EMU Opens a Three-Game Homestand Sunday Against BGSU

EMU OPENS A THREE-GAME HOMESTAND SUNDAY AGAINST BGSU: After playing four of its first five Mid-American Conference games on the road, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center to open a three-game homestand Sunday, Jan. 27, against Bowling Green State University. Game time is scheduled for 2:04 p.m.
Eastern Michigan enters the game with a 4-14 (2-3 MAC) record, after cruising past Kent State University, 64-45, in Kent, Ohio, Jan. 24. The Falcons are 12-6 (3-2 MAC) on the season following a 57-54 home setback to Miami University, Jan. 24.

A SPOTLIGHT ON THE FALCONS: The Jan. 27 contest marks the 61st meeting between the Bowling Green Falcons and Eastern Michigan Eagles, who first met during the 1976-1977 season. BGSU has dominated the all-time series, 46-14, including winning the last 10 meetings between the two schools. Last season, the Falcons captured a 70-54 victory at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio, Jan. 22, 2012. EMU's last victory in the series occurred Feb. 19, 2005, when the Eagles notched a 57-52 win at the Convocation Center.

MAC TITANS: When the Eagles and Falcons have tangled over the past 10 seasons, it has almost been a guarantee that one of the teams (if not both) is on top of the MAC standings. However, Sunday's game breaks a streak of 13 consecutive meetings that had featured the league's divisional leader. The last time neither side was in first place was Jan. 27, 2004. Ironically, EMU and BGSU would next square off in the MAC Tournament title game, March 13, with the Eagles advancing to the NCAA Tournament after a 65-56 victory. BGSU had been in first place in 12 of those games with EMU holding down the divisional lead in five contests. Additionally, both teams were first in their respective divisions four times (2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012).

THE LAST TIME WE MET: In a battle of MAC division leaders, Bowling Green used strong shooting and aggressive defense to disrupt the potent Eastern Michigan offense, en route to a 70-54 victory, Jan. 22, 2012, at the Stroh Center. The Green and White were led by Tavelyn James with a team-high 29 points in 39 minutes of work. Natachia Watkins followed with 10 points and Paige Redditt chipped in seven points and 14 rebounds.
Alexis Rogers lead all Bowling Green players with 30 points. Chrissy Steffen notched 10 points followed by eight each from Jasmine Matthews and Jessica Slagle.
Eastern Michigan shot 27.3 percent (15-of-31) for the game to go along with 72.4 percent (21-of-29) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Bowling Green managed a 51 percent (25-of-49) clip. However, the Eagles controlled the glass (39 to 33) and forced 21 Falcon turnovers that led to 12 points.

DOMINANCE AT THE M.A.C. CENTER: Turning pressure defense into up-tempo offense, Eastern Michigan rolled to a 64-45 victory over the Kent State, Jan. 24, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. The 19-point victory in Kent is a rare one for the Eagles, as EMU holds a 5-20 all-time record in the M.A.C. Center.
The 45 points for KSU were the lowest they have scored against Eastern Michigan on its home floor since they tallied 54 against the Green and White, Jan. 6, 1980. The low-mark also broke an all-time low scoring record for Kent State against EMU. The previous low was 46 points, Feb. 19, 1983, at venerable Bowen Field House.

THE BENCH EXCELS AT KENT STATE: Head Coach Tory Verdi decided to tweak his starting lineup at Kent State, Jan. 24, and his bench came alive, scoring a season-high 40 points. Bianca Cage scored 19 points to lead the Eagles. Desyree Thomas was the other EMU player in double digits, tallying 12 points. Natachia Watkins padded the statistical categories with nine points, nine rebounds, four steals and two assists.
The last time the EMU bench produced 40 points was March 2, 2011, when the reserves helped the Eagles to an 80-56 victory over Western Michigan University.

ALLOWING 50 OR LESS: Eastern Michigan is 96-0 all time when allowing 50 points-or-less. Since 2003-04, the Green and White has accomplished the feat 51 times with 26 of those coming against Mid-American Conference foes.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: Eastern Michigan has become very familiar with the road, as the team has played 10 of its last 13 contests away from the confines of the Convocation Center. EMU was 3-10 during the stretch with wins at Kansas City (Dec. 15), Western Michigan (Jan. 10) and Kent State (Jan. 24). The Eagles will now play seven of its final 11 regular season tilts in Ypsilanti.

STOP, THIEF!: After a record-setting 2011-12 campaign, junior Desyree Thomas has returned to her familiar role of leading the Eagles in steals. This year, Thomas has 46 swipes to rank fourth the Mid-American Conference in that category. Last year, the Waterford, Mich. native set the EMU single-season record by nabbing 110 steals.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: The Eagles have won 37 of the last 50 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 69.3 percent of the contests played in the building, piling up a 131-58 all-time mark.

SURPASSING SINGLE-SEASON BESTS: Several Eagles have already surpassed their single-season bests with plenty of basketball still to be played. Senior India Hairston has notched new single-season highs in points (154), rebounds (116), assists (11), steals (21) and minutes played (559). Meanwhile classmate Chelsea Hite has new single-season standards in points (36), rebounds (36), blocks (5), and minutes played (145).

NORTHERN ILLINOIS ON THE HORIZON: The Jan. 31 contest marks the 38th meeting between the Northern Illinois Huskies and Eastern Michigan Eagles, who first played during the 1981-82 season. Eastern leads the overall series, 28-9, and has won 23 of the last 26 games over the Cardinal and Black.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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