Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, February 1
Athens, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Ohio
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Travel to Athens, Ohio for a Crossover Tilt with the Bobcats
1/30/2012 3:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 » 7 p.m. » Convocation Center (13,080) » Athens, Ohio
Complete Release.
Live Stats.
Watch the Game.
EAGLES TRAVEL TO ATHENS, OHIO FOR A CROSSOVER TILT WITH THE BOBCATS: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the road with a stop in Athens, Ohio to face the Bobcats of Ohio University, Feb. 1. Tip-off for the Mid-American Conference cross-divisional tilt at the Convocation Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Eagles enter the game with a mark of 14-7 (6-2 MAC), tied with the University of Toledo for the top spot in the MAC West Division. Meanwhile, the Bobcats are 10-12 (3-5 MAC) after a dominating 72-59 victory Saturday, Jan. 28, at Western Michigan University.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE BOBCATS: The Feb. 1 contest marks the 52nd meeting between the Ohio Bobcats and Eastern Michigan Eagles, who first met during the 1980-81 season. Ohio leads the series, 30-21, with EMU posting an 85-40 victory in the team's only meeting last season back in Ypsilanti, Jan. 26, 2011.
TIES WITH THE BOBCATS: The EMU-Ohio game will mark the sixth time Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert has squared off versus the Bobcats. Gilbert began her collegiate career at Ohio University, playing two seasons (1986-88) before transferring to Oberlin College. She transferred to Oberlin for her junior and senior seasons (1989-91), where she was a two-time Kodak first team All-American, a two-time NCAC Player of the Year and the Honda Division III Athlete of the Year.
Additionally, Gilbert and Ohio's Head Coach Semeka Randall worked together as assistant coaches at Michigan State University from 2005-07.
EMU IN SOME ELITE COMPANY NATIONALLY: With the Eastern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams sitting in first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings, the Eagles are in an elite category nationally. Heading into the week, EMU was just one of seven schools across the 32 Division I basketball conferences that have both first-place men's and women's teams.
The schools include: Atlantic 10: St. Bonaventure; Atlantic Coast: Duke; Great West: Utah Valley; MAC West Division: Eastern Michigan; Mountain West: San Diego State; Southeastern: Kentucky ; Sun Belt East: Middle Tennessee.
JAMES NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN HER CAREER: Senior guard Tavelyn was named the Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball West Division Player of the Week, the conference office announced Jan. 30. It marks the sixth time she has won the award in her career.
James had another strong week in leading the Eagles to a perfect 2-0 record. In two games, she averaged 32.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. She dropped a game-high 34 points against the University at Buffalo, Jan. 25, and followed it up with a 31-point performance against the University of Akron, Jan. 28.
EN FUEGO: The Eagles shot 44.7 percent (38-of-85) from the floor in the 91-46 victory over the Akron Zips, Jan. 28, in Ypsilanti. Meanwhile, the defense stepped up, holding UA to just 24.5 percent (13-of-53) from the field for the 15th worst field goal ratio in the building's 14-year history. Additionally, the 45-point margin of victory was the largest differential in conference play this season.
20/20 VISION: Senior Tavelyn James poured in 31 points and sophomore Natachia Watkins dropped 26 in the Eagles' 45-point victory over Akron, Jan. 28. It marked the first time since March 5, 2011, that EMU had two players reach the 20 point plateau in the same game. In the opening game of the 2011 Mid-American Conference Tournament inside the EMU Convocation Center, James finished with 36 points and Paige Redditt added 21 points in EMU's 82-74 victory over Miami University.
ALLOWING 50 OR LESS: Eastern Michigan is 91-0 all time when allowing 50 points or less. Since 2003-04, the Green and White has accomplished the feat 46 times with 22 of those coming against Mid-American Conference foes.
A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST MEETING WITH OHIO: Eastern Michigan raced to a double-digit first-half lead and never looked back in an 85-40 win over Ohio, Jan. 26, 2011, in a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional game in the Convocation Center.
The Eagles blistered the nets for 71 percent from the field in the first half, hitting 22-of-31 shots for a 28-point advantage at intermission, the third-best first half effort of the season. That early lead enabled the Eagles to cruise in the second half to record the victory.
All 13 Eastern players hit the scoring column led by senior guard Sydney Huntley with 14 points while junior guard Tavelyn James added 12 points. Freshman Natachia Watkins and senior De'Ja Wills added eight points each. Senior Cassie Schrock led EMU with eight rebounds.
The Eagles connected on 38-of-61 field-goal attempts for 62.3 percent while holding Ohio to 24 percent on 12-of-50 shots. Ohio won the battle of the boards, 35-32.
Ohio was led by Alesia Howard with 13 points and Kamille Buckner chipped in 10.
SUPER SOPHOMORES: The sophomore trio of Olivia Fouty, Desyree Thomas and Natachia Watkins have been a large part of the team's continued success in 2011-12. The trifecta has combined for 39.7 percent of EMU's points (581), 40.9 percent of its rebounds (358) and 54.1 percent of the assists (151).
This is a dramatic change from their freshman campaign, when the three players combined for a season total of 170 points, 159 rebounds and 41 assists.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: Eastern Michigan has had double-digit steal totals in 17 games this season. The Green and White has also forced 15 opponents into more than 21 turnovers in a contest.
JAMES IN SOME RAREFIED COMPANY: Senior Tavelyn James has joined a select group of the most prolific senior scorers in program history. In 21 games, the Detroit native has racked up 497 points. The mark ranks fourth best in 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.
NCAA RANKINGS: The latest NCAA Statistical Rankings came out Jan. 30 and the Eagles are fourth in the nation (out of 336 eligible teams) in steals per game at 13.8. They are 12th in turnover margin at +6.38, 20th in rebounding margin (+11.3) and 41st in scoring margin (+11.3). Individually, Tavelyn James is third in the nation in scoring with an average of 23.7 points per game and 45th in free throw percentage per game at 85.0. Desyree Thomas is ninth in the nation with an average of 3.6 steals per game, while Paige Redditt and Olivia Fouty are 117th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 8.2 per game.
JAMES MOVING UP THE MAC LIST: Senior Tavelyn James, the leading scorer in EMU history, is also moving up the Mid-American Conference list. Just the 11th student-athlete in MAC history to surpass the 2,000-point mark in a career, James needs 19 points to pass Western Michigan's Carrie Moore (2003-07) for fourth on the MAC list. For the complete list of her accomplishments, turn to page 2 of these notes.
PIPING HOT TURNOVERS: After forcing 769 turnovers (20.8 per game) last season, Eastern Michigan is at it again this year, causing 498 turnovers (23.7 per game) in its 21 outings. The majority of those turnovers have come via EMU steals, with the Eagles registering 290 thefts (13.8 per game) after ranking first in the Mid-American Conference in that category last season.
MIAMI ON THE HORIZON: The Feb. 4 contest marks the 51st meeting between the Miami RedHawks and Eastern Michigan Eagles, who first met during the 1979-80 season. Miami has dominated the all-time series, 36-14, but the Eagles captured a pair of victories last season. EMU posted a 72-62 victory in Oxford, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2011, and then got the better of the RedHawks in the MAC Tournament First Round, 82-74, at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Mich., March 5, 2011.
Live Stats.
Watch the Game.
EAGLES TRAVEL TO ATHENS, OHIO FOR A CROSSOVER TILT WITH THE BOBCATS: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the road with a stop in Athens, Ohio to face the Bobcats of Ohio University, Feb. 1. Tip-off for the Mid-American Conference cross-divisional tilt at the Convocation Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Eagles enter the game with a mark of 14-7 (6-2 MAC), tied with the University of Toledo for the top spot in the MAC West Division. Meanwhile, the Bobcats are 10-12 (3-5 MAC) after a dominating 72-59 victory Saturday, Jan. 28, at Western Michigan University.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE BOBCATS: The Feb. 1 contest marks the 52nd meeting between the Ohio Bobcats and Eastern Michigan Eagles, who first met during the 1980-81 season. Ohio leads the series, 30-21, with EMU posting an 85-40 victory in the team's only meeting last season back in Ypsilanti, Jan. 26, 2011.
TIES WITH THE BOBCATS: The EMU-Ohio game will mark the sixth time Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert has squared off versus the Bobcats. Gilbert began her collegiate career at Ohio University, playing two seasons (1986-88) before transferring to Oberlin College. She transferred to Oberlin for her junior and senior seasons (1989-91), where she was a two-time Kodak first team All-American, a two-time NCAC Player of the Year and the Honda Division III Athlete of the Year.
Additionally, Gilbert and Ohio's Head Coach Semeka Randall worked together as assistant coaches at Michigan State University from 2005-07.
EMU IN SOME ELITE COMPANY NATIONALLY: With the Eastern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams sitting in first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings, the Eagles are in an elite category nationally. Heading into the week, EMU was just one of seven schools across the 32 Division I basketball conferences that have both first-place men's and women's teams.
The schools include: Atlantic 10: St. Bonaventure; Atlantic Coast: Duke; Great West: Utah Valley; MAC West Division: Eastern Michigan; Mountain West: San Diego State; Southeastern: Kentucky ; Sun Belt East: Middle Tennessee.
JAMES NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN HER CAREER: Senior guard Tavelyn was named the Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball West Division Player of the Week, the conference office announced Jan. 30. It marks the sixth time she has won the award in her career.
James had another strong week in leading the Eagles to a perfect 2-0 record. In two games, she averaged 32.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. She dropped a game-high 34 points against the University at Buffalo, Jan. 25, and followed it up with a 31-point performance against the University of Akron, Jan. 28.
EN FUEGO: The Eagles shot 44.7 percent (38-of-85) from the floor in the 91-46 victory over the Akron Zips, Jan. 28, in Ypsilanti. Meanwhile, the defense stepped up, holding UA to just 24.5 percent (13-of-53) from the field for the 15th worst field goal ratio in the building's 14-year history. Additionally, the 45-point margin of victory was the largest differential in conference play this season.
20/20 VISION: Senior Tavelyn James poured in 31 points and sophomore Natachia Watkins dropped 26 in the Eagles' 45-point victory over Akron, Jan. 28. It marked the first time since March 5, 2011, that EMU had two players reach the 20 point plateau in the same game. In the opening game of the 2011 Mid-American Conference Tournament inside the EMU Convocation Center, James finished with 36 points and Paige Redditt added 21 points in EMU's 82-74 victory over Miami University.
ALLOWING 50 OR LESS: Eastern Michigan is 91-0 all time when allowing 50 points or less. Since 2003-04, the Green and White has accomplished the feat 46 times with 22 of those coming against Mid-American Conference foes.
A LOOK BACK AT THE LAST MEETING WITH OHIO: Eastern Michigan raced to a double-digit first-half lead and never looked back in an 85-40 win over Ohio, Jan. 26, 2011, in a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional game in the Convocation Center.
The Eagles blistered the nets for 71 percent from the field in the first half, hitting 22-of-31 shots for a 28-point advantage at intermission, the third-best first half effort of the season. That early lead enabled the Eagles to cruise in the second half to record the victory.
All 13 Eastern players hit the scoring column led by senior guard Sydney Huntley with 14 points while junior guard Tavelyn James added 12 points. Freshman Natachia Watkins and senior De'Ja Wills added eight points each. Senior Cassie Schrock led EMU with eight rebounds.
The Eagles connected on 38-of-61 field-goal attempts for 62.3 percent while holding Ohio to 24 percent on 12-of-50 shots. Ohio won the battle of the boards, 35-32.
Ohio was led by Alesia Howard with 13 points and Kamille Buckner chipped in 10.
SUPER SOPHOMORES: The sophomore trio of Olivia Fouty, Desyree Thomas and Natachia Watkins have been a large part of the team's continued success in 2011-12. The trifecta has combined for 39.7 percent of EMU's points (581), 40.9 percent of its rebounds (358) and 54.1 percent of the assists (151).
This is a dramatic change from their freshman campaign, when the three players combined for a season total of 170 points, 159 rebounds and 41 assists.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: Eastern Michigan has had double-digit steal totals in 17 games this season. The Green and White has also forced 15 opponents into more than 21 turnovers in a contest.
JAMES IN SOME RAREFIED COMPANY: Senior Tavelyn James has joined a select group of the most prolific senior scorers in program history. In 21 games, the Detroit native has racked up 497 points. The mark ranks fourth best in 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.
NCAA RANKINGS: The latest NCAA Statistical Rankings came out Jan. 30 and the Eagles are fourth in the nation (out of 336 eligible teams) in steals per game at 13.8. They are 12th in turnover margin at +6.38, 20th in rebounding margin (+11.3) and 41st in scoring margin (+11.3). Individually, Tavelyn James is third in the nation in scoring with an average of 23.7 points per game and 45th in free throw percentage per game at 85.0. Desyree Thomas is ninth in the nation with an average of 3.6 steals per game, while Paige Redditt and Olivia Fouty are 117th in the nation in rebounds with an average of 8.2 per game.
JAMES MOVING UP THE MAC LIST: Senior Tavelyn James, the leading scorer in EMU history, is also moving up the Mid-American Conference list. Just the 11th student-athlete in MAC history to surpass the 2,000-point mark in a career, James needs 19 points to pass Western Michigan's Carrie Moore (2003-07) for fourth on the MAC list. For the complete list of her accomplishments, turn to page 2 of these notes.
PIPING HOT TURNOVERS: After forcing 769 turnovers (20.8 per game) last season, Eastern Michigan is at it again this year, causing 498 turnovers (23.7 per game) in its 21 outings. The majority of those turnovers have come via EMU steals, with the Eagles registering 290 thefts (13.8 per game) after ranking first in the Mid-American Conference in that category last season.
MIAMI ON THE HORIZON: The Feb. 4 contest marks the 51st meeting between the Miami RedHawks and Eastern Michigan Eagles, who first met during the 1979-80 season. Miami has dominated the all-time series, 36-14, but the Eagles captured a pair of victories last season. EMU posted a 72-62 victory in Oxford, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2011, and then got the better of the RedHawks in the MAC Tournament First Round, 82-74, at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Mich., March 5, 2011.
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