Central Michigan 69, Bowling Green 66
Boxscore
Sue Guevara Interview
Crystal Bradford Interview
Taylor Johnson Interview
CLEVELAND, Ohio—The No. 5 Central Michigan Chippewas upset the No. 1 Bowling Green Falcons 69-66, Friday afternoon during the semifinal round of the 2012 First Energy Mid-American Conference Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena.
Today’s loss ends the Falcons streak at making it to the championship game for the fourth potential year in a row. Previous to today’s game, the Falcons have also worked their way to the championship game seven of the last eight years.
Central started the game on a 6-0 spurt and held the lead in the first half up until the 12 minute mark where a pair of Jillian Halfhill free throws would give the Falcons the temporary lead 17-15. Bowling Green raised their lead to seven in the first half but struggled to close it out going to the locker-room down 26-29.
Taylor Johnson led the way with 12 points in the opening portion for Central Michigan, going 5-7 from the field and sinking both of her long-range attempts.
The Chippewas pounded the ball inside the entire game and pulled away by as much as 11 points at the 10:18 mark in the second. Central Michigan dominated in the paint scoring 46 of their 69 points down low.
The Falcons were outmaneuvered down in the post by Jas’Mine Bracey and Crystal Bradford, both pulled in 12 boards. Bradford led the bench scoring for the Chippewas with 20 of the 32 points.
The Falcon found life in the second half bringing the score margin to within one just over the two minute mark. Bradford however would put an end to Bowling Green’s hopes. Bradford earned her stripes and Powerade player of the game honor by taking control of the rest of the game. Bradford went 3-3 from the field, made a free throw and gathered in a steal to close it out for the Chippewas.
Both Chrissy Steffen and Alexis Rodgers finished with 14 points on the afternoon for the Falcons. Rodgers had her 10th double-double of the season posting 11 rebounds as well.
The Chippewas improve their record on the season to 20-14 and the Falcons bow out at 19-14.
Central Michigan will face the winner of the No.2 Eastern Michigan and No. 3 Toledo matchup in the First Energy MAC Tournament Championship Saturday, March 10th with tipoff scheduled at 1 p.m.