Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Niagara
Eagles and Purple Eagles Battle for the First Time Since 2004
11/21/2009 4:28:47 PM | Women's Basketball
Game time set for Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
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TREK THROUGH THE EMPIRE STATE CONTINUES SUNDAY: Following a 77-55 victory over Siena College Thursday, Nov. 20, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team makes the 300 mile trek across the Empire State for a Sunday afternoon, Nov. 22, matchup against Niagara University. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. in the John J. “Taps” Gallagher Center. Following the game, Eastern Michigan will visit Philadelphia, Pa. for a Tuesday, Nov. 24, showdown with Temple University.
The Eagles are looking to remain perfect on the young season, while the Purple Eagles are 0-3 on the year after dropping a 66-49 decision Thursday, Nov. 19, to St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y.
A BULLSEYE ON NIAGARA: It will be battle of the birds Sunday, Nov. 22, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., as Eastern Michigan squares off against Niagara University. The schools are meeting for the second time with EMU holding the 1-0 edge in the series. The only other meeting was an opening round contest at the Best Western Roundball Classic hosted by the University of South Florida, Nov. 27, 2004, in Tampa, Fla. That game featured nine lead changes, as Ryan Coleman and Nikki Knapp both poured in 14 points, leading the Eagles to the upset over the host Bulls the following day to claim the tournament title.
ROAD TRIP TALE OF THE TAPE: During the Eagles' eight-day trip to Siena University, Niagara University and Temple University, Nov. 18-24, the Green and White will log 1,884 miles. The three consecutive road games mark the first-time since the 2006-07 season EMU will play three consecutive non-tournament games as the visiting team.
That year Eastern Michigan posted a 2-3 record during a five-game road swing to the exotic locations of Dayton, Ohio (Wright State University), Amherst, Mass. (University of Massachusetts), Normal, Ill. (Illinois State University), Greensboro, S.C. (Furman University) and Cullowhee, NC. (Western Carolina University).
NIAGARA TIES TO THE GREAT LAKES STATE: Niagara Head Coach Kendra Faustin grew up just 29 miles from EMU's campus in Hartland, Mich.. She went on to become a four-year starter in basketball at Lake Superior State University.
EQUALLING 2008-09 ALREADY: Just two road games this year's campaign and the Eagles have already surpassed their road win-total from the 2008-09 season. EMU's lone victory away from the Convocation Center last season came in the team's 13th road game, a 56-45 decision over Miami University at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio, Feb. 14, 2009.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC: Eastern is 8-4 all-time versus the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), having played Canisius College (4-2), Siena College (2-0), Marist College (1-0), Niagara University (1-0)and Saint Peter's College (0-2).
The Eagles' last road contest against a team from the Edison, N.J. based conference was Dec. 29, 2004, when Eastern rolled past the Golden Griffins of Canisius, 76-61, at the Koessler Athletic Center. That night Ryan Coleman paced EMU with 13 points, while Nikki Knapp and Melis Ulker added 12.
TEMPLE ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan and Temple have never met on the hardwood prior to Tuesday's scheduled contest. However, the schools are very familiar with each other with the Owls playing football as an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference. Temple will return the favor and travel to Ypsilanti for a non-conference tilt during the 2010-11 campaign.
MISSOURI ON MY MIND: Following the Thanksgiving break, the Eagles return to action versus Missouri State University Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Convocation Center. Eastern Michigan and Missouri State have never met on the hardwood prior to Sunday's scheduled contest.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE MISSOURI VALLEY: Eastern is 2-11 all time versus the St. Louis, Mo. based Missouri Valley Conference, having played against six of the 10 member institutions. EMU is 1-0 versus Creighton, 1-1 against Evansville, 0-1 with Bradley, 0-1 versus Southern Illinois, 0-4 against Illinois State, and 0-5 versus Indiana State.
The Eagles last win over a Missouri Valley team came during the 2000-01 campaign, when Eastern dominated Creighton, 50-35, in the finale of the Nassau Sun Splash Shootout in Nassau, Bahamas, Dec. 21.
SCHROCK RECORDS THE THIRD TRIPLE-DOUBLE IN EMU HISTORY: Junior Cassie Schrock became just the third player in EMU women's basketball history to record a triple-double as the Eagles defeated Marygrove, 87-45, Nov. 16. Schrock posted 11 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, joining All-Americans Stephanie Smiley and Ryan Coleman as the only women to accomplish the feat in the 34-year history of the program. Smiley turned in her triple-double Jan. 26, 2000, against Ohio University with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Coleman notched 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 91-50 victory over Western Michigan University, Feb. 12, 2005.
IT'S RAINING THREES!: Sophomore guard Tavelyn James tied the EMU single-game record with eight three-pointers in the 77-55 victory at Siena College, Nov. 20. They eight treys equal the mark of Marion Crandall, who knocked down eight in a senior day contest against Ball State University, Feb. 21, 2004, at the Convocation Center.
PIPING HOT TURNOVERS: After forcing 583 turnovers (20.1 per game) last season, Eastern Michigan is at it again early this year, causing 73 turnovers (24.3 per game) in its first three outings. The majority of those turnovers have come via EMU steals, with the Eagles registering 36 thefts (12.0 per game) after ranking third in the Mid-American Conference in that category last season.
