Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Oakland
Eagles Cage Golden Grizzlies, 73-48
1/4/2006 9:07:52 PM | Women's Basketball
Rochester, Mich.—The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team defeated inter-state foe Oakland University, 73-48, here at the Athletics Center O’Rena in Rochester, Mich. With the win, EMU moves to 6-5 on the year while Oakland falls to 4-9.
Senior guard Ryan Coleman (Detroit, Mich.-Communication Media & Arts) led the Eagles with 25 points hitting 11-of-19 shots while senior forward Nikki Knapp (Blue Springs, Mo.-Blue Springs South) added 19 on 9-of-14. Freshman Kendra Gallert (Lowell, Mich.-Lowell) notched a career high seven points connecting on two first half three-point hoops and a free throw while Kiemetha Randle (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw) tallied two points on her only shot from the field. Oakland was led by junior Nicole Piggott who scored 17 points.
In a game of scoring runs, hot shooting from the field by EMU set the tone for the game as the Eagles hit a blistering 8-of-17 shots from three-point land for a 47 percent clip and shot 48 percent from the field connecting on 30-of-59 shots en route to their sixth victory of the season.
Oakland came out hot in the second half going on a 10-2 run to pull within six points, 39-33, at the 15 minute mark. EMU regained control outscoring the Golden Grizzlies 18-8 over the next seven minutes to take a, 57-41, lead on a Coleman three-pointer with 7:39 remaining in the game. From there, the Eagles put in overdrive and cruised to the 73-48 victory.
The Eagles opened the game on an 8-2 run sparked by Knapp who scored eight of the team’s first 10 points. Gallert also added two three-point hoops increasing the lead to,16-9, with 11:28 remaining in the first half. Oakland responded to pull within two, 16-14, but EMU went on another run, 13-2, to take a commanding, 29-16, lead at the 5:23 mark. EMU closed out the half to take a 37-23 lead into the locker room. Knapp led the Eagles with 14 first half points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field. The Grizzlies were led by Piggott who tallied 15 points.
The Eagles return home to the Convocation Center to begin Mid-American Conference play against Northern Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 7th at 7 p.m.
