Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, March 8
Quicken Loans Arena - Cleveland, Ohio
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
76
vs
66
Ohio (2006 Kraft MAC Tournament Quarterfinal Round)
Women's Basketball Tops Ohio in MAC Quarterfinals
3/8/2006 5:16:40 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior Nikki Knapp becomes the school's all-time leading rebounder
Box score.
Watch video highlights from the game and press conference...
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team outlasted Ohio, 76-66, in the first quarterfinal game of the MAC women's basketball tournament here at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena Wednesday afternoon. The Eagles will face Kent State game Friday at noon.
With the victory EMU improves to 22-6 on the year, while OU ends its season at 9-20.
Senior Ryan Coleman paced the Eastern attack with 24 points while teammates Patrice McKinney and Sarah VanMetre finished with 14 points each. Senior Nikki Knapp pulled down seven rebounds to become the school's all-time leader in career rebounds (786) passing Stephanie Smiley, who pulled down 785 career boards.
Rachel Frederick, the conference’s Freshman of the Year, led the Bobcats with 17 points.
In a game eerily similar to the team’s first meeting this season, the Eagles opened the contest with a 14-0 run over the first seven minutes of play. The Ohio Bobcats responded with an eight-point run of their own to pull within five points of Eastern with just over nine minutes left in the half. Ohio would pull no closer and went into halftime trailing 31-23.
The Bobcats came out much stronger in the second half. After just over three minutes of play, Ohio closed the gap to just six points. Ohio's offense continued its scoring streak and tied EMU with 5:20 left to play. The Eagles responded with one final offensive run of its own. The team went on a 10-point run late in the second half to take back the lead for good and win the quarterfinal game, 76-66.
In the only meeting of the season between EMU and Ohio, Feb. 8,at the Convo in Athens, Ohio, the Eagles raced out to a large first half lead only to see the Bobcats battle back. Eastern held off the Bobcat charge as Coleman sank a pair of free throws and forced a turnover with less 8 second remaining to capture the 62-56 decision.
Out of the gate EMU shot a perfect 5-for-5 while on the other side of the court OU struggled going 0-for-5 with nine turnovers over the first six minutes. Ohio would turn the tables the rest of the way, posting a 44.0 percent (22-of-40) clip compared to EMU’s 49.0 (24-of-40).
The Eagles continue tournament play Friday, March 10, battling Kent State at noon. The Golden Flashes advanced to the semifinals with a 69-52 victory over Ball State.
Postgame Notes
*Eastern Michigan evened its postseason record vs. Ohio at 1-1. EMU also won five of the last six games against the Bobcats.
*The Eagles 14-0 lead to start the game marked the second straight time they have jumped to a double-digit margin over Ohio in the opening minutes. In their regular season match-up, Eastern Michigan jumped out to a 17-2 lead to begin the game.
*Eastern Michigan has now won nine straight and 18 of its last 19 games. The Eagles are 10-6 in MAC Tournament play under Head Coach Suzy Merchant. Merchant needs just two more victories to reach 200 (198-117.) EMU has won now its MAC quarterfinal game in each of the last three seasons. Nikki Knapp became the school's all-time leader in career rebounds (786) passing Stephanie Smiley, who pulled down 785 career boards. The Eagles are now 18-0 when leading at halftime and 22-0 when leading with five minutes to play.
*Ohio fell in the MAC quarterfinals for the second straight season. The Bobcats were unable to put together their first three-game win streak of the season. Rachel Frederick led the Bobcats in scoring for the 10th time this season. Ohio finished the season 1-15 when trailing at halftime and 0-12 when an opponent scores 70 or more points. OU suffered its first loss of the season with Silva, Ward, Iglehart, Frederick and Redd as the starting five.
Postgame Notes
*Eastern Michigan evened its postseason record vs. Ohio at 1-1. EMU also won five of the last six games against the Bobcats.
*The Eagles 14-0 lead to start the game marked the second straight time they have jumped to a double-digit margin over Ohio in the opening minutes. In their regular season match-up, Eastern Michigan jumped out to a 17-2 lead to begin the game.
*Eastern Michigan has now won nine straight and 18 of its last 19 games. The Eagles are 10-6 in MAC Tournament play under Head Coach Suzy Merchant. Merchant needs just two more victories to reach 200 (198-117.) EMU has won now its MAC quarterfinal game in each of the last three seasons. Nikki Knapp became the school's all-time leader in career rebounds (786) passing Stephanie Smiley, who pulled down 785 career boards. The Eagles are now 18-0 when leading at halftime and 22-0 when leading with five minutes to play.
*Ohio fell in the MAC quarterfinals for the second straight season. The Bobcats were unable to put together their first three-game win streak of the season. Rachel Frederick led the Bobcats in scoring for the 10th time this season. Ohio finished the season 1-15 when trailing at halftime and 0-12 when an opponent scores 70 or more points. OU suffered its first loss of the season with Silva, Ward, Iglehart, Frederick and Redd as the starting five.
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