EMU Captures a Share of West Division Championship with 73-65 Victory

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YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball used a 20-7 run in the second half to defeat Central Michigan University, 73-65, Wednesday evening, March 4, here at the Convocation Center. The Eagles won a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division Championship and kept possession of the Michigan MAC trophy by defeating the Chippewas.

With the win, EMU (17-11, 11-5 MAC) secured a share of the MAC West Division title, the second title in three years. The Eagles will receive the West No. 2 seed for the tournament, as Ball State holds the tiebreaker over EMU. The Eagles also keep possession of the Michigan MAC trophy, as EMU went 3-1 against CMU and WMU.

Head coach AnnMarie Gilbert becomes only the fourth coach in conference history to win a MAC title in her first season.

Before the game, seniors Colleen Russell (Windsor, Ont.-Brennan), Brittany Tyson (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Huron-Western Michigan) and Kivilcim Yamanoglu (Antalya, Turkey-Ozel Antalya) were honored as part of senior night.

EMU was led by the duo of freshman Cassie Schrock (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) with a career high 20 points and Russell, who scored 19 with five rebounds. Alyssa Pittman (Elkhart, Ind.-Memorial) chipped in 13 for the Green and White, while Canea Williams (Mansfield, Ohio-Mansfield Senior) grabbed seven boards. For the game, the Eagles shot 44.9 percent (22-of-49), compared to 42.4 percent (25-59) for the Chips.

The Eagles jumped out to a five-point lead out of the gate, forcing a Chippewa timeout less than two minutes into the contest. EMU continued to pressure defensively, not allowing CMU to score until 15:10 remaining, with the Eagles leading 11-3. The Green and White kept the defensive pressure up, forcing the Chips into nine turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game, to build a 16-5 lead.

The Eagles built the advantage to as many as 15, but CMU cut into the lead over the next several minutes. A fast break lay-up by the Chips closed the gap to three, 24-21, forcing an Eagle timeout with 5:11 remaining in the first half. A pair of Schrock free throws with 3:53 remaining in the half ended almost a three minute scoring drought for the Green and White, pushing the lead back to five, 26-21.

EMU went into the locker room with a 28-25 advantage, after a Schrock jumper at the buzzer did not count. EMU was led by Tyson’s six points, with Russell and Schrock each chipping in five. Both teams struggled offensively, as EMU shot 34.4 percent (11-of-32), compared to 40 percent (10-of-25) for the visitors. The Eagle defense forced 16 Chippewa turnovers in the first half, leading to 17 points.

Coming out of the break, both teams picked up the tempo offensively, combining for 21 points in the first four minutes. The EMU lead was pushed to 10 after Schrock hit her second triple of the half with 16:38 remaining. The Chips answered with ten straight points to tie the game at 41 with 14:29 left in the game, forcing an EMU timeout.

The Eagles went on an 8-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 49-43 advantage with 11:25 left in the game. The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes until Pittman went on a tear, scoring six straight points to push the lead to 13, 61-48, with 3:56 remaining.

CMU would not go away, scoring seven straight to get within seven, but Russell responded with a lay-up to put Eastern up by 10, 65-55 with 1:45 to go. CMU would get no closer than eight the rest of the way.

The Eagles will be back in action Tuesday, March 11, when they will face either Ohio or Central Michigan in MAC Tournament Quarterfinal action at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. For ticket information, contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.2282.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Captures a Share of West Division Championship with 73-65 Victory

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