Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Idaho State
Eagles Caged by the Bengals, 78-61, in Wahine Classic Finale
11/27/2005 5:47:03 PM | Women's Basketball
EMU Takes Eighth Pace in the Eight-Team Tournament
The Eagles (2-3) never led as the Bengals (1-3) jumped out to a 12-4 lead with 15:27 to play in the half on the strength of a pair of three-pointers by Chelsey Chambers. The
The Eastern offense finally began to show signs of life after the media timeout at the 3:32 mark. EMU went on a 13-8 run over the half’s closing minutes to take a nine-point deficit into the locker room, 38-29. Sophomore Colleen Russell led all scorers with 12 points, while senior Melis Ulker added five points and three bounds. ISU was paced by Natalie Doma’s 10 points.
In the second half, the Eagles got within six, 38-32, as junior Annie Malatinsky connected on a long-range three with 19:18 remaining.
Senior Nikki Knapp led the Green and White with 16 points and four rebounds off the bench. Russell had 14 points and six boards, while Ulker poured in 10 points.
Five ISU players turned in double-digits in points led by Doma with 19 points. Joanna Hixon turned in a game-best 15 rebounds as the Bengals grabbed 52 caroms in the victory,
EMU returns to the friendly confines of the
Notes:
The loss drops EMU under .500 for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign, breaking a streak of 65 consecutive games with a winning record. In 2002-03, the Eagles posted a 13-16 record the worst of Head Coach Suzy Merchant’s eight-year tenure.
EMU was out rebounded by 17 (52 to 35)
Eastern’s current three-game losing streak is the longest since 2003 (4 games – Jan. 25 to Feb. 8)
Sophomore Canea Williams left the game late in the second half with a leg injury – she did not return.
ISU is now 2-0 all-time versus EMU. The Bengals edged the Eagles, 75-74, in the championship game of the ISU Tournament, Nov. 22, 1997.
