EMU Outlasts Division Leader WMU

Box score.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team pulled back into a tie atop the Mid-American Conference West Division with a 67-61 victory over Western Michigan University Tuesday evening here at University Arena. The Eagles entered the contest trailing the Broncos by a game in the standings, but now find themselves tied with an 8-4 record with just four games left in the regular season.

Eastern Michigan, now 14-10 (8-4 MAC), led by as many as 18 points in the second half but had to stave off a furious Western Michigan rally to claim the win. WMU used a 25-10 run to pull within a two, 63-61, with 53 second remaining. However, the EMU defense stepped up to hold WMU scoreless for the remainder of the game as senior center Colleen Russell (Windsor, Ontario-Brennan) laid one off the glass with 29 seconds to play. Sophomore forward Kelly Watts (Gary, Ind.-East Chicago Central) drained a pair of free throws with 15 seconds remaining to secure the 67-61 win.

Sophomore guard Alyssa Pittman (Elkhart, Ind.-Elkhart Memorial) led all scorers with 18 points on the night, going 7-of-11 from the floor. Russell added 16 points and three rebounds and Watts chipped in nine points and eight rebounds in a winning cause.

Western Michigan, now 11-15 (8-4 MAC), was paced by Brenna Banktson with 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Amanda Parker notched 12 points while Tiera DeLaHoussaye was held well below her average in points, rebounds and assists with 7, 5 and 7, respectively.

The Green and White shot 52.2 percent (24-of-46) for the contest, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. EMU controlled the glass, grabbing 41 rebounds to just 24, but committed 30 turnovers. Western shot just 32.8 percent (19-of-58) for the game.

As chilly as the weather outside, both teams were cold from the floor to open the contest. With eight minutes gone by Eastern Michigan held a slim two-point edge, 13-11, thanks impart to five straight points from senior guard Kivilcim Yamanoglu (Antalya, Turkey-Antalya College).

A 6-2 run by the Green and White grew the advantage to six, 19-13, with 8:26 to play in the first period. However, just as quick WMU would cut the deficit back to one, 19-18, on a Banktson jumper at the 6:35 mark. But on the sharp-shooting of four Pittman three-pointers, the Eastern Michigan lead ballooned to 15, 39-24, as EMU closed the half on a 20-6 run.

For the frame, the Eagles shot 50 percent (14-of-28) from the floor and a stellar 75 percent (6-of-8) from long-range. Conversely, the Broncos managed just a 27.6 percent (8-of-29) clip and made just 3-of-8 shots from beyond the arc. EMU committed 14 turnovers, however, to just nine for home standing WMU. EMU’s Pittman led all scorers with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting while grabbing four caroms. WMU was paced by Amanda Parker and Molly Dwyer with five points a piece.

The second 20 minutes of work began with a quick 5-2 run by the Brown and Gold to make it 40-29 and force head coach AnnMarie Gilbert to spend a timeout just 48 seconds in the half. The Green and White would recover and get the margin back to 15, 46-31, on freshman guard Cassie Schrock’s (Wadsworth,Ohio-Wadsworth) runner in the paint with 16:22 showing.

A pair of free throws by junior forward Amber Land (Kulm, N.D-Kulm) at the 12:30 mark made it 54-36, the largest of the contest. The scrappy Broncos would not fade though; going on a 13-4 run that was capped by a Ebony Cleary layup with 5:09 left to make it 58-49.

The 25-9 run continued for Western, as the Sarah Vest made it a four point hole, 63-59, with a pair of charity tosses with 1:53 showing. Two more Vest free throws with 55 seconds cut it to a pair, 63-61.

Then the EMU defense stepped, holding WMU scoreless for the remainder of the game as Russell banked a shot off the glass with 29 seconds to play to make it 65-61. The Broncos would have their opportunities to chip away at the led, but Dwyer’s shot would miss and was grabbed by Watts with 19 seconds to go.

WMU had to foul, sending Watts to the line for a chance at the one-and-one. Watts would miss the front end but grab her own rebound, and once again be fouled and sent to the line. This time Watts would convert on the tosses with 15 seconds showing to make it 67-61.

The Green and White return to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center Saturday, Feb. 23, for a divisional tussle against Ball State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the men’s basketball team playing host to Southeast Missouri State University following the conclusion of the women’s game. Brian Nemerovski and Ryan Wooley will call both games on WEMU 89.1 FM beginning at 1:50 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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