The 2018–19 Mid-American Conference women's basketball season began with practices in October 2018, followed by the start of the 2018–19 NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2019 and concluded in March 2019. Central Michigan won its third straight regular season title with a record of 15–3 by one game over Ohio. Cierra Dillard of Buffalo was named MAC player of the year.
Fourth-seeded Buffalo won the MAC tournament by beating Central Michigan in the semi-finals and Ohio in the final. Central Michigan was given an at large bid as an eight-seed in the Chicago Region of the NCAA tournament where they lost to Michigan State 89–88. Buffalo was the ten-seed in the Albany Region where they defeated Rutgers before losing to the eventual winner of the region Connecticut 84–72 Ohio, Kent State, Miami, and Toledo all qualified for the WNIT. Ohio won three games before losing to Northwestern and reached 30 total wins on the season.
Preseason awards The preseason coaches' poll and league awards were announced by the league office on October 31, 2018.
Preseason women's basketball coaches poll (First place votes in parentheses)
East Division Buffalo (4) 62 Miami (5) 61 Ohio (3) 57 Kent State 28 Bowling Green 27 Akron 17
West Division Central Michigan (12) 72 Toledo 52 Eastern Michigan 41 Northern Illinois 38 Ball State 34 Western Michigan 15
Regular season champion Central Michigan (9), Miami (2), Ohio (1)
Tournament champs Central Michigan (8), Buffalo (3), Northern Illinois (1)
Honors
Honor Recipient Preseason All-MAC EastCierra Dillard, Buffalo, Senior, GuardSummer Hemphill, Buffalo, Junior, ForwardLauren Dickerson, Miami, Junior, GuardKendall McCoy, Miami, Senior, Guard/Forward Cece Hooks, Ohio, Sophomore, Guard Preseason All-MAC WestReyna Frost, Central Michigan, Senior, ForwardPresley Hudson, Central Michigan, Senior, GuardDanielle Minott, Eastern Michigan, R-Senior, Guard Courtney Woods, Northern Illinois, Senior, Guard/ForwardKaayla McIntyre, Toledo, Senior, Center
Postseason
Mid–American tournament
NCAA tournament
Women's National Invitational Tournament
Postseason awards
Coach of the Year: Sue Guevara, Central Michigan Player of the Year: Reyna Frost, Central Michigan Freshman of the Year: Erica Johnson, Ohio Defensive Player of the Year: Cece Hooks, Ohio Sixth Man of the Year: Erica Johnson, Ohio
Honors Honor Recipient Postseason All-MAC First TeamCierra Dillard, BuffaloReyna Frost, Central MichiganPresley Hudson, Central Michigan Lauren Dickerson, MiamiCece Hooks, Ohio Postseason All-MAC Second TeamMegan Sefcik, AkronSummer Hemphill, BuffaloSavannah Kluesner, MiamiMikayla Voigt, Northern IllinoisKaayla McIntyre, Toledo Postseason All-MAC Third TeamAndrea Cecil, Bowling GreenMicaela Kelly, Central MichiganMegan Carter, Kent StateAmani Burke, Ohio Erica Johnson, Ohio Postseason All-MAC Honorable MentionOshlynn Brown, Ball StateDanielle Minott, Eastern MichiganKendall McCoy, MiamiMikaela Boyd, ToledoDeja Wimby, Western Michigan All-MAC Defensive Team Reyna Frost, Central Michigan Alexa Golden, Kent StateCece Hooks, OhioKaayla McIntyre, ToledoDeja Wimby, Western Michigan All-MAC Freshman TeamThelma Dis Agustsdottir, Ball StateMorgan McMillen, Bowling GreenAsiah Dingle, Kent StateLindsey Thall, Kent StateErica Johnson, Ohio
See also 2018–19 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season
References