Eagles Fall to Northern Arizona

Box score.

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team dropped an 89-69, decision to Northern Arizona University Friday night in the opening round of the Verizon Wireless/Arizona State Classic here at the Wells Fargo Arena. The Eagles will be in action again tomorrow, Dec. 2, against Boston University in the tournament’s consolation game starting at 4 p.m. MST

With the loss EMU falls to 2-2 on the season, while the Lumberjacks improve to 5-3. Also, in opening round action of the ASU Classic, the host Sun Devils defeated BU, 75-53 and will face NAU in the championship game.

Senior forward Sarah VanMetre led the Eagles with 22 points, while freshman Emily Hanley scored a career-high 15. NAU’s Kim Winkfield led all scores with 25, while dishing out 11 assists. Alyssa Wahl chipped in with 23.

The Lumberjacks opened the first half strong jumping out to an early 11-6, including a 7-0 run with 13:40 left. NAU pulled ahead by eight, 20-12 with 9:36, with EMU starters Patrice McKinney and Hanley getting an early foul trouble forcing them to the bench. The Eagles cut the lead to one, 29-28, with 3:37 to go via a three-pointer by Alyssa Pittman. The Lumberjacks connected on two free-throws with :00.6 second remaining to take a 38-33 advantage into the locker room.

Winkfield led all scores in the first half with 17, including 10 over the final six minutes. VanMetre paced the EMU attack with 13 points. The Eagles had troubles from the foul line, connecting on only 1-of-7 tries in the opening half.

NAU led the entire second frame, extending the lead to nine, 43-34, with 18:07 remaining. The Eagles battled back to make it a one possession game, trailing 53-50, with 12:15 to go. However, a 13-5 Lumberjacks run help put the game out of reach at 66-55, with 8:08 on the clock. NAU extended the led by as many as 20, 89-69, with just :59 seconds left in the contest.

Additional Game Notes:

For the first time in nine years, EMU head coach Suzy Merchant was not on the Eagles' sideline. In her absence, longtime assistant coach Shane Clipfell coached the team. Merchant, who is expecting her first child in late December, did not travel with the team after advisement from her physicians. The Eagles’ mentor will remain with the team during practices and the Dec. 6 home contest against Detroit. Following the UDM game, the Eagles will hit the road for five more road contests during the month in which Clipfell will handle the responsibilities on a fill-in basis. Merchant is expected to resume her full-time role sometime in the winter semester.

With the setback, EMU fell to 22-12 during in-season tournament games since the 1998-99 campaign.

Friday night's game marked the first time that EMU has ever played in the state of Arizona. It also marked EMU’s first meeting with Northern Arizona.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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