Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Illinois - Chicago
Thursday Matinee at the Convocation Center
12/22/2010 3:25:31 PM | Women's Basketball
EMU returns to action Thursday, Dec. 23, against Illinois-Chicago at 1 p.m.
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THURSDAY MATINEE AT THE CONVOCATION CENTER: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to action Thursday, Dec. 23, when it hosts the University of Illinois-Chicago at 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
The Eagles and Flames will both be in a festive holiday mood, with each side recording a homecourt upset Tuesday, Dec. 21. EMU enters the game with a 7-5 record after dispatching Temple University, 65-56, in Ypsilanti, while UIC is 5-5 on the season following a 74-65 victory over Bradley University back in Chicago.
A BULLSEYE ON UIC: The Eagles and Flames are squaring off for the 10th time with Eastern Michigan holding a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series. The meeting will be the just the second in the past decade, and the first in Ypsilanti since Eastern posted a 63-54 victory at the Convocation Center, Dec. 30, 1999. EMU won the first four meetings to open the series before UIC notched back-to-back wins in 1991 and 1992.
In the 2009 season opener, the Eagles went on the road and claimed a 61-49 victory over the Flames at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill., Nov. 13. Chenise Miller finished with a team best 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Tavelyn James notched nine points and three steals.
EMU VERSUS THE HORIZON LEAGUE: Eastern is 46-33 all-time versus the Indianapolis, Ind. based conference, having played against all 10 member institutions. EMU has faced the University of Detroit Mercy more times than any other league member, with the Titans holding a 12-8 lead in the series.
EAGLE NATION SIX-PACK: Thursday's contest continues a historic homestand at the Convocation Center for the Eagles. Beginning Dec. 6, EMU remains in Ypsilanti for six games over the span of 23 days. The homestand is the second-longest in the program's 35-year history, only bettered by a seven-game streak during the 1979-80 campaign. The Green and White will take to the road Jan. 5, 2011, to open Mid-American Conference play before returning to the friendly confines of the Convo for three more contests against league competition.
THIS DATE IN EMU HISTORY: The game on Dec. 23 will mark the first time the Eagles will have played on that date.
EMU STEPPING UP FOR THE MAC: Eastern Michigan helped make a huge statement for itself and the Mid-American Conference with a 65-56 victory over Temple, Dec. 21, at the Convocation Center. The Eagles' win snapped a 12-game losing skid for the league against the Owls dating back to the 2007-08 campaign.
As part of Temple's affiliate membership agreement to join the league in football, the basketball team was asked to play each of the MAC's 12 members in a home-and-home contest. TU has recorded a 19-3 record in those contests, only dropping games at Bowling Green (67-86; Nov. 26, 2006), at Miami (53-70; Jan. 2, 2008) and at EMU.
SCHROCK REBOUNDING WITH EASE: Senior Cassie Schrock notched a career-high 16 rebounds in the Eagles' 65-56 victory over Temple, Dec. 21. Schrock's rebounding effort was tied for the second most in Convocation Center history, and also tied for the 15th best single-game rebounding total in school history.
SCHROCK IN RARE AIR: Senior Cassie Schrock is looking to join some rarefied company, as she needs just one steal to become the third player in Eastern Michigan University women's basketball history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 175 steals in their career. The Wadsworth, Ohio native currently has 1,093 points, 591 rebounds, 382 assists and 174 steals in her career.
MAGIC NUMBERS: In Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's tenure, when two particular numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of an EMU win. When the Eagles have scored at least 70 points, their record is 29-10, including winning their last six games, while when they hold opponents under 70 points, their record is 47-17.
Under Gilbert's leadership, Eastern Michigan is 44-8 when leading at the half and 46-2 when holding a lead with five minutes to play in the game.
STOP, THIEF!: In the 76-40 victory over Canisius, Dec. 11, EMU racked up 28 steals, which is tied for the second-best effort in team history. Three seasons ago versus NCCAA member Temple Baptist (11-11-07), the Eagles stole the rock a record 29 times.
The Eagles have recorded six double-figure steals contests this season.
TURNING OVER THE GRIFFS: EMU forced Canisius into 37 turnovers, the most by an opponent this season, and the most since the Eagles forced Rochester into 40 miscues, Dec. 9, 2009. The 37 turnovers are tied for the third most in the Convocation Center's 12-year history, trailing the dubious standard of 41 by Temple Baptist College, Nov. 11, 2007.
STRUGGLING FROM DEEP: The Eagles have been struggling from three-point range this season, shooting just 26.0 percent from behind the arc, which ranks ninth in the Mid-American Conference. EMU is averaging 4.9 treys per game, which ranks eighth in the league.
