EMU’s Late Rally Falls Short at FAU

Box score.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team erased a 11 point deficit, but its come back bid fell just short as the Eagles dropped a 75-71 decision to Florida Atlantic University Thursday evening in non-conference action here at the FAU Arena. EMU was led by junior Canea Williams (Mansfield, Ohio-Mansfield Senior) who scored a career-high 26 points, including 16 in the second half.

The Owls pulled out to an 11 points advantage, 51-40, with 12:52 left in the game, but the Eagles responded with a 13-1 run capped off by four consecutive points by junior Amber Land (Kulm, N.D-Kulm) to give EMU a 53-52 edge with 7:57 to go. An ensuing 15-5 Owl run would give FAU an eight point lead it would never relinquish.

With the loss Eastern Michigan falls to 4-4 on the season, while Florida Atlantic improves to 3-5.

The Eagles had three players in double figures, led by Williams' leading all scorers with 26. Senior Colleen Russell (Windsor, Ontario-Brennan) notched a career-best 15 points and Land posted 10, all of which came in the second half, and a team-high eight rebounds.

FAU had four players in double digits, led by Breana Givens' 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Carla Stubbs had 18 points and tied for the lead with eight rebounds. Brittany Bowe added 13 and Breana Cox added 10 points off the bench.

The Eagles out-shot the Owls 42 percent (28-of-67) to 38 percent (26-of-68), and held an advantage in points in the paint, 42 to 32. Eastern also collected three more rebounds than FAU, 46 to 43. However, FAU was able to make it to the charity stripe 29 times compared to just 12 for the Green and White, leading to 19 of their points.

Both teams took advantage of runs, the Eagles got off to a fast start early. Eastern went on an 11-2 run midway through the first half and after a three-pointer by sophomore Alyssa Pittman (Elkhart, Ind.-Elkhart Memorial) made it 23-14 with 10:48 showing. Down by as many as nine, 28-19, with 7:55 left in the period, FAU would claw back into it via a 14-2 run to take a 33-30 lead into the break.

FAU continued with a hot start following the intermission. The Owls lead would grow to 11 points following a jumper by Bowe made it 51-40 with 12:52 in the second half. The Green and White would not quit, starting a 13-1 run of its own to retake the lead at 53-52 with 7:57 left in the ball game.

But as they had all night long, FAU would respond with a run of its own to go back up by as many as eight points, 69-61, with 1:24 showing. The Eagles would cut the lead to just a pair, 71-69, on a put-back by Land with :31 seconds left, but would get no closer as free-throws down the stretch sealed the victory.

Eastern continues its swing through the Sunshine State Saturday afternoon, Dec. 8, versus Florida International University. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at Pharmed Arena in Miami, Fla.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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