Chippewas win second straight, best Cincinnati
Sophomore guard Molly Davis was one of four Central Michigan players to finish in doubledigits in the scoring column Saturday from Mcguirk Arena in the Chippewas’ 79- 62 nonconference win over Cincinnati.
As it was Davis finished with 25 points, five assists and seven rebounds in leading the Chippewas (2-1, 1- 0 MAC) past the Bearcats (1-3). She hit 4- of- 6 three-pointers in the game and went 8-for13 from the floor.
“I think it’s great for our program; I think it’s great for our university,” CMU coach Heather Oesterle said of the victory. “That’s a great team that we just beat with one of the top players in the country on that team.”
After a 27-27 tie at the end of one quarter the Chippewas pulled away in the second and third stanzas to claim a 62-50 lead going into the fourth quarter. For the game the host shot well, hitting at a 43-percent clip from the field (24-for-56) and from beyond the 3-point arc (13-for-30).
The Chippewas made 18 of their 22 free throw attempts after going to the line just once in their 82-71 win on Wednesday over Western Michigan.
Conversely, Cincinnati hit at a 39-percent clip from the floor (25-for- 65) and at 26-percent from downtown (6-for-23).
Seniors Kyra Bussell and Maddy Watters both had great games too as Bussell recorded a doubledouble with 19 points and 10 boards. Watters chipped in 16 points while Micaela Kelly had 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.
“She’s always steady,” Oesterle said of Watters. “We can count on her for leadership and every time she shoots the ball I think it’s going in. She’s a tough matchup for people. It’s been huge to have her back the last two games and I think this is going to be a great year for her. I’m just happy that, knock on wood, we’re at full strength right now.”
Ilmar’l Thomas paced the Bearcats with 25 points and eight rebounds. She was the only Cincinnati player to reach double- digits in scoring.
The Chippewas return
to action at home Tuesday when they host Miami for a 2 p.m. Mid-american Conference contest.
From there they play at Michigan State on Friday at 5 p.m.