the field was matched by a strong defensive performance, which at one point held the Broncos without a field goal for 10:37. The Bobcats also forced the hosts into 35 turnovers.
Ohio (10-12, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) used a 44-point first-half outburst--its highest single-half total of the season--to take control of the game early and cruised its way through the second half en route to claiming its tenth victory of the season. Ten victories marks the highest number of wins achieved since the 2008-09 campaign.
Ohio shot 18-of-20 from the free-throw line, connecting on 90 percent of its attempts. The Bobcats dominated the points off turnovers category, outscoring WMU 37-9 in this facet of the game.
Shavon Robinson led the way for the Green and White, tying a career high with 22 points. She was followed closely by three other `Cats who achieved double figures, as Tenishia Benson (14 points), Symone Lyles (11) and Mariah Byard (10) all scored at least ten points.
Maria Iaquaniello had a very good game for Western Michigan, leading the team with 22 points and nine rebounds. Julia Henson (16 points) and Rachel Adaline (11) also scored in double figures.
The Bobcats got off to a strong start, connecting on seven of their first 13 field goal attempts to take an early 14-8 lead. Robinson, Symone Lyles (Silver Spring, Md.) and Alesia Howard were all instrumental in the early going, each scoring four points in the first ten minutes. Both defenses played strong as well, as the teams combined for 12 turnovers during this time period.
Western (5-16, 2-6 MAC) got back into in the middle stages of the first half, pulling within five points at 16-11. Ohio then ripped off a 28-9 run to take a commanding 44-20 halftime lead. The Bobcats played incredible defense in the first half, only allowing the Broncos to shoot 30.8 percent from the field (8-of-26) and didn't allow Western to score a field goal in the final 7:37 of the half. Robinson (Canton, Ohio) led all scorers in the period, scoring ten points on 4-of-7 shooting. Not far behind her were Lyles (nine points) and Benson (eight).
The Bobcats shot an incredible 68 percent from the field in the first frame, connecting on 17 of their 25 field goals. Lyles was a perfect 3-for-3, a figure which included a 1-for-1 mark from beyond the arc.
Ohio forced the Broncos into 18 first-half turnovers, turning these miscues into 24 points. The Bobcats did have a little difficulty finding an answer for Iaquaniello, who scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting in the first half.
Western picked up the tempo in the second half, thanks in large part to the strong play of Iaquaniello. The senior guard scored eight quick points in the first ten minutes of the half, keeping her team in the game. An 8-0 run in the late stages of the game pulled the Broncos within 12 points with just over three minutes to play, but the Bobcats were able to close things out from the free-throw line.
The Bobcats will next be in action on Wednesday, Feb. 1 when Eastern Michigan comes to Athens. Tip-off between the Bobcats and Eagles is set for 7 p.m.