Boxscore

MOUNT PLEASANT, MICH. - Central Michigan connected on 10-of-17 shots from long range and rode a hot shooting first half en route to an 88-60 win over Howard Saturday afternoon at Rosa Arena. The Chippewas were ranked eighth in the nation in 3-pt field goals made entering Saturday's contest.

Central Michigan, who improved to 3-7 on the season, used a big first half to pull away from the Bison. CMU opened up a double-digit lead with 13:01 remaining before intermission, when Kaihla Szunko's layup gave the Chippewas a 12-point lead at 19-7.

Howard put together a 5-0 run spurred by a trey by Zykia Brown and HU trailed by seven with 12:06 remaining.

Central Michigan responded with a timeout and a 13-0 run to close the half for a 57-26 lead at the break. Shonda Long sparked the run by scoring eight points.

The Chippewas made 22-of-34 shots (64.7%) in the first half while limiting Howard to 36% field goal shooting (12-of-33).

Long finished the game 6-of-7 from the floor and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. CMU also received 12 points from Szunko.

Howard, which dropped to 3-6 on the season, was led Brown who scored 18 points. Saadia Doyle added 16 points for the Lady Bison.

Howard shot only 35.9 percent from the floor, but out-rebounded the Chippewas 41-37 and held a 13-12 advantage in steals.

The Bison are off for the next 10 days and return to action in their final games of 2009, the Hawk Holiday Classic presented by Staybridge Suites and Hotels. Tourney play pits Howard against host Monmouth in a 2 p.m. matchup on Dec. 29. The Bison face LaSalle or Holy Cross in the finale on Dec. 30.