On day one of the Women’s Basketball MAC Tournament here in Cleveland at Rocket Arena, all the top-seeded teams advanced to the semifinal games slated for Friday. Here’s a brief recap on the day
Game 1
Ball State 82
Western Michigan 53
Photo via Ball State Athletic Dept
The Ball State Cardinals played a very businesslike game to open the MAC tournament, routing Western Michigan. Ball State is the No. 1 seed for a reason, namely that its deep roster can and did create problems for Western Michigan all game long.
The Cardinals raced to a 25-15 first-quarter lead and never looked back. They buried the Broncos by halftime going up 38-20.
For the game, the Cardinals had five players score in double figures. Alex Richards led the team with 17 points. Both their point guard Ally Becki and off guard Madelyn Bischoff had 14 points. Marie Kiefer dropped 10 points and added 13 rebounds for a double-double. Elise Stucky notched 12 points.
The Cardinal looked locked in and ready to earn the MAC championship. First, they’ll have to get by Kent State, who beat Miami of Ohio in another quarterfinal game. Kent State is the reigning champs of the MAC, so tune back in for that game on Friday.
Game 2
Kent State 68
Miami (OH) 61
Photo via Imagn
Kent State was pushed toward the end of this matchup with Miami (OH) but came away with the victory. The game was tight through the first quarter and much of the second quarter but then the Flashes got a spark and went on a 16-0 run to take a 39-25 lead to the break.
From there, the Redhawks fought hard to get back and climbed to within a couple of possessions at the end but it wan’t enough as Kent State prevailed.
The Flashes had a very balanced offensive attack as all five starters scored in double figures. Mya Babbitt led the Flashes with 19 points. Bridget Dunn added 13 points. Janae Tyler and Dionna Gray each added 12 points. Jenna Batsch put in 10 points.
The defending MAC champs will now face Ball State on Friday in the semis.
Game 3
Toledo 76
Central Michigan 58
Photo via Toledo Athletic Dept
The No. 2 seeded Toledo Rockets struggled out of the gate and were down at halftime 36-31. However, they got it going big time in the third quarter when they went on a 14-0 run to take control of the ball game. They outscored Central Michigan 45-22 in the second half to run away with the victory.
The team was led by senior veteran guard Sammi Mikonowicz, who had 18 points. Nan Garcia added 16 points while making four three-pointers. Khera Goss scored nine points, and Destiny Robinson and Faith Fedd-Robinson each had eight points.
The Rockets have a very veteran team and will be a hard out as they go to the semis now, where they‘ll play Buffalo, who escaped in their win against Bowling Green
Game 4
Buffalo 65
Bowling Green 63
A shaky start by the Buffalo Bulls and solid play by a good Bowling Green team got the Falcons on top in the first half as they led 26-22. Bowling Green continued to get the ball down low to forward Erika Porter, who ended up with 19 points on the night, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a scrappy and fast-paced Bulls team. It was still 49-37 after three quarters in favor of the Falcons. That’s when the defensive stops by Buffalo and timid play by the Falcons started happening.
Bowling Green made many mistakes late in this game, and Buffalo took advantage of them each time.
Chellia Watson was the difference maker for the Bulls late in this one, as she was unstoppable. After scoring five points in the first half, she went for 22 points in the second half.
The game went down to the wire. With the game knotted at 63-63 with 30 seconds and Bowling Green in possession, the Falcons chose to try to score quickly rather than take the clock down to the end for a final shot. Buffalo took advantage and got the steal and then got a game-winner from Watson to give them the 65-63 lead.
Outside of Watson’s 27 points on the night, Kirsten Lewis-Williams had 15 points, while Lani Cornfield added 14 points.
Buffalo will now play Toledo in the other semifinal game on Friday.
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