Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, March 17
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Michigan
EMU Hosts Michigan Thursday in WNIT Opener
3/15/2011 3:52:25 PM | Women's Basketball
Game time is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
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Click Here for Watch the Game.
Click Here for Live Stats.
Click Here to Listen to the Game.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets.
Click Here for the Complete WNIT Bracket.
EAGLES EARN FOURTH POSTSEASON WNIT BID: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) for the second consecutive season Thursday, March 17, against the University of Michigan. Game time is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. at the Convocation Center. The winner of Thursday's game will advance to the second round to face the winner of the game between Richmond and UNC-Wilmington, which will also be played on Thursday. Second-round games are scheduled for March 19-22. All WNIT games will be played on campus sites.
Coming off a 51-46 setback to second-seeded Bowling Green State University in the championship game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, March 12, the Eagles enter the Michigan game with a mark of 22-12 (10-6 MAC). Meanwhile, Michigan sports a 17-12 (10-6 Big Ten) mark after bowing out in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament with a 55-47 loss to Illinois, March 4.
Tickets are now available by calling 734.487.2282 or visiting EMUTix.com. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for all youth 12 and younger and students (EMU students included).
THE ALL-TIME SERIES: The Eagles and Wolverines wake up the echoes of a non-conference rivalry that has been dormant since the 2004-05 campaign. The all-time series has been dominated by Michigan, winning 12 of the 18 meetings dating back to a 63-52 victory at Crisler Arena, Jan. 11, 1977. The last time the teams met was Dec. 8, 2004, in Ann Arbor, Mich. when the Green and White escaped with a 69-60 victory. In that contest, Ryan Coleman scored 19 points and Nikki Knapp chipped in 14 as the team equalled the best start in the program's history.
Thursday's contest will be the first time the teams have 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 3-4 all-time in home games versus Michigan, last posting a 56-49 home victory Dec. 18, 1979.
EMU IN THE WNIT: EMU participated in the Preseason WNIT in 2000-01 and made its first appearance in the 2005 Postseason WNIT versus the University of Kentucky. After trailing by as many as five points in the first half, the Wildcats captured a hard-fought 79-68 decision at Memorial Hall in Lexington, Ky., March 19, 2005.
EMU was then paired with Indiana State University in the 2006 Postseason WNIT, with the Sycamores recording a 79-59 victory in Terre Haute, Ind., March 16, 2006. Academic All-American Sarah VanMetre poured in 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting in a losing effort for EMU.
After a three-year absence from the post-season the Eagles returned to the WNIT in 2010 with a trip to Purdue University. The Eagles saw a first half lead evaporate as the Boilermarkers used clutch free throw shooting to seal the 56-50 victory at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind., March 17, 2010.
FIRST HOME POST-SEASON TILT: For the first time the Eagles will host a game in the Post-season WNIT Thursday, March 17, when the University of Michigan makes the short commute for a renewal of the “Battle of Washtenaw County.”
Mid-American Conference teams are no strangers to home WNIT tilts, with Ball State University, Bowling Green State, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan having all hosted games since the 1998 campaign. MAC schools have posted a 4-7 record in those contests.
MAC IN THE WNIT: Eastern is one of four Mid-American Conference schools participating in the 2011 Postseason WNIT. Including this season, 26 MAC teams have been selected to compete in the Postseason WNIT posting a 16-24 record since 1989. Toledo leads the way, making seven appearances and finishing as high as second in the 1990 edition of the WNIT. In 2004, Western Michigan advanced to the quarterfinal game before falling to Richmond, 82-66.
EASTERN VERSUS 2011 POSTSEASON TEAMS: When examining the brackets for the 2011 NCAA, WNIT and WBI tournaments, EMU recognizes nine teams that it met during the 2010-11 regular season. Out of the NCAA bracket, the Eagles played Bowling Green, Green Bay, Ohio State and Temple. Out of the WNIT, Eastern played Central Michigan, Kent State, Missouri State and Toledo, while also meeting Buffalo which is participating in the WBI. The Eagles' recorded a 4-10 record against those teams.
BEST TEAM IN WASHTENAW COUNTY?: The combined efforts between Suzy Merchant and AnnMarie Gilbert 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 152 games, posted five 20+ victory season and made five postseason tournament appearances. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have won 102 contests and made three postseason tournament appearances during the same stretch of time.
STRONG UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS: Despite having not played on the hardwood in 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.
LEADING THE PACK: The Eagles have been one the most dominant teams statistically in the Mid-American Conference this season, leading the league in three categories and ranking in the top five in nine others. The Green and White are tops in the MAC in: field goal percentage defense (36.3%), steals (11.71) and offensive rebounds (16.76).
SHORT ROAD TRIP (ACCORDING TO GOOGLE MAPS): The Wolverines will make the shortest road trip of the season Thursday, March 17, when they travel seven miles west to face Eastern Michigan University. The Convocation Center and Crisler Arena are just seven miles apart and are both located in Washtenaw County.
THE LAST MEETING WITH MICHIGAN: Ryan Coleman scored 19 points and Nikki Knapp chipped in 14 as the EMU women's basketball team defeated Michigan, 69-60, in the “Battle of Washtenaw County,” Dec. 8, 2004. The victory was the Eagles' first over the Wolverines since Dec. 18, 1979 at Bowen Field House, breaking a streak of 10 consecutive defeats to the Maize and Blue.
The Eagles jumped out to the early 4-0 lead on back-to-back buckets by Coleman and Erika Ford, and used a zone defense to keep Michigan stagnant on the offensive end. EMU came out even more aggressive after the break, going on an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to claim a commanding 50-35 lead. Michigan's Krista Clement broke the streak with a three pointer to pull the Wolverines within 50-38, but Coleman hit back-to-back three pointers to push the lead back to 17, 56-39. Michigan kept fighting, cutting the lead to 61-51 with 1:45 left, but a Ford free throw and a layup by Ryann Kilgore with 1:20 left gave the Eagles the 64-51 lead, and all but sealed the win for EMU, forcing the Wolverines into their last time out with 1:14 remaining. The Eagles would make timely free throws down the stretch, and coasted to the final 69-60 win.
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY: Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally, March17, but it will have a special meaning for the EMU women's basketball team as they host Michigan in the first round of the WNIT. It marks the second straight season the Eagles have played on the date, with the squad dropping a 56-50 decision to Purdue University last season in West Lafayette, Ind.
According to Wikipedia, the color originally associated with Saint Patrick was blue but over the years the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day has grown. EMU fans hope the tradition of green brings good luck, as it looks to oust the Maize and Blue from the WNIT, after they won four WNIT contests in the 2010 tournament.
UNCHARTED TERRITORY: Prior to this season, the Eagles have never played more than 31 games in a single season. Thursday's game versus Michigan will mark the 35th time that EMU has taken to the hardwood. Additionally, with a victory the Green and White would equal the school record of 23 victories set during the 2004-05 campaign.
EMU BECOMES THE FIRST FIVE SEED TO PLAY IN MAC FINALS: In the 30 years of the tournament, the top seed has won the title 20 times. With its 61-55 victory over Toledo, March 11, EMU became the first No. 5 seed to ever play in the championship game. Miami, a No. 4 seed in 1995, Western Michigan (No. 4 in 2003) and Bowling Green (No. 4 in 2004) were previously the highest seeds to ever advance to the title game. Western Michigan, a No. 4 seed in 2003, is the highest seed to ever win the title.
SCHROCK BECOMES EMU SINGLE-SEASON ASSISTS LEADER: With her three assists versus Toledo, March 11, Cassie Schrock became the EMU single-season assist leader with 189 dimes, surpassing Erika Ford's standard of 186 set in 2004-05.
HITTING FROM LONG RANGE: For the first time in 277 games, Eastern Michigan did not connect on a three-point field goal in its the MAC semi-final victory over Toledo, March 11. The last time the Eagles did not make one was Jan. 26, 2002, in a 52-43 road victory over Central Michigan.
SCHROCK SETS RECORD FOR GAMES PLAYED: Senior Cassie Schrock has played in 123 games during her four-year career, surpassing the trio of Nikki Knapp (2002-06), Melis Ulker (2002-06) and Sarah VanMetre (2003-07) for the all-time record for the most games played in an EMU uniform. Knapp, Ulker and VanMetre all played in 120 contests for then-Head Coach Suzy Merchant.
Click Here for Watch the Game.
Click Here for Live Stats.
Click Here to Listen to the Game.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets.
Click Here for the Complete WNIT Bracket.
EAGLES EARN FOURTH POSTSEASON WNIT BID: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) for the second consecutive season Thursday, March 17, against the University of Michigan. Game time is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. at the Convocation Center. The winner of Thursday's game will advance to the second round to face the winner of the game between Richmond and UNC-Wilmington, which will also be played on Thursday. Second-round games are scheduled for March 19-22. All WNIT games will be played on campus sites.
Coming off a 51-46 setback to second-seeded Bowling Green State University in the championship game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, March 12, the Eagles enter the Michigan game with a mark of 22-12 (10-6 MAC). Meanwhile, Michigan sports a 17-12 (10-6 Big Ten) mark after bowing out in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament with a 55-47 loss to Illinois, March 4.
Tickets are now available by calling 734.487.2282 or visiting EMUTix.com. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for all youth 12 and younger and students (EMU students included).
THE ALL-TIME SERIES: The Eagles and Wolverines wake up the echoes of a non-conference rivalry that has been dormant since the 2004-05 campaign. The all-time series has been dominated by Michigan, winning 12 of the 18 meetings dating back to a 63-52 victory at Crisler Arena, Jan. 11, 1977. The last time the teams met was Dec. 8, 2004, in Ann Arbor, Mich. when the Green and White escaped with a 69-60 victory. In that contest, Ryan Coleman scored 19 points and Nikki Knapp chipped in 14 as the team equalled the best start in the program's history.
Thursday's contest will be the first time the teams have 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 3-4 all-time in home games versus Michigan, last posting a 56-49 home victory Dec. 18, 1979.
EMU IN THE WNIT: EMU participated in the Preseason WNIT in 2000-01 and made its first appearance in the 2005 Postseason WNIT versus the University of Kentucky. After trailing by as many as five points in the first half, the Wildcats captured a hard-fought 79-68 decision at Memorial Hall in Lexington, Ky., March 19, 2005.
EMU was then paired with Indiana State University in the 2006 Postseason WNIT, with the Sycamores recording a 79-59 victory in Terre Haute, Ind., March 16, 2006. Academic All-American Sarah VanMetre poured in 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting in a losing effort for EMU.
After a three-year absence from the post-season the Eagles returned to the WNIT in 2010 with a trip to Purdue University. The Eagles saw a first half lead evaporate as the Boilermarkers used clutch free throw shooting to seal the 56-50 victory at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind., March 17, 2010.
FIRST HOME POST-SEASON TILT: For the first time the Eagles will host a game in the Post-season WNIT Thursday, March 17, when the University of Michigan makes the short commute for a renewal of the “Battle of Washtenaw County.”
Mid-American Conference teams are no strangers to home WNIT tilts, with Ball State University, Bowling Green State, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan having all hosted games since the 1998 campaign. MAC schools have posted a 4-7 record in those contests.
MAC IN THE WNIT: Eastern is one of four Mid-American Conference schools participating in the 2011 Postseason WNIT. Including this season, 26 MAC teams have been selected to compete in the Postseason WNIT posting a 16-24 record since 1989. Toledo leads the way, making seven appearances and finishing as high as second in the 1990 edition of the WNIT. In 2004, Western Michigan advanced to the quarterfinal game before falling to Richmond, 82-66.
EASTERN VERSUS 2011 POSTSEASON TEAMS: When examining the brackets for the 2011 NCAA, WNIT and WBI tournaments, EMU recognizes nine teams that it met during the 2010-11 regular season. Out of the NCAA bracket, the Eagles played Bowling Green, Green Bay, Ohio State and Temple. Out of the WNIT, Eastern played Central Michigan, Kent State, Missouri State and Toledo, while also meeting Buffalo which is participating in the WBI. The Eagles' recorded a 4-10 record against those teams.
BEST TEAM IN WASHTENAW COUNTY?: The combined efforts between Suzy Merchant and AnnMarie Gilbert 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 152 games, posted five 20+ victory season and made five postseason tournament appearances. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have won 102 contests and made three postseason tournament appearances during the same stretch of time.
STRONG UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS: Despite having not played on the hardwood in 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.
LEADING THE PACK: The Eagles have been one the most dominant teams statistically in the Mid-American Conference this season, leading the league in three categories and ranking in the top five in nine others. The Green and White are tops in the MAC in: field goal percentage defense (36.3%), steals (11.71) and offensive rebounds (16.76).
SHORT ROAD TRIP (ACCORDING TO GOOGLE MAPS): The Wolverines will make the shortest road trip of the season Thursday, March 17, when they travel seven miles west to face Eastern Michigan University. The Convocation Center and Crisler Arena are just seven miles apart and are both located in Washtenaw County.
THE LAST MEETING WITH MICHIGAN: Ryan Coleman scored 19 points and Nikki Knapp chipped in 14 as the EMU women's basketball team defeated Michigan, 69-60, in the “Battle of Washtenaw County,” Dec. 8, 2004. The victory was the Eagles' first over the Wolverines since Dec. 18, 1979 at Bowen Field House, breaking a streak of 10 consecutive defeats to the Maize and Blue.
The Eagles jumped out to the early 4-0 lead on back-to-back buckets by Coleman and Erika Ford, and used a zone defense to keep Michigan stagnant on the offensive end. EMU came out even more aggressive after the break, going on an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to claim a commanding 50-35 lead. Michigan's Krista Clement broke the streak with a three pointer to pull the Wolverines within 50-38, but Coleman hit back-to-back three pointers to push the lead back to 17, 56-39. Michigan kept fighting, cutting the lead to 61-51 with 1:45 left, but a Ford free throw and a layup by Ryann Kilgore with 1:20 left gave the Eagles the 64-51 lead, and all but sealed the win for EMU, forcing the Wolverines into their last time out with 1:14 remaining. The Eagles would make timely free throws down the stretch, and coasted to the final 69-60 win.
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY: Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally, March17, but it will have a special meaning for the EMU women's basketball team as they host Michigan in the first round of the WNIT. It marks the second straight season the Eagles have played on the date, with the squad dropping a 56-50 decision to Purdue University last season in West Lafayette, Ind.
According to Wikipedia, the color originally associated with Saint Patrick was blue but over the years the color green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day has grown. EMU fans hope the tradition of green brings good luck, as it looks to oust the Maize and Blue from the WNIT, after they won four WNIT contests in the 2010 tournament.
UNCHARTED TERRITORY: Prior to this season, the Eagles have never played more than 31 games in a single season. Thursday's game versus Michigan will mark the 35th time that EMU has taken to the hardwood. Additionally, with a victory the Green and White would equal the school record of 23 victories set during the 2004-05 campaign.
EMU BECOMES THE FIRST FIVE SEED TO PLAY IN MAC FINALS: In the 30 years of the tournament, the top seed has won the title 20 times. With its 61-55 victory over Toledo, March 11, EMU became the first No. 5 seed to ever play in the championship game. Miami, a No. 4 seed in 1995, Western Michigan (No. 4 in 2003) and Bowling Green (No. 4 in 2004) were previously the highest seeds to ever advance to the title game. Western Michigan, a No. 4 seed in 2003, is the highest seed to ever win the title.
SCHROCK BECOMES EMU SINGLE-SEASON ASSISTS LEADER: With her three assists versus Toledo, March 11, Cassie Schrock became the EMU single-season assist leader with 189 dimes, surpassing Erika Ford's standard of 186 set in 2004-05.
HITTING FROM LONG RANGE: For the first time in 277 games, Eastern Michigan did not connect on a three-point field goal in its the MAC semi-final victory over Toledo, March 11. The last time the Eagles did not make one was Jan. 26, 2002, in a 52-43 road victory over Central Michigan.
SCHROCK SETS RECORD FOR GAMES PLAYED: Senior Cassie Schrock has played in 123 games during her four-year career, surpassing the trio of Nikki Knapp (2002-06), Melis Ulker (2002-06) and Sarah VanMetre (2003-07) for the all-time record for the most games played in an EMU uniform. Knapp, Ulker and VanMetre all played in 120 contests for then-Head Coach Suzy Merchant.
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