Men & women split home wins in Central-Western showdown

Chris Fowler scored 17 points, along with nine assists to lead the Central Michigan Chippewas to a 70-65 comeback win over the Western Michigan Broncos that gave the Chips sole possession of 2nd place in the MAC West division.

Rayshawn Simmons contributed with 13 points and Austin Steward added 11 points for the Chippewas.  David Brown & Drake Lamont led the Broncos with 17 points apiece, while Connar Tava & Thomas Wilder each had 12 points.

Both teams will continue MAC play this Tuesday night on the road at 7 pm.  Central Michigan (16-5, 6-4 MAC) heads to Ohio while Western Michigan (14-9, 5-5 MAC) travels to Bowling Green.


OTHER MEN'S BASKETBALL SCORES
- Illinois 59, MICHIGAN STATE 54
- Ohio 76, EASTERN MICHIGAN 73




The Western Michigan women got 27 points & 14 rebounds from junior Miracle Woods and a career-high 17 points from junior Jessica Jessing as the Broncos defeated their MAC & in-state rival Central Michigan Chippewas, 69-64.  The win was the first for WMU over CMU in five years and the first ever for the Bronco senior class.

The victory also keeps Western Michigan in sole possession of 1st place in the MAC West division with a 8-3 record (15-7 overall). The Broncos are 9-1 on their home floor this season and the team’s 15 wins are the most for the program since the 2003-04 team won 19 games.

This Wednesday night, Western Michigan travels to Northern Illinois for an 8 pm game while Central Michigan returns home to Mt. Pleasant to host Toledo at 7 pm.




The game between Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH) in Oxford has been postponed due to the funeral of EMU junior Shannise Heady that was held in her home state of Illinois.  Heady and fellow EMU student Jordan Hopkins died in an automobile accident on January 25th.

As a result, the Eagles-RedHawks game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 17th at 6 pm.  Eastern Michigan's next game will be this Wednesday night in Ypsilanti when they host Ball State at 7 pm.