Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Saint Louis
Women's Basketball Downs St. Louis, 67-59
12/13/2005 1:11:25 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior Ryan Coleman tallies 20 points
YPSILANTI, Mich.—The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team defeated visiting Saint Louis University, 67-59, in a hard fought victory here Tuesday afternoon in the Convocation Center. With the win, Eastern moves to 4-4 on the year and Saint Louis falls to 1-6 on the season.
EMU was lead by senior Ryan Coleman (Detroit, Mich.-Communication and Media Arts) who tallied 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from three point range. Saint Louis was paced by Rachel Diener who notched 18 points.
A solid second half effort helped EMU secure its fourth victory of the season as the Eagles caught fire from three-point land going 5-for-10 for a staggering 50% clip and hit 44% from the field connecting on 12-of-27 shots. For the game, the Eagles hit 9-for-22 three-pointers for a 40% mark. In addition to Coleman’s 20 points, senior forward Nikki Knapp (Blue Springs, Mo.-Blue Springs South) notched 18 points and nine rebounds with junior Sarah VanMetre (Noblesville, Ind.-Noblesville) adding 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 three-pointers.
The second half opened up with the Eagles making an early run opening up a, 47-35, lead with Coleman, VanMetere and Annie Malatinsky (Holt, Mich.-Holt) each hitting three-pointers to ignite a 9-2 run. Rachel Diener sparked the St. Louis comeback connecting on two three-pointers to tie the game, 49-49. The game was nip and tuck throughout the half with EMU clinging to a four point lead, 61-57, with two minutes remaining in the contest. Coleman hit a clutch jumper to put the Eagles up six, 63-57, with a minute to go. Four of Knapp freethrows helped seal the 67-59 victory.
During the first 13 minutes of the first half, both teams came out trading baskets, but it was St. Louis that jumped out to an early 19-11 lead on hot shooting from the field. The Billikens shot a blistering 75% from three-point range connecting on 3-for-4 shots. EMU responded with a 13-2 run sparked by two consecutive jumpers and a three-pointer by senior Ryan Coleman propelling the Eagles to a 23-21 lead with nine minutes remaining in the half. St. Louis regained the lead outscoring EMU 12-6 down the stretch to take a, 33-29, lead at the half. Coleman led the Eagles with 10 points while St. Louis was paced by Diener and Jackie Gilbert who each tallied 10 points.
The Eagles are next in action Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Convocation Center when they take on nationally ranked Utah at 7 p.m.
