Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
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Western Michigan
EMU Falls at Western Michigan
1/21/2009 9:36:35 PM | Women's Basketball
Freshman Tavelyn James knocks down a career-best 27
Box score.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Freshman guard Tavelyn James (Detroit, Mich.-Mumford) had a career-best 27 points and sophomore Sydney Huntley-Rogers (Cincinnati, Ohio-Purcell Marian) chipped in 20, but the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team dropped its sixth-straight game, falling to Western Michigan University, 76-67, Wednesday evening, Jan. 21, at University Arena. The loss puts the Eagles at 4-13 overall and 0-5 in Mid-American Conference play while the Broncos (5-13, 1-4 MAC) captured their first MAC win of the season.
Hot-shooting was the story for both sides, as Eastern Michigan shot 46 percent (26-of-56) from the field. However, Western Michigan was even better connecting on 52 percent (27-of-52) of its shot, including draining nine three-pointers. The Broncos led from wire-to-wire in the decision, taking a lead as big a 16 points late in the second half.
The Eagles were led by James who had 27 points on the evening, including a 4-for-5 effort from the charity stripe. Huntley-Rogers notched 20 points to go along with three assists and three rebounds. Sophomore Cassie Schrock (Wadsworth,Ohio-Wadsworth) nearly hit double figures as well for the Eagles, chipping in eight points and seven rebounds.
The Broncos had four players in double figures, led by senior Tiera DeLaHoussaye with 17, but most of that came from the free-throw line by making 7-of-12 attempts. Brenna Bankston hit for 16, with Molly Dreher scoring 15 and Miame Giden chipping in 14 for Western. The Broncos also out-rebounded the Eagles, 31 to 30.
Out of the gate was a frenetic pace for both squads, with the teams combining for just four miss shots during the opening five minutes of action with the Broncos holding on to a 15-9 advantage. Western kept up the tempo allowing the margin to balloon to 10 points, 19-9, on a DeLaHoussaye fastbreak lay-up with 13:44 showing on the clock.
Just as quickly the momentum would turn in favor of the visitors, as the Eagles posted a 12-4 run over the next 4:47 to cut the lead to just a pair, 23-21, via a jumper from Huntley-Rogers at the 7:53 mark.
However, WMU would promptly counter with a Dwyer three-pointer to expand the margin back to five points. The home standing Broncos continued their hot-shooting, capitalizing with a 14-6 run to push the margin to 13 points, 40-27, capped off with a pair of back-to-back treys from Dwyer and Banktson.
Eastern would chip away with a pair of lay-up by James and put-back from Land with 21 seconds left in the half to head into the lockerroom down just seven, 40-33. For the period Eastern shot 60 percent (15-of-25) while Western managed a 47 percent (15-of-32) clip that included six buckets from long-range. On the glass the sides were nearly even with the Broncos hauling down 16 caroms to 13 for the Eagles.
Following the intermission the pace was again quickened but the score would remain in favor of the Broncos as the Eagles were working at whittling away at the deficit. A three by James made it a four point affair, 47-43, with 14:12 left but as the case was all night Western quickly responded with a bucket of its own to keep Eastern from getting any closer.
A 20-7 WMU run over the next 6:45 effectively put the game out of reach, as the Broncos lead grew to its biggest of the game at 16 points, 72-56, with 2:45 to play.
EMU would make it interesting though in the waning moments, using an 11-2 run to get back within seven, 74-67. DeLaHoussaye would make a pair of free-throw tosses though to seal the victory.
The Mid-American Conference switches to cross-divisional play Saturday, Jan. 24, as Eastern Michigan hosts Bowling Green State University at the Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. followed by the EMU men's basketball team hosting Western Michigan 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. For ticket information, call 734.487.2282 or visit EMUEagles.com.
