MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Central Michigan women’s basketball team to a 77-64 victory over in-state rival Eastern Michigan in a Mid-American Conference game Saturday at McGuirk Arena.

The Chippewas, improving to 10-6 overall and 3-1 in the MAC, broke open a tight contest by outscoring the Eagles 26-18 in the pivotal third period. That explosion turned a slim 34-31 halftime lead into a commanding 60-49 advantage heading into the final quarter, a margin Eastern Michigan could not overcome.

The most important part of the game unfolded in that decisive third quarter. After a back-and-forth first half that featured seven lead changes and neither team leading by more than five points, Central Michigan seized control with a 14-4 run over a five-minute span. The catalyst was a significant shift in defensive pressure and offensive efficiency. The Chippewas forced six Eastern Michigan turnovers in the quarter, converting them into 10 points, while also establishing a decisive presence in the paint, scoring 14 of their 26 third-quarter points from close range. This stretch effectively drained the momentum from the Eagles, who entered the quarter down just three points but saw the game slip away as Central Michigan’s offensive rating soared.

Central Michigan guard Madi Morson, a junior from Canton, Michigan, led all scorers with 24 points, adding four rebounds in 34 minutes. Her backcourt mate, Lilah Turnbull of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provided crucial all-around play with 14 points, four assists and four steals. The Chippewas’ interior was anchored by Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Lexington, Kentucky, who posted 12 points, three assists and three steals.

Eastern Michigan, which fell to 7-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play, was led by 17 points from junior guard Fernanda Ovalle of Santiago, Chile. Center Sisi Eleko, a freshman from Montreal, Canada, recorded a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Guard Ainhoa Cea of Irun, Spain, contributed eight points, four assists and four steals in a team-high 38 minutes.

The game was ultimately decided by Central Michigan’s superior shooting and ability to capitalize on mistakes. The Chippewas shot 54.4% from the field, compared to Eastern Michigan’s 40.7%. While both teams struggled from three-point range, each making six, Central Michigan did so on 15 attempts for a 40% clip, while the Eagles needed 20 tries, shooting 30%. Central Michigan also held a 40-28 advantage in points in the paint and scored 18 points off 19 Eastern Michigan turnovers.

The Eagles kept pace early, trailing just 19-14 after one quarter and staying within three at the half behind 11 first-half points from Eleko. However, their offense stagnated against Central Michigan’s intensified second-half defense, managing an offensive rating of just 89.9 for the game. The Chippewas, meanwhile, operated at a highly efficient 109.6 points per 100 possessions.

Central Michigan also won the battle on the boards, securing 11 offensive rebounds which led to 12 second-chance points, and out-assisted the Eagles 15 to 6 despite committing 19 turnovers.

A crowd of 1,491 watched the Chippewas maintain their strong home-court form, while Eastern Michigan’s road struggles continued, dropping their third straight conference game away from Ypsilanti.

Eastern Michigan returns to action Tuesday at home against Toledo. Central Michigan travels to face Akron on Wednesday.