EMU Puts On Offensive Show in 77-64 Win Over Michigan

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — It was a rematch of a 2011 WNIT postseason tournament game and the Eagles proved that the March 17 victory last year was no fluke as they posted a convincing 77-64 win over the University of Michigan here Sunday, Dec. 11, afternoon in a non-conference battle for Washtenaw County in the Convocation Center.

Eastern and Michigan last met, March 17, 2011, right here in the Convocation Center and the Eagles posted a 67-59 win to advance in the postseason WNIT. In a pre-game ceremony this afternoon, the Eagles' 2011 WNIT Sweet 16 banner was raised in the rafters.

The pre-game banner raising was not the only highlight of the day, however, as the Eagles not only recorded the win, but senior guard Tavelyn James (Detroit, Mich.-Mumford), broke the EMU women's career scoring record with a 38-point effort to give her 1,935 points. James passed former EMU guard Laurie Byrd (1978-82) who scored 1,899 in her illustrious Hall of Fame career.

The win boosted EMU to 6-3 on the season and broke a two-game losing streak. Michigan falls to 9-2 on the year.

Backing up James' 38 points was Olivia Fouty (Toledo, Ohio-Sylvania Northview) who turned in a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Michigan was led by Rachel Sheffer with 16, Courtney Boylan and Kate Thompson with 13 each while Jenny Ryan added 12.

The Eagles finished the game shooting 45.5 percent, making 25-of-55 field-goal attempts and also connected on 21-of-24 free throws for 87.5 percent. The Eagles held a 37-26 advantage on the boards. Michigan would shoot 45.6 percent from the field, making 26-of-57 attempts.

After trading baskets with the visitors through the first six minutes, the Eagles opened up the offense to build a 14-point lead, 27-13, at the 10:20 mark with James doing most of the damage with 19 of her 21 first-half points coming in the early going.

The Wolverines managed to cut the deficit to five, 33-28, with just 52 seconds left in the first half but Fouty hit a layup with one second left to give the Eagles a 35-28 lead heading into halftime intermission.

The Eagles shot 43.3 percent in the first half, making 13-of-30 shots from the field while Michigan was hitting at a 48.0 percent clip, making 12-of-25. EMU held a 17-13 advantage on the boards in the first 20 minutes.

The Eagles came out of halftime on a mission, rolling the lead back up to 13, 45-32, on a layup by Paige Redditt (Kansas City, Mo.-Belton) at the 17:55 mark.

After trailing by double digits through the next 12 minutes, Michigan began a comeback, pulling within five, 59-54, with 3:48 left on the clock.

James hit a long three at the 2:44 mark to give the Eagles a little breathing room at 64-56 and strong shooting from the free throw line late in the game helped EMU turn in the 13-point victory.

Eastern will swing right back into action Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Detroit in a 7 p.m. game.

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Team Stats

Tavelyn James

Olivia Fouty

Natachia Watkins

Paige Redditt

Eastern Michigan Athletics