Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, December 11
Convocation Center
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Michigan
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Battle of Washtenaw County Renewed Sunday at 2 p.m.
12/9/2011 11:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 » 2:06 p.m. » Convocation Center (8,784) » Ypsilanti, Mich.
Complete Release (PDF).
Live Video.
Live Stats.
Live Audio.
BATTLE OF WASHTENAW COUNTY RENEWED: With final exams on the horizon, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the court Sunday, Dec. 11, for a non-conference test against the University of Michigan at the Convocation Center. Game time is scheduled for 2:06 p.m.
The Eagles are 5-3 (0-0 MAC) on the season after a 70-68 overtime setback to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Dec. 9. Meanwhile, the Wolverines are 9-1 (0-0 Big Ten) on the year after a 61-51 victory over the University of Detroit Mercy, Dec. 8, at Calihan Hall in Detroit, Mich.
JAMES' MARCH TOWARDS HISTORY NEARLY COMPLETE: Tavelyn James needs just three points to pass Laurie Byrd for the EMU all-time career scoring record. James has 1,897 points, while Byrd notched 1,899 points from 1978-82.
Currently ranked 14th all-time in points in Mid-American Conference history, James has reached double figures in points on 87 occasions in her career. The Detroit, Mich. native has scored 20 or more in 38 of those contests. Her career average of 18.1 points per game is tied for fourth-best in MAC annals, while she ranks in the top 20 in the conference record book in three-pointers attempted (771), field goals attempted (1,712), three-pointers made (235) and field goals made (670).
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SERIES WITH MICHIGAN: The series, which was dormant for five seasons, returned last March when the two teams were pitted against each other in the opening round of the 2011 Women's Postseason WNIT. The Eagles came up with an outstanding effort on both ends of the court to post a 67-59 win over the Wolverines, March 17, inside the Convocation Center. EMU had three players in double figures, led by Tavelyn James with 21 while Sydney Huntley added 17 and Paige Redditt chipped in 10. Cassie Schrock scored just six points but had a career-best 13 assists.
The WNIT meeting marked the first time the teams had played in Ypsilanti since Dec. 11, 1996, when the Maize and Blue cruised to a 100-75 victory at venerable Bowen Field House. EMU is 4-4 all-time in home games versus Michigan, but the Wolverines lead the all-time series, 12-7.
BACK-TO-BACK OVERTIME GAMES A RARITY: For the first time in 31 years EMU played two overtime games in a row, but unlike the 1980 games, the Eagles dropped two both. The Eagles fell at Michigan State, 60-59, Dec. 3, and then dropped a 70-68 decision to a UMKC, Dec. 9, in the Convocation Center.
In 1980 the Eagles defeated both Pittsburgh and Northern Michigan in back-to-back overtime games.
GILBERT VERSUS THE BIG TEN: For the fifth time since Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's arrival, the Eagles will take on a team from the Big Ten Conference. EMU is 11-37 all-time versus the Park Ridge, Ill. based conference, but the Green and White are 5-8 against Big Ten foes since the 2000-01 campaign. During that span, Eastern Michigan has posted wins over Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Northwestern, with losses coming against Purdue, Illinois, Indiana, MSU and OSU.
STRONG UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS: Despite having not played often on the hardwood in recent years, the ties run deep between the Eastern Michigan and Michigan women's basketball programs. U-M Assistant Coach Tianna Kirkland spent the 2006-07 season as an assistant coach, while Michigan's athletic trainer, Melissa Pohorence, spent four seasons in Ypsilanti.
Away from the bench, U-M's Athletic Media Relations Office has a heavy EMU flavor to it with Associate Director Tom Wywrot and Communications Coordinator Sarah VanMetre both having been standout student-athletes for the Green and White.
NCAA RANKINGS: The latest NCAA Statistical Rankings came out on Dec. 4 and the Eagles are 14th in the nation (out of 333 eligible teams) in steals per game at 14.3. They are 21st in turnover margin at +7.29, 36th in rebounding margin (+7.0) and 49th in scoring margin (+14.1) . Individually, Tavelyn James is fourth in the nation in scoring with an average of 24.1 points per game. Desyree Thomas is 19th in the nation with an average of 3.7 steals per game, while Paige Redditt is 24th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 10.4 per game.
BEST TEAM IN WASHTENAW COUNTY?: The combined efforts between AnnMarie Gilbert and Suzy Merchant have quietly built Eastern Michigan into one of the most dominant teams in the state of Michigan. Since the 2003-04 campaign, the Eagles have won 158 games, posted five 20+ victory seasons and made five postseason tournament appearances.
AGAINST IN-STATE SCHOOLS: Eastern Michigan has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 10 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Eagles are 38-13 (.745) against in-state rivals, including a 16-10 mark under Coach Gilbert.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: Senior Paige Redditt has established herself as a formidable rebounder. Redditt has at least six caroms in six of her eight games this season, and she already has three double-figure rebounding performances (18 at Loyola, 14 at Green Bay, 13 at Michigan State). Forty-five of her 78 total rebounds have come on the offensive glass, including a season-high 12 against the Phoenix.
INTERESTING STATS ABOUT EMU: In its five victories this season, EMU is averaging 75.0 points while the opposition is posting just 48.8 points. In those games, opponents are shooting 36.8 percent from the field compared to 43.8 percent for the Eagles. In defeats, the Eagles are only scoring 60.0 points, while giving up 71.3. Another factor in the Eagles' success has been the ability to control the glass. EMU is grabbing 42.4 rebounds to just 30.8for the opponents in the wins, while in setbacks EMU is being out-rebounded by nearly a carom (40.7 to 41.7).
A LOOK AHEAD TO DETROIT: Final exams will be complete and the holiday season in full swing when the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the court Tuesday, Dec. 20, for a non-conference road game at the University of Detroit Mercy. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. at the Calihan Hall in Detroit.
The Eagles and Titans face off for the 21st time in the program's history with Detroit holding a 12-8 advantage in the all-time series. Tuesday's meeting will mark the sixth consecutive season in which the schools have squared off on the hardwood. UDM opened the series with nine consecutive victories before EMU rolled off five wins between 1989 and 1999.
The Titans shocked the Eagles with a 62-60 win, Dec. 8, 2010, in a non-conference game in the Convocation Center. The Eagles held a slim 29-28 halftime lead, and out-scored the visitors, 28-17,in the first 14 minutes of the second half before Detroit went on a 17-3 run in the final 5:45, including hitting four three pointers, to post the two-point victory. Detroit scored the final six points of the game and a shot at the buzzer by EMU's Tavelyn James fell short.
TIED TO THE TITANS: There will be plenty of memories shared Tuesday night, Dec. 20, from the Eastern Michigan bench when they travel to Detroit.
EMU Associate Head Coach LaTonya Tate was a member of the Detroit Mercy women's basketball staff for two separate stints, from 1995-97 and from 2004-07. A native of Detroit, Tate graduated from Detroit Cass Technical High School in 1988 after earning All-State honors in basketball. She was an All-State Dream Team selection, an honorable mention All-American and the runner-up for Miss Basketball in the state of Michigan in 1987.
Assistant Coach Yvette Harris graduated with a degree in business administration and finance in 1982 from the University of Detroit Mercy. Harris played three seasons of basketball for the Titans, after beginning her career at the University of Michigan.
MAGIC NUMBERS: In Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's tenure, when two particular numbers on the scoreboard are achieved it typically has been a sign of an EMU win. When the Eagles have scored at least 70 points, their record is 41-10, including winning their last 19 games, while when they hold opponents under 70 points, their record is 67-22.
Under Gilbert's leadership, Eastern Michigan is 62-13 when leading at the half and 66-4 when holding a lead with five minutes to play in the game.
GET THAT SHOT OUTTA HERE: Senior forward Paige Redditt recorded a two blocked shots Friday, Dec. 9, in the loss to UMKC. She upped her career total to 97 and currently stands in third place on the EMU all-time list. Redditt needs six more rejections to pass Stephanie Smiley for second all time. Smiley tallied 103 rejections for Eastern from 1998-2002.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: Eastern Michigan is 1-1 at the Convocation Center this season. The Eagles have won 26 of the last 35 home games dating back to the 2008-09 campaign. Eastern Michigan has racked up a solid home-court advantage inside the friendly confines of the Convocation Center since the doors opened during the 1998-99 campaign. The Green and White has won 68.9 percent of the contests played in the building, racking up a 120-54 all-time mark.
A LOOK INSIDE THE SPECIALTY STATS: The Eagles are averaging 38.0 points per game in the paint, 12.6 points off the bench, 25.4 points per game off turnovers, 13.5 second-chance points and 15.1 fast break points per game.
Live Video.
Live Stats.
Live Audio.
BATTLE OF WASHTENAW COUNTY RENEWED: With final exams on the horizon, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the court Sunday, Dec. 11, for a non-conference test against the University of Michigan at the Convocation Center. Game time is scheduled for 2:06 p.m.
The Eagles are 5-3 (0-0 MAC) on the season after a 70-68 overtime setback to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Dec. 9. Meanwhile, the Wolverines are 9-1 (0-0 Big Ten) on the year after a 61-51 victory over the University of Detroit Mercy, Dec. 8, at Calihan Hall in Detroit, Mich.
JAMES' MARCH TOWARDS HISTORY NEARLY COMPLETE: Tavelyn James needs just three points to pass Laurie Byrd for the EMU all-time career scoring record. James has 1,897 points, while Byrd notched 1,899 points from 1978-82.
Currently ranked 14th all-time in points in Mid-American Conference history, James has reached double figures in points on 87 occasions in her career. The Detroit, Mich. native has scored 20 or more in 38 of those contests. Her career average of 18.1 points per game is tied for fourth-best in MAC annals, while she ranks in the top 20 in the conference record book in three-pointers attempted (771), field goals attempted (1,712), three-pointers made (235) and field goals made (670).
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SERIES WITH MICHIGAN: The series, which was dormant for five seasons, returned last March when the two teams were pitted against each other in the opening round of the 2011 Women's Postseason WNIT. The Eagles came up with an outstanding effort on both ends of the court to post a 67-59 win over the Wolverines, March 17, inside the Convocation Center. EMU had three players in double figures, led by Tavelyn James with 21 while Sydney Huntley added 17 and Paige Redditt chipped in 10. Cassie Schrock scored just six points but had a career-best 13 assists.
The WNIT meeting marked the first time the teams had played in Ypsilanti since Dec. 11, 1996, when the Maize and Blue cruised to a 100-75 victory at venerable Bowen Field House. EMU is 4-4 all-time in home games versus Michigan, but the Wolverines lead the all-time series, 12-7.
BACK-TO-BACK OVERTIME GAMES A RARITY: For the first time in 31 years EMU played two overtime games in a row, but unlike the 1980 games, the Eagles dropped two both. The Eagles fell at Michigan State, 60-59, Dec. 3, and then dropped a 70-68 decision to a UMKC, Dec. 9, in the Convocation Center.
In 1980 the Eagles defeated both Pittsburgh and Northern Michigan in back-to-back overtime games.
GILBERT VERSUS THE BIG TEN: For the fifth time since Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's arrival, the Eagles will take on a team from the Big Ten Conference. EMU is 11-37 all-time versus the Park Ridge, Ill. based conference, but the Green and White are 5-8 against Big Ten foes since the 2000-01 campaign. During that span, Eastern Michigan has posted wins over Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Northwestern, with losses coming against Purdue, Illinois, Indiana, MSU and OSU.
STRONG UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS: Despite having not played often on the hardwood in recent years, the ties run deep between the Eastern Michigan and Michigan women's basketball programs. U-M Assistant Coach Tianna Kirkland spent the 2006-07 season as an assistant coach, while Michigan's athletic trainer, Melissa Pohorence, spent four seasons in Ypsilanti.
Away from the bench, U-M's Athletic Media Relations Office has a heavy EMU flavor to it with Associate Director Tom Wywrot and Communications Coordinator Sarah VanMetre both having been standout student-athletes for the Green and White.
NCAA RANKINGS: The latest NCAA Statistical Rankings came out on Dec. 4 and the Eagles are 14th in the nation (out of 333 eligible teams) in steals per game at 14.3. They are 21st in turnover margin at +7.29, 36th in rebounding margin (+7.0) and 49th in scoring margin (+14.1) . Individually, Tavelyn James is fourth in the nation in scoring with an average of 24.1 points per game. Desyree Thomas is 19th in the nation with an average of 3.7 steals per game, while Paige Redditt is 24th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 10.4 per game.
BEST TEAM IN WASHTENAW COUNTY?: The combined efforts between AnnMarie Gilbert and Suzy Merchant have quietly built Eastern Michigan into one of the most dominant teams in the state of Michigan. Since the 2003-04 campaign, the Eagles have won 158 games, posted five 20+ victory seasons and made five postseason tournament appearances.
AGAINST IN-STATE SCHOOLS: Eastern Michigan has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 10 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Eagles are 38-13 (.745) against in-state rivals, including a 16-10 mark under Coach Gilbert.
CRASHING THE BOARDS: Senior Paige Redditt has established herself as a formidable rebounder. Redditt has at least six caroms in six of her eight games this season, and she already has three double-figure rebounding performances (18 at Loyola, 14 at Green Bay, 13 at Michigan State). Forty-five of her 78 total rebounds have come on the offensive glass, including a season-high 12 against the Phoenix.
INTERESTING STATS ABOUT EMU: In its five victories this season, EMU is averaging 75.0 points while the opposition is posting just 48.8 points. In those games, opponents are shooting 36.8 percent from the field compared to 43.8 percent for the Eagles. In defeats, the Eagles are only scoring 60.0 points, while giving up 71.3. Another factor in the Eagles' success has been the ability to control the glass. EMU is grabbing 42.4 rebounds to just 30.8for the opponents in the wins, while in setbacks EMU is being out-rebounded by nearly a carom (40.7 to 41.7).
A LOOK AHEAD TO DETROIT: Final exams will be complete and the holiday season in full swing when the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the court Tuesday, Dec. 20, for a non-conference road game at the University of Detroit Mercy. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. at the Calihan Hall in Detroit.
The Eagles and Titans face off for the 21st time in the program's history with Detroit holding a 12-8 advantage in the all-time series. Tuesday's meeting will mark the sixth consecutive season in which the schools have squared off on the hardwood. UDM opened the series with nine consecutive victories before EMU rolled off five wins between 1989 and 1999.
The Titans shocked the Eagles with a 62-60 win, Dec. 8, 2010, in a non-conference game in the Convocation Center. The Eagles held a slim 29-28 halftime lead, and out-scored the visitors, 28-17,in the first 14 minutes of the second half before Detroit went on a 17-3 run in the final 5:45, including hitting four three pointers, to post the two-point victory. Detroit scored the final six points of the game and a shot at the buzzer by EMU's Tavelyn James fell short.
TIED TO THE TITANS: There will be plenty of memories shared Tuesday night, Dec. 20, from the Eastern Michigan bench when they travel to Detroit.
EMU Associate Head Coach LaTonya Tate was a member of the Detroit Mercy women's basketball staff for two separate stints, from 1995-97 and from 2004-07. A native of Detroit, Tate graduated from Detroit Cass Technical High School in 1988 after earning All-State honors in basketball. She was an All-State Dream Team selection, an honorable mention All-American and the runner-up for Miss Basketball in the state of Michigan in 1987.
Assistant Coach Yvette Harris graduated with a degree in business administration and finance in 1982 from the University of Detroit Mercy. Harris played three seasons of basketball for the Titans, after beginning her career at the University of Michigan.
MAGIC NUMBERS: In Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's tenure, when two particular numbers on the scoreboard are achieved it typically has been a sign of an EMU win. When the Eagles have scored at least 70 points, their record is 41-10, including winning their last 19 games, while when they hold opponents under 70 points, their record is 67-22.
Under Gilbert's leadership, Eastern Michigan is 62-13 when leading at the half and 66-4 when holding a lead with five minutes to play in the game.
GET THAT SHOT OUTTA HERE: Senior forward Paige Redditt recorded a two blocked shots Friday, Dec. 9, in the loss to UMKC. She upped her career total to 97 and currently stands in third place on the EMU all-time list. Redditt needs six more rejections to pass Stephanie Smiley for second all time. Smiley tallied 103 rejections for Eastern from 1998-2002.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: Eastern Michigan is 1-1 at the Convocation Center this season. The Eagles have won 26 of the last 35 home games dating back to the 2008-09 campaign. Eastern Michigan has racked up a solid home-court advantage inside the friendly confines of the Convocation Center since the doors opened during the 1998-99 campaign. The Green and White has won 68.9 percent of the contests played in the building, racking up a 120-54 all-time mark.
A LOOK INSIDE THE SPECIALTY STATS: The Eagles are averaging 38.0 points per game in the paint, 12.6 points off the bench, 25.4 points per game off turnovers, 13.5 second-chance points and 15.1 fast break points per game.
Game week work😤
Monday, October 27
2025-26 Field of 68 Women's Basketball Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Tuesday, October 21
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11