Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Madonna
Women's Basketball Routs Madonna to Win Home Opener, 92-38
11/22/2008 3:33:41 PM | Women's Basketball
Four Eagles reach double figures to beat Crusaders
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team handily won its 2008-09 home opener and picked up its first win of the season, defeating the Madonna University Crusaders, 92-38, Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Convocation Center.
With the win, EMU moves to 1-2 on the season while Madonna falls to 2-7. The Eagles held the Crusaders to just six first half points, setting a Convocation Center record and besting the mark from last season when they held Temple Baptist (11-11-07) to 10 points in the first frame.
The Eagles placed four players in double figures, led by freshman Tavelyn James (Detroit, Mich.-Mumford) who scored 22 points with nine steals. Sophomore Cassie Schrock (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds while Mary Lawson (Alexandria, Va.-West Potomac (Jacksonville College)) and Sydney Huntley-Rogers (Cincinnati, Ohio-Purcell Marian) went for 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Eagles used an attacking defense to hold the Crusaders to 23 percent shooting (12-of-52), while forcing 33 turnovers. EMU racked up 24 steals, the second-best effort in team history. Eastern also dominated the glass, out-rebounding MU 51-40.
After Madonna knotted the score at 3-3, the Eagles went on a 13-0 run, keyed by five points from Huntley-Rogers to take a 16-3 lead with a little under 12 minutes remaining in the first frame. EMU continued to use a swarming defense and a fast break offense, increasing its lead to 30, 35-5, with 6:43 to go in the first, forcing a MU timeout.
Eastern hit the break with a commanding 46-6 lead, setting a new standard for fewest points allowed in a half. EMU shot 43 percent (15-of-35) from the field in the first half, including a 50 percent clip (4-for-8) from behind the arc. The Eagles took advantage of a strong defensive effort, forcing the Crusaders into 20 first half turnovers to result in 24 EMU points.
The Eagles never let up in the second half, taking a lead as large as 56 at the 11:37 mark.
EMU returns to the floor Monday, Nov. 24, to host the Siena College Saints. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
