Central Michigan Women’s Basketball Defeats Toledo in Thrilling Fourth-Quarter Comeback
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Central Michigan Women’s Basketball team secured a hard-fought 68-64 victory over Toledo on Wednesday night, overcoming a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter in front of a spirited crowd of 3,974 at Savage Arena. The win solidifies their position in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Chippewas Showcase Composure and Resilience
Head Coach Kristin Haynie praised her team’s composure, stating, “Proud of our composure and poise down the stretch in front of that tough, loud environment.” The Chippewas’ ability to perform under pressure was a key factor in their success.
Tournament Implications and Conference Standings
With a record of 11-5 in the MAC, Central Michigan has secured the fourth seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Toledo, now 8-7 in the MAC, finds themselves in a competitive battle for positioning with Kent State (7-8 MAC) and Bowling Green (8-8 MAC). CMU’s remaining regular season games are against Kent State and Bowling Green.
Darrington Leads the Charge in the Fourth Quarter
Ayanna-Sarai Darrington led all scorers with 20 points, with 12 of those coming in the crucial final frame. She orchestrated a 13-point swing, shifting the momentum from a 55-48 Toledo lead to a 67-61 Central Michigan advantage with just 17 seconds remaining. Despite battling foul trouble for much of the second half, including picking up her fourth foul with over two minutes left, Darrington remained a dominant force.
Coach Haynie highlighted Darrington’s mental fortitude: “Ana did a great job having short-term memory and not letting foul trouble grab her out of the game. She was huge for us in the fourth quarter.“
Anderson Delivers a Double-Double Performance
Taylor Anderson contributed a strong performance with 12 points and 14 rebounds, achieving her second double-double of the season. She also led the team with six of their 13 assists. Her all-around play was instrumental in the Chippewas’ victory.
Haynie commented on Anderson’s impact: “When she plays like that, good things happen for us. She lays it all out there on the floor, on top of guarding the team’s best player every night.“
Dominating the Glass and Key Runs
Central Michigan dominated the boards, finishing with a 40-25 rebounding advantage, fueled by Anderson’s 14 and Darrington’s seven. Anderson also added two steals. The Chippewas initially gained momentum with an 11-0 run in the second quarter, led by Anderson and Madi Morson, who finished with 17 points. They led 36-30 at halftime. Toledo responded with a 15-2 run in the third quarter, capitalizing on CMU’s 20 turnovers.
Defensive Stand Secures the Win
In the fourth quarter, Central Michigan’s defense stifled Toledo, holding them scoreless from the field for over seven minutes while mounting a 15-3 run. Darrington sealed the victory with a pair of free throws in the final seconds. The team focused on defensive stops and avoiding trading baskets.
Haynie explained the fourth-quarter strategy: “We told them we needed to get multiple stops in a row and cannot trade baskets with them. Getting stops helps our offense so we can push the ball in transition.“
Breaking the Drought and a Special Win for Anderson
This victory marked the finish of a drought against MAC opponents, being the first win over Toledo since January 27, 2021, also at Savage Arena. It also represented the first win against Bowling Green and Kent State since the 2020-21 campaign. All three wins have been dedicated to Taylor Anderson, representing her first victories against these respective conference rivals.
Haynie emphasized the significance of the win for Anderson: “We wanted to get that win for Taylor, so it was extra special to win it for her.“