Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Chicago State
EMU Edges Chicago State, 68-61
12/10/2008 8:25:19 PM | Women's Basketball
Three Eagles reach double-figures against the Cougars
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team remained perfect all-time against Chicago State University Wednesday night, Dec. 11, earning a 68-61 non-conference victory over the visiting Cougars at the EMU Convocation Center. The win marked the Eagles' ninth consecutive victory over the Cougars dating back to the 1993-94 campaign.
With the win, the Eagles improve to 3-6 on the young season, while CSU drops to 4-5.
The Cougars had two players in double-digits, as Alyssa Waldon scored 17 and Jael Pena added 10.
EMU had three players in double digits, led by sophomore guard Cassie Schrock’s (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) 19 points and nine rebounds. Freshman guard Tavelyn James (Detroit, Mich.-Mumford) chipped in 18 points of her own, to go along with seven off the glass. Sophomore guard Sydney Huntley-Rodgers (Cincinnati, Ohio- Purcell Marian) added 12 points and nine assists.
For the game, the Eagles shot a scorching 48 percent (24-of-50) while the Cougars went 20-of-65, good for a 30.8 percent clip.
The Eagles struggled to get onto the board in the first frame, as the Cougars put up the first five points to open the half, holding the Eagles’ offense scoreless until a Shana McKinney (Detroit, Mich.-Osborn-Wayne C. C. C.) charity toss at the 17:07 mark put the home team on the board.
Following a bucket by CSU’s Elana Wroten, the Eagles would piece together eight consecutive points to take the lead, 9-7. EMU continued to build a ten point lead, 19-9, but the Cougars would begin to whittle away the EMU lead, as the Eagles held a two-point advantage, 33-31, heading into intermission.
James led all EMU scorers at half, hitting double digits with 12 points while grabbing four off the glass. Huntley-Rogers added seven. For CSU, Jasmin Dixon led all Cougar scorers with seven points and two assists in the first frame.
With the Eagle’s two-point lead at the break, Eastern came out of halftime firing, building its lead to 15, 52-37, with 10:58 remaining in the game. CSU would then put together a 10-3 run to cut away the EMU lead to eight, 55-47, with 7:33 showing on the clock.
Pairs of free throws from James and Huntley-Rodgers would put the Eagles up by 12, 59-47. A last-minute rally by the Cougars would fall short, securing the victory for the Green and White.
The Eagles will be back in the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center Saturday, Dec. 20, hosting the University of Detroit Mercy in a 2 p.m. matchup as part of a doubleheader with the men’s team. EMU will honor NBA legend George Gervin at halftime of the men's game versus St. Bonaventure.
