Eastern Michigan Athletics
Women's Basketball Opens MAC Play Wednesday Night in Muncie
1/5/2009 11:56:32 AM | Women's Basketball
Eagles and Cardinals square off in 2009 Mid-American Conference opener
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EAGLES AND CARDINALS SET TO OPEN THE MAC SLATE: With a gruelling non-conference slate behind them, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team opens the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule Wednesday, Jan. 7, against Ball State University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at John E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind. Wednesday’s contest pits the MAC’s 2007-08 West Division co-champions, as both sides posted identical 11-5 league records. Eastern Michigan enters the game with a mark of 4-8 after falling 61-54 to the University of Dayton, Jan. 4. The Cardinals are 7-6 on the season, but come in reeling following a pair of setbacks to the University of Alabama (L, 75-81 – Dec. 30) and Saint Louis University (L, 69-79 – Jan. 4).
THE SERIES VERSUS BALL STATE: Wednesday night’s contest marks the 57th meeting between the Cardinals and Eagles, who first played during the 1979-80 season. EMU leads the series, 31-25, but Ball State has won the last four meetings by an average of seven points a game (59.0 to 66.0). In both meetings last season, the Eagles found themselves in a large hole before nearly rallying to defeat the Cardinals in the waning moments. In the first meeting in Muncie, Ind., Jan. 15, 2008, Eastern Michigan overcame a 17-point first half deficit to take a four-point edge, however Ball State used a late push to claim the hard-fought 71-64 victory at Worthen Arena. Then in the season finale back in Ypsilanti, the Eagles mounted a furious second-half comeback, but were unable to overcome a 19-point first half deficit, falling to the Cardinals, 64-53, Feb. 23, 2008, at the Convocation Center.
EMU IN MAC OPENERS: Eastern Michigan opens its 28th Mid-American Conference slate Wednesday night, Jan. 7, versus the Cardinals of Ball State University. The Eagles and Cardinals have faced off two previous times in the MAC lid lifter with the series tied at 1-1 in those games. The last occurrence was to start the 1991 campaign when EMU notched a 67-57 victory in Muncie, Ind., Jan. 2.The Green and White are 12-15 all-time in league openers dating back to 1981-82. EMU has won the last six MAC opening tilts dating back to the 2002-03 season, including a 61-42 decision over Northern Illinois University last year at the Convocation Center, Jan. 9, 2008.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN ON THE HORIZON: Saturday’s contest marks the 62nd meeting between the Chippewas and Eagles, who first met during the 1976-77 season. CMU leads the overall series, 32-29, but Eastern currently holds a 16-game winning streak over the Maroon and Gold dating back to the 2000-01 season. During the span, the Eagles are winning games by an average of 13 points (68.4 to 55.5) including posting a 68-66 decision at Rose Arena, Jan. 19, 2008, and a 73-65 win at the Convocation Center, March 5, 2008. The game is the first leg of a doubleheader with the EMU men’s basketball team playing host to Ball State University following the conclusion of the women’s game which begins at 2 p.m. The Ball State Television Network will be beaming the contest back for fans to watch throughout the Hoosier State.
VOTE JAMES, TAVELYN JAMES: The presidential election might be over but another race is just heating up – the battle for the Mid-American Conference’s Freshman of the Year honor. Tavelyn James has already shown that she deserves heavily considered for the award. In 12 games, the Detroit native is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.9 assists in 30.4 minutes per game. She leads the Eagles in both field goals made (64), field goals attempted (152) and is ranked second in steals (25) and rebounds (40). James is ranked ninth in the MAC in scoring and is the leader in points per game among the five first-year student-athletes that crack the league’s top 30.
Now I’m Following You: EMU currently holds the longest streak in the Mid-American Conference for most consecutive non-losing league campaigns at 10. Kent State had held the standard for above .500 campaigns at 17 dating back to 1990-91, but the Golden Flashes’ streak ended last season.
HOME IS WHERE THE "W" IS: Since its opening in the fall of 1998, the Convocation Center has proved to be a great home court advantage for the EMU women’s basketball team. The Green and White have boasted a 92-40 record since opening with a 75-64 setback to Saint Peter’s College, Nov. 15, 1998. EMU’s first victory in the new facility came a few weeks later when the Eagles upended Bowling Green State University, 55-42, Jan. 6, 1999. Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-American Ryan Coleman (2002-03 until 2005-06) holds the standard for most points scored in the facility with 728 of her 1,793 career points falling inside the Convo. Fellow All-American Stephanie Smiley (1998-99 until 2001-02) holds the rebounding record with 354 of her 784 boards occurring in the 204,316 square foot building.
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE: A total of 15 players have seen court time in EMU’s games this season. Nine of those 15 players are averaging 10 minutes or more. Sophomore Cassie Schrock leads the way with 36.9 minutes per outing.
