Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Butler
Eagles Look to Remain Perfect Against Butler
11/12/2013 10:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 » 7:06 p.m. » Convocation Center (8,784) » Ypsilanti, Mich.
| Game Notes (PDF). | Listen to the Game on WEMU (FREE). | Watch the Game on All-Access. (Subscription-based). | Live Stats - Fan-Based. Media. |
EAGLES LOOK TO REMAIN PERFECT AGAINST BUTLER: After a 101-52 season-opening victory, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team plays host to Butler University Wednesday night, Nov. 13, at the Convocation Center. The opening tip is scheduled for 7:06 p.m. The Eagles are 1-0 on the young season after cruising to a 49-point victory over NAIA foe Madonna University, Nov. 9. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 1-0 on the year after upending Cleveland State University, 85-69, in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 8.
Veteran broadcasters Chad Bush and Greg Steiner will have the call on WEMU (89.1 FM) beginning at 6:50 p.m. Live video of the game can also be found on Eagle All-Access (EMUEagles.com/showcase) for a small fee.
ALL-TIME AGAINST BUTLER: The Eagles and Bulldogs will be meeting for the second consecutive year after a decade-long break. Butler leads the all-time series, 3-2.
In last year's game, BU notched a 65-59 victory at venerable Hinkle Field House in Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 28, 2012. The Bulldogs used the Eagles' foul troubles to cap off the victory down the stretch, hitting 18-of-23 free throws in the game. EMU shot 36.2 percent (21-of-58) from the field in the game, but hit just 13.3 percent (2-of-15) three-point tries.
The last time the teams met in Ypsilanti was Nov. 25, 2002, when EMU rolled to a 79-47 victory.
ALL-TIME VERSUS THE BIG EAST CONFERENCE: Eastern is 3-8 all-time versus the new version of the Big East Conference, having only played five of the 10 member institutions. EMU is 2-3 against Butler, 1-0 versus Creighton, 0-1 against Providence, 0-1 versus St. John's and 0-3 against DePaul.
SWEENEY EXPLODES FOR 25 IN COLLEGIATE DEBUT: Freshman Cha Sweeney was an offensive sparkplug for the Eagles, going 10-for-17 from the field for a total of 25 points, an average of one point for every minute she was on the court, in the victory over Madonna, Nov. 9. The 5-foot-2 guard also added four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Sweeney's 25-point performance marked the first time an EMU "true" freshman had scored more than 20 points in a game since Bianca Cage notched 25 at Western Michigan, Jan. 10, 2013. Sweeney's total is also the most by an Eagle in a season-opener since Tavelyn James dropped 42 points at Northeastern, Nov. 11, 2011.
CRUISING AT 101: EMU's 101-point performance against Madonna University, Nov. 11, was the most by an EMU squad since a 110-point output against Marygrove College, Nov. 14, 2011. The 49-point margin of victory ties for the ninth-largest margin of victory inside the Convocation Center, while the 101-point finish ranks as fifth-most points scored inside Eastern's home court.
HITTING THE CENTURY MARK: EMU senior Desyree Thomas will play in her 100th career game Wednesday, Nov. 13, against Butler.
A LOOK INSIDE THE SPECIALTY STATS: The Eagles are averaging 40.0 points per game in the paint, 42.0 points off the bench, 30.0 points per game off turnovers, 20.0 second-chance points and 38.0 fast break points per game.
ON THE HORIZON: Following the Butler contest, the Eagles will hit the road for the first time for a non-conference affair against Cleveland State University, Nov. 13. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The Eagles and Vikings will be meeting for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign. EMU leads the all-time series, 9-4.
EMU won the last meeting in Ypsilanti, 73-61, as the Eagles set a Convocation Center record with 62 team rebounds, out-rebounding the Vikings by 17 in the game. EMU also set a record for the most offensive rebounds at the Convocation Center with 29, while both teams combined for 107 rebounds, breaking the old record of 104.
In the last meeting in Cleveland, the Vikings captured a 76-67 victory, Nov. 18, 2008.
CLIMBING THE ASSIST CHARTS: Junior Desyree Thomas is currently eighth in the EMU record book with 345 career assists. Stephanie Smiley (1998-02) holds the EMU standard with 577 helpers.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: The Eagles have won 41 of the last 60 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 68.2 percent of the contests played in the building, piling up a 135-63 all-time mark.
ALL-TIME IN SEASON LID LIFTERS: The Nov. 8 contest against Madonna marked the start of Eastern Michigan University's 38th year of women's basketball, which began in 1976-77. The Eagles' first-ever collegiate contest since the school began offering scholarships was a 63-53 setback to the University of Michigan, Jan. 11, 1977.
All-time the Eagles are 25-13 in season lid lifters, including winning 12 of their last 13 openers dating back to an 82-67 victory over Cornell University, Nov. 16, 2001 at the Convocation Center.
AGAINST IN-STATE SCHOOLS: Eastern Michigan has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 11 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Eagles are 46-20 (69.7 winning percentage) against in-state rivals.
EMU AND THE HOME OPENER: EMU's home opener versus Madonna marked the start of the 16th season of EMU women's basketball at the Convocation Center. The Eagles are 14-2 all time in season openers at the Convo, including winning the last 14 home lid lifters dating back to a 79-53 victory over Chicago State University, Nov. 17, 2000. During the winning streak, EMU is winning the home opener by an average of 36 points (EMU 84.1, OPP 47.9).
