Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, January 19
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Central Michigan
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Contrasting Styles Collide Thursday to Close Out Divisional Play
1/16/2012 2:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 » 7:06 p.m. » Convocation Center (8,784) » Ypsilanti, Mich.
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CONTRASTING STYLES COLLIDE THURSDAY TO CLOSE OUT THE FIRST ROUND OF DIVISIONAL PLAY: Fresh off an 84-59 victory over Western Michigan University, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team remains at home Thursday, Jan. 19, for a Mid-American Conference West Division showdown against instate rival Central Michigan University. Game time is scheduled for 7:06 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
The Eagles enter the game with a mark of 11-6 (3-1 MAC) while the Chippewas are 11-7 (3-1 MAC). Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan are deadlocked atop the MAC West Division as the first round of MAC divisional play concludes Thursday.
OFFENSE VERSUS DEFENSE: How do you like your basketball? EMU and CMU could not be more different when it comes to their style of play. Eastern Michigan focuses on lock down defense, limiting the opposition to an average of 58.6 points per game while scoring 69.0 points. Meanwhile, Central Michigan likes to light up the nets to a tune of 73.3 points per game while giving up 69.6 points.
The Eagles rank 101st nationally in scoring defense and 74th in scoring offense, while the Chippewas are 30th in scoring offense and 292nd in scoring defense. CMU has reached 80-or-more points in a game six times with EMU passing the 80-point plateau just three times.
A SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHIPPEWAS: The Jan. 19 contest marks the 68th meeting between the Chippewas and Eagles, who first met during the 1976-77 season. CMU leads the overall series, 37-30, but EMU has won 17 of the last 22 meetings dating back to the 2000-01 campaign.
A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST MEETING WITH CENTRAL MICHIGAN: With EMU holding a slim one-point lead with 11 seconds to play, CMU's Kaihla Szunko drained a jumper in the lane to lift the Chippewas past the Eagles, 68-67, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, in a MAC West Division tilt at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Eastern Michigan had a chance for the win on the ensuing possession, but turned the ball over at midcourt to give CMU the ball back with less than a second remaining in regulation.
Foul trouble plagued the Eagles with both Cassie Schrock and Paige Redditt fouling out late in the contest. Tavelyn James led all scorers with 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting, as Sydney Huntley finished with 21 points. Four Chippewas reached double figures in points, led by Shonda Long's 23 points. Taylor Johnson had 16 points and eight caroms before fouling out, to go along with 10 from Szunko and Brandie Baker.
A FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS TO THE CONVO: Mahogany Green, an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan from 2003-06, makes her return to the sidelines at the Convocation Center Thursday, Jan. 19, when Central Michigan comes to town. Green joined the Chippewas as an assistant coach during the summer of 2008.
Green helped lead the Eagles to a 67-23 mark and three postseason berths – including the 2004 NCAA Tournament – during here time in Ypsi. Ryan Coleman was a two-time WBCA honorable mention All-American during that time, as well as a three-time first-team All-MAC choice and the 2004 MAC Tournament MVP.
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 40-14 (74.1) against in-state rivals, including an 18-11 mark under AnnMarie Gilbert.
JAMES IN SOME RAREFIED COMPANY: Senior Tavelyn James has joined a select group of the most prolific senior scorers in program history. In 17 games, the Detroit native has racked up 380 points. The mark ranks ninth best in the EMU senior laurels. The MAC record for most points by a senior is Western Michigan's Carrie Moore with 813 points in 2006-07.
James also holds the EMU freshman (426), sophomore (641) and junior (642) single-season scoring marks.
CROSS-DIVISIONAL PLAY RETURNS: The 2011-12 season is the seventh utilizing the current Mid-American Conference scheduling format for women's basketball. Each of the 12 schools opens league action with five divisional games, followed by six cross-divisional games and then five more divisional contests to close the regular season.
Eastern Michigan has posted a 30-23 record versus MAC East Division opponents since the 2004-05 campaign. Eastern was 5-2 last season after finishing 4-4 in 2009-10. The Green and White were 2-5 in cross-divisional games in 2008-09, 4-3 in 2007-08, 4-4 in 2006-07, 6-2 in 2005-06 and 5-3 in 2004-05.
NCAA RANKINGS: The latest NCAA Statistical Rankings came out on Jan. 16 and the Eagles are ninth in the nation (out of 336 eligible teams) in steals per game at 13.8. They are 12th in turnover margin at +6.24, 23rd in rebounding margin (+7.8) and 56th in scoring margin (+10.4) . Individually, Tavelyn James is eighth in the nation in scoring with an average of 22.4 points per game and 48th in free throw percentage per game at 84.9 Desyree Thomas is 12th in the nation with an average of 3.5 steals per game, while Olivia Fouty is 109th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 8.3 per game.
WELCOME TO THE BLOCK PARTY: Eastern Michigan's size proved a difference maker against Western Michigan in the 84-59 victory, Jan. 14. The Green and White racked up six blocks and 48 rebounds en route to the 25-point decision. Olivia Fouty rejected three Bronco shots, while Paige Redditt, Natachia Watkins and Desyree Thomas each added a block to their credit. The six teams blocks was the most by an EMU squad since a six-block performance at Green Bay, Nov. 18, 2011.
INTERESTING STATS ABOUT EMU: In its 11 victories this season, EMU is averaging 72.8 points while the opposition is posting just 53.0 points. In those games, opponents are shooting 39.7 percent from the field compared to 43.1 percent for the Eagles. In defeats, the Eagles are only scoring 62.0 points, while giving up 68.8. Another factor in the Eagles' success has been the ability to control the glass. EMU is grabbing 40.8 rebounds to just 30.5 for the opponents in the wins, while in setbacks EMU is out-rebounding by only three caroms (41.0 to 38.0).
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: Eastern Michigan is 5-1 at the Convocation Center this season. The Eagles have won 30 of the last 39 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 69.7 percent of the contests played in the building, piling up a 124-54 all-time mark.
STRUGGLING FROM DOWNTOWN: The Eagles' three-point field goal shooting ability has been the team's Achilles heel in 2011-12, as the Eagles are shooting just 24.6 percent from the outside. EMU has made two-or-fewer shots from beyond the long line on seven occasions this season and is a combined 4-3 in those contests. The distance change to 20-feet, 8-inches for this season may have contributed to EMU's struggles. At this point during the 2009-10 campaign, EMU was averaging 6.9 long-range shots per game compared to 3.0 this season.
FOUTY WITH AUTHORITY: Sophomore forward Olivia Fouty continues to impress with her ability to rebound the basketball. Against Wyoming, Jan. 2, Fouty surpassed her career high with 15 rebounds in the first half en route to finishing the contest with 18 caroms. The 18 rebounds are tied for seventh most in a single game and are the most by an EMU player since Paige Redditt hauled down 18 against Loyola, Nov. 20, 2011.
Fouty has at least six caroms in 14 of her 17 games this season, and she has five double-figure rebounding performances (18 vs. Wyoming, 12 vs. UMKC, 12 vs. Michigan, 11 vs. Western Michigan, 10 at Detroit).
APPROACHING 900: Senior Paige Redditt has scored 830 points in her career and ranks 29th all time. There are currently 20 players in the 900-point club for EMU women's basketball.
A LOOK INSIDE THE SPECIALTY STATS: The Eagles are averaging 39.5 points per game in the paint, 10.1 points off the bench, 25.4 points per game off turnovers, 14.6 second-chance points and 14.5 fast break points per game.
HEARTBREAK AT THE BUZZER: Dating back to an overtime loss at Michigan State on Dec. 3, each of the Eagles' last five losses have been by three points or fewer.
EMU VERSUS THE MAC: This is EMU's 31st season competing in the Mid-American Conference. The Eagles hold a 209-275 record against conference foes and have posted winning seasons in the MAC in 10 of the last 11 campaigns. EMU has had the most success against Northern Illinois, going 27-9, and the least versus Bowling Green, 14-44. Western Michigan has been the Green and White's most frequent opponent with 70 meetings while Buffalo holds the distinction of the fewest conference games against the Eagles with 18.
Watch the Game.
Listen to the Game.
Live Stats.
CONTRASTING STYLES COLLIDE THURSDAY TO CLOSE OUT THE FIRST ROUND OF DIVISIONAL PLAY: Fresh off an 84-59 victory over Western Michigan University, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team remains at home Thursday, Jan. 19, for a Mid-American Conference West Division showdown against instate rival Central Michigan University. Game time is scheduled for 7:06 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
The Eagles enter the game with a mark of 11-6 (3-1 MAC) while the Chippewas are 11-7 (3-1 MAC). Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan are deadlocked atop the MAC West Division as the first round of MAC divisional play concludes Thursday.
OFFENSE VERSUS DEFENSE: How do you like your basketball? EMU and CMU could not be more different when it comes to their style of play. Eastern Michigan focuses on lock down defense, limiting the opposition to an average of 58.6 points per game while scoring 69.0 points. Meanwhile, Central Michigan likes to light up the nets to a tune of 73.3 points per game while giving up 69.6 points.
The Eagles rank 101st nationally in scoring defense and 74th in scoring offense, while the Chippewas are 30th in scoring offense and 292nd in scoring defense. CMU has reached 80-or-more points in a game six times with EMU passing the 80-point plateau just three times.
A SPOTLIGHT ON THE CHIPPEWAS: The Jan. 19 contest marks the 68th meeting between the Chippewas and Eagles, who first met during the 1976-77 season. CMU leads the overall series, 37-30, but EMU has won 17 of the last 22 meetings dating back to the 2000-01 campaign.
A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST MEETING WITH CENTRAL MICHIGAN: With EMU holding a slim one-point lead with 11 seconds to play, CMU's Kaihla Szunko drained a jumper in the lane to lift the Chippewas past the Eagles, 68-67, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, in a MAC West Division tilt at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Eastern Michigan had a chance for the win on the ensuing possession, but turned the ball over at midcourt to give CMU the ball back with less than a second remaining in regulation.
Foul trouble plagued the Eagles with both Cassie Schrock and Paige Redditt fouling out late in the contest. Tavelyn James led all scorers with 24 points on 10-of-20 shooting, as Sydney Huntley finished with 21 points. Four Chippewas reached double figures in points, led by Shonda Long's 23 points. Taylor Johnson had 16 points and eight caroms before fouling out, to go along with 10 from Szunko and Brandie Baker.
A FAMILIAR FACE RETURNS TO THE CONVO: Mahogany Green, an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan from 2003-06, makes her return to the sidelines at the Convocation Center Thursday, Jan. 19, when Central Michigan comes to town. Green joined the Chippewas as an assistant coach during the summer of 2008.
Green helped lead the Eagles to a 67-23 mark and three postseason berths – including the 2004 NCAA Tournament – during here time in Ypsi. Ryan Coleman was a two-time WBCA honorable mention All-American during that time, as well as a three-time first-team All-MAC choice and the 2004 MAC Tournament MVP.
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 40-14 (74.1) against in-state rivals, including an 18-11 mark under AnnMarie Gilbert.
JAMES IN SOME RAREFIED COMPANY: Senior Tavelyn James has joined a select group of the most prolific senior scorers in program history. In 17 games, the Detroit native has racked up 380 points. The mark ranks ninth best in the EMU senior laurels. The MAC record for most points by a senior is Western Michigan's Carrie Moore with 813 points in 2006-07.
James also holds the EMU freshman (426), sophomore (641) and junior (642) single-season scoring marks.
CROSS-DIVISIONAL PLAY RETURNS: The 2011-12 season is the seventh utilizing the current Mid-American Conference scheduling format for women's basketball. Each of the 12 schools opens league action with five divisional games, followed by six cross-divisional games and then five more divisional contests to close the regular season.
Eastern Michigan has posted a 30-23 record versus MAC East Division opponents since the 2004-05 campaign. Eastern was 5-2 last season after finishing 4-4 in 2009-10. The Green and White were 2-5 in cross-divisional games in 2008-09, 4-3 in 2007-08, 4-4 in 2006-07, 6-2 in 2005-06 and 5-3 in 2004-05.
NCAA RANKINGS: The latest NCAA Statistical Rankings came out on Jan. 16 and the Eagles are ninth in the nation (out of 336 eligible teams) in steals per game at 13.8. They are 12th in turnover margin at +6.24, 23rd in rebounding margin (+7.8) and 56th in scoring margin (+10.4) . Individually, Tavelyn James is eighth in the nation in scoring with an average of 22.4 points per game and 48th in free throw percentage per game at 84.9 Desyree Thomas is 12th in the nation with an average of 3.5 steals per game, while Olivia Fouty is 109th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 8.3 per game.
WELCOME TO THE BLOCK PARTY: Eastern Michigan's size proved a difference maker against Western Michigan in the 84-59 victory, Jan. 14. The Green and White racked up six blocks and 48 rebounds en route to the 25-point decision. Olivia Fouty rejected three Bronco shots, while Paige Redditt, Natachia Watkins and Desyree Thomas each added a block to their credit. The six teams blocks was the most by an EMU squad since a six-block performance at Green Bay, Nov. 18, 2011.
INTERESTING STATS ABOUT EMU: In its 11 victories this season, EMU is averaging 72.8 points while the opposition is posting just 53.0 points. In those games, opponents are shooting 39.7 percent from the field compared to 43.1 percent for the Eagles. In defeats, the Eagles are only scoring 62.0 points, while giving up 68.8. Another factor in the Eagles' success has been the ability to control the glass. EMU is grabbing 40.8 rebounds to just 30.5 for the opponents in the wins, while in setbacks EMU is out-rebounding by only three caroms (41.0 to 38.0).
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: Eastern Michigan is 5-1 at the Convocation Center this season. The Eagles have won 30 of the last 39 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 69.7 percent of the contests played in the building, piling up a 124-54 all-time mark.
STRUGGLING FROM DOWNTOWN: The Eagles' three-point field goal shooting ability has been the team's Achilles heel in 2011-12, as the Eagles are shooting just 24.6 percent from the outside. EMU has made two-or-fewer shots from beyond the long line on seven occasions this season and is a combined 4-3 in those contests. The distance change to 20-feet, 8-inches for this season may have contributed to EMU's struggles. At this point during the 2009-10 campaign, EMU was averaging 6.9 long-range shots per game compared to 3.0 this season.
FOUTY WITH AUTHORITY: Sophomore forward Olivia Fouty continues to impress with her ability to rebound the basketball. Against Wyoming, Jan. 2, Fouty surpassed her career high with 15 rebounds in the first half en route to finishing the contest with 18 caroms. The 18 rebounds are tied for seventh most in a single game and are the most by an EMU player since Paige Redditt hauled down 18 against Loyola, Nov. 20, 2011.
Fouty has at least six caroms in 14 of her 17 games this season, and she has five double-figure rebounding performances (18 vs. Wyoming, 12 vs. UMKC, 12 vs. Michigan, 11 vs. Western Michigan, 10 at Detroit).
APPROACHING 900: Senior Paige Redditt has scored 830 points in her career and ranks 29th all time. There are currently 20 players in the 900-point club for EMU women's basketball.
A LOOK INSIDE THE SPECIALTY STATS: The Eagles are averaging 39.5 points per game in the paint, 10.1 points off the bench, 25.4 points per game off turnovers, 14.6 second-chance points and 14.5 fast break points per game.
HEARTBREAK AT THE BUZZER: Dating back to an overtime loss at Michigan State on Dec. 3, each of the Eagles' last five losses have been by three points or fewer.
EMU VERSUS THE MAC: This is EMU's 31st season competing in the Mid-American Conference. The Eagles hold a 209-275 record against conference foes and have posted winning seasons in the MAC in 10 of the last 11 campaigns. EMU has had the most success against Northern Illinois, going 27-9, and the least versus Bowling Green, 14-44. Western Michigan has been the Green and White's most frequent opponent with 70 meetings while Buffalo holds the distinction of the fewest conference games against the Eagles with 18.
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