Dayton Escapes with 59-57 Victory

Box score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – In a non-conference battle on Education Day at the Convocation Center, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team gave the University of Dayton all it could handle in a 59-57 setback here Friday afternoon. The Eagles led by as many as 11 midway through the second period, but the Flyers used to 13-0 run to take their first lead since the contest’s opening moments. Sophomore guard Alyssa Pittman (Elkhart, Ind.-Elkhart Memorial) had a shot to tie the game with :07 seconds to play but the shot was blocked sealing the Dayton victory.

Dayton, which currently holds the nation’s third-longest winning streak, used a potent offense attack and timely defense to collect their 11th consecutive victory and improve to 11-2 overall. On the other side of the court the Eagles fall to 5-5 on the season.

For the game the Flyers shot 40.7 percent (22-of-54) from the field and held a 32-18 advantage in points in the paint. The Eagles connected on a 38 percent clip (21-of-54) from the field including 40 percent (8-of-20) from beyond the arc.

Senior center Colleen Russell (Windsor, Ontario-Brennan) led the Eagles with a career-best 17 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Pittman added 16 points and sophomore forward Kelly Watts (Gary, Ind.-East Chicago Central) had a team-best nine rebounds.

Kristin Daugherty was the top scorer for Dayton with 20 points, while Nikki Oakland contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Eagles and Flyers opened the game trading baskets, but a three-pointer from junior guard Canea Williams (Mansfield, Ohio-Mansfield Senior) and six points from Russell gave EMU an early 11-6 lead with just over four minutes gone by. Following a time-out, Pittman drained a three pointer from the wing to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead at the 13:12 mark.

The Green and White advantage would grow to eight, 17-9, as Pittman drained a trey and senior guard Kivilcim Yamanoglu (Antalya, Turkey-Ozel Antalya) would lay one off the glass with 11:10 showing on the clock. Dayton, however, answered with some hot shooting of their own, as Daugherty would knock down a three-pointer combined with back-to-back lay ups from Kelly Keil cut the Eagles lead to three, 25-22, at the 5:01 mark.

Both teams exchanged buckets and free throws the rest of the way, as the Eagles headed into the locker room up 33-26. The Eagles forced Dayton into eight first half turnovers, which led to seven fast break points. The Eagles shot 48 percent in the first half on 12-of-25 shooting, while Dayton shot 38 percent (10-of-26).

Following the intermission, EMU continued its strong play, as Williams and Pittman combined to hit four three-pointers to give the Eagles an 11-point lead, 51-40, with just over 10 minutes left to play.

However, the momentum was starting to swing in Dayton’s favor. The Flyers picked up the tempo and clawed back in the game with a 13-0 run to take the lead at 53-51 with 4:34 to go. As hot as Dayton was EMU was just as cold going 7:47 without a field goal until freshman Cassie Schrock (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) banked in a three to once again knot the score at 55 with 1:46 left.

Back down the court, Daugherty answered as she hit a three to make it 58-55 with 1:26 remaining. Eastern cut the margin to one, 58-57, on a Russell jumper. Dayton would turn the ball over and Pittman would have a look at the bucket with :07 seconds but her shot was blocked by Keil. Keil would knock down the first of a pair of free throws to once again give Dayton a two point lead at 59-57 with :06 seconds to go.

With one final chance to win or tie the game, Dayton pressured the Eagles forcing a half-court attempt by Pittman that was off target as time expired.

Eastern Michigan will take a few days off to enjoy the holidays before getting back into action Friday, Dec. 28, versus another Atlantic-10 Conference opponent. Tip-off versus Duquesne is schedule for 4 p.m. in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Related News

Next Event

Related Videos