Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Missouri State
Backcourt Trio Shoots Eagles Past Lady Bears, 93-81
11/29/2009 4:13:10 PM | Women's Basketball
James, Schrock and Rogers combine for 71 points in the win over MSU
Box score.
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Despite falling behind eight points early in the game, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team was able to bounce back and pull away for a 93-81 win over the visiting Lady Bears of Missouri State University here at the Convocation Center, Sunday, Nov. 29. The win moves Eastern to 5-1 on the season and drops Missouri State to 3-2.
The slow start did not have a lasting effect on the Eagles, though, as they would rip off their own 17-7 run, capped by consecutive layups by junior guard Sydney Huntley (Cincinnati, Ohio-Purcell Marian), to take their first lead, 22-20.
Three Eagles scored double digits in the first half, as junior guard Cassie Schrock (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) went for 12, and Huntley and sophomore guard Tavelyn James (Detroit, Mich.-Mumford) each notched 11 points to help EMU hop out to a 48-43 halftime lead. Junior forward Kristin Thomas (Winter Park, Fla.-Edgewater-Hillsborough C.C.) also grabbed nine rebounds in the opening frame.
The Lady Bears stormed out the gates in the second half, evening the score at 48, but Eastern once again answered with a run of its own. This time it was a 17-4 run, which included three-point baskets by James (two), Schrock and Huntley, that catapulted EMU to a 65-52 advantage.
Missouri State closed the gap to 65-58 after consecutive three-pointers, but was never able to get closer than seven after that point.
The Lady Bears were led by a stellar all-around performance by sophomore guard Casey Garrison. Garrison finished the game with 18 points, nine assists, seven steals and five rebounds.
James ended the game with 31 points, her second 30-plus point effort of the season, including seven three-pointers for Eastern. Schrock would finish with 26 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals, and Huntley rounded out a long-bombing backcourt trio as she added 14. The three guards combined to hit 13-of-25 from beyond the arc and scored 71 of Eastern's 93.
Thomas finished the contest with 15 rebounds, one shy of tying the all-time Convocation Center record of 16 in a game. Freshman forward Chenise Miller (Oak Park, Mich.-West Bloomfield) pitched in with eight points, on 4-of-4 shooting, and five boards.
The Eagles will hit the road en route to South Bend, Ind. for a Dec. 2 contest against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Tipoff time is 7 p.m.
