Western Michigan defeats Central Michigan 67-63 in first game of the 2017 MAC TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS
CLEVELAND, OH- The Central Michigan Chippewas women’s basketball team and the Western Michigan Broncos women’s basketball team squared off in the first game of the 2017 Mid American Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at noon at Quicken Loans Arena. The 8th seeded Broncos were able to beat the number 1 ranked Chippewas 67-63.
In the first quarter, the Chippewas led the Broncos 20 to 13. Sophomore guard Presley Hudson led the Chippewas with five points and was 2 for 3 from the court. The Chippewas led the Broncos by nine 33-24 at halftime. Central Michigan shot 14 of 30 from the court, and had seven assists as a team. Also, the Chippewas outrebounded the Broncos 25 to 19.
In the second half the game was pretty close, Western Michigan cut Central Michigan’s lead to four with 5:10 left in the 3rd quarter. (40-36). In the final quarter, Western Michigan fought there way all the back to only trail Central Michigan by one 63-62 with 21.8 seconds left in the game. Western was able to create a turnover, and Najee Smith made a clutch three pointer to take the lead over Central 65-63 with 12 seconds left in the game. Deja Wimby led her team with 17 points, seven assists, and three steals. The Broncos made the Chippewas commit 14 turnovers to seal the victory.
The Western Michigan Broncos will take on the winner of the Ohio Bobcats and Northern Illinois Huskies Quarterfinals game. The Semifinals game between the Broncos and the winner of that game will be on Friday at 11 am at the Q.
Below is the press conference with head coach of the Western Michigan Broncos Shane Clipfell and guards Deja Wimby and Najee Smith and their comments after the win.
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