MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — A dominant performance on the glass and a critical fourth-quarter surge propelled the Central Michigan women’s basketball team to a 66-57 victory over Kent State in a Mid-American Conference matchup Wednesday afternoon at McGuirk Arena.

The Chippewas, improving to 9-5 overall, overcame a sloppy offensive performance by leveraging a massive 17-4 advantage in offensive rebounds into a decisive 40-32 edge in points in the paint. That relentless effort on the boards compensated for 20 turnovers and a frigid 2-for-10 shooting afternoon from three-point range.

Kent State, which fell to 5-10, was led by a game-high 24 points from guard Mya Babbitt. The Golden Flashes’ aggressive defense forced those 20 Central Michigan turnovers and generated 15 steals, but they could not overcome their own offensive struggles, shooting just 40% from the field and committing 17 turnovers of their own.

The game’s pivotal sequence arrived late in the fourth quarter. After Babbitt connected on a deep three-pointer to pull Kent State within a single possession at 62-59 with just 24 seconds remaining, Central Michigan’s composure at the free-throw line sealed the outcome. Madi Morson and Taylor Anderson combined to hit four crucial free throws in the final 23 seconds to extinguish the Golden Flashes’ comeback bid.

Central Michigan established control early, sprinting to a 17-4 lead after the first quarter as Kent State managed just two field goals in the opening period. The Golden Flashes responded with a 19-point second quarter, fueled by Babbitt’s shooting, to claw back and trail just 25-23 at halftime.

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Central Michigan taking a 44-42 lead into the final frame. The Chippewas then opened the fourth on a 9-2 run, capped by a Lilah Turnbull three-pointer, to build a 53-44 advantage with 7:08 to play. Kent State would get no closer than three points the rest of the way.

Central Michigan’s Ayanna-Sarai Darrington, a 6-foot-2 forward from Lexington, Kentucky, was the anchor for the home team. She recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive end, in 27 minutes of action. Her interior presence was a constant issue for Kent State.

Anderson, a guard from South Lyon, Michigan, filled the stat sheet with 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Morson added 18 points for the Chippewas.

For Kent State, Babbitt’s 24 points came on 10-of-22 shooting. Emory Klatt contributed 7 points and 7 rebounds, while Tatiana Thomas added 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

The game was a contrast in styles. Kent State’s pressure defense created transition opportunities, resulting in 16 points off turnovers. Central Michigan, however, won the game with sheer volume, attempting five more field goals than Kent State and earning 12 more free throw attempts, a direct result of their work on the offensive glass.

The announced attendance at McGuirk Arena was 2,312.

Kent State will look to snap its three-game skid on the road at Eastern Michigan this Saturday. Central Michigan, now 2-1 in MAC play, travels to face Massachusetts on Saturday.