Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 16
Convocation Center
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-18 (4-7MAC)
63
vs
79
Buffalo
8-16 (6-5MAC)
1
2
F
Buffalo
42
37
79
Eastern Michigan
26
37
63
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Watkins and Hairston Turn in Double-Doubles in 79-63 Setback to UB
2/16/2013 4:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Thomas also hits double figure scoring, but UB puts up stronger offensive showing
Photo Gallery.
Postgame Highlights.
Postgame Audio.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team was unsuccessful at defending home court in 79-63 loss to Mid-American Conference East Division opponent the University at Buffalo Saturday, Feb. 16, at the EMU Convocation Center.
A first half run by the Bulls (8-16; 6-5 MAC) and early foul trouble for playmaker Desyree Thomas (Waterford, Mich. –Mott) were too much for the Eagles (6-18; 4-7 MAC) to overcome despite a 13 point, 13 rebound performance from senior center India Hairston (Flint, Mich.-Hamady).
The Eagles shot 23-of-71 for 32.4 percent, their three triples all coming from Bianca Cage (Memphis, Tenn.-Southwind) who scored nine for the game. Buffalo shot 28-of-56 for 50 percent. The visiting Bulls were led by the play of their speedy point guard Margeaux Gupilan, 13 points and nine assists, and the scoring of Detroit native Cherridy Thorton, who led all scorers with 16.
Both teams came out swinging at the game's start, each scoring in their opening possessions. The Bulls struck first with a short jumper from Christa Baccas, but the Eagles answered quickly when Thomas completed a mirror jumper at the other end of the court.
Five minutes into the first stanza, UB went on a 15-0 run assisted by three consecutive EMU turnovers. Taylor Bird (Lawrence, Kan. -Lawrence) broke-up the Bulls' run by cleaning up her own miss and finishing with a crafty reverse layup.
The Green and White were able to tighten up their defense mid-way through the first half and began to eliminate the Bulls' easy buckets. Thomas carried the offense for the Eagles over a four minute stretch, finding success penetrating and pulling up for six sequential points. At the six minute mark, Cage converted on a three from the corner to cut the Bulls' lead to 10.
An audibly fired up Bulls squad closed the first half on an 8-3 run facilitated by aggressive rebounding on the offensive glass and good perimeter shooting. Eastern's final three points of the half came from a Hairston free throw and an Iesha Collins (Chicago, Ill. –Bogan) mid-range jumper.
The first half ended with Buffalo leading the Eagles 42-26. EMU shot 11-of-26 for 42.3 percent in the first half, compared to 17-of-29 for 58.6 percent by the Bulls. UB's first half offense was led by Thornton's 12 points. The Eagles were plagued by turnovers in the first half committing 11, leading to 15 points for Buffalo.
Coach Tory Verdi's halftime speech must have energized his frontcourt. In the initial moments of the second half, Sara Stone (Plymouth, Mich.-Salem) began to make her presence felt, making back-to-back stops for the Eagles and then finishing from the low post on her earned possessions. Hairston also had a renewed vigor, pulling down five second half rebounds before the 5 minutes had elapsed.
Cage's long range fire power was back on display as she scored treys on her first two touches of the second half, the second once again cutting UB's lead to 10.
With 13:01 remaining on the clock, the Bulls went on a 6-2 run fueled largely by their ability to drive and draw fouls.
By the 3:37 mark, Natachia Watkins (South Euclid, Ohio-Brush) had quietly put together a 10 point and 10 rebound game often scoring over a tandem of Buffalo defenders. Watkins scored all of her points in the second half. Her final make coming from a smooth step-back to finish above three Bulls.
The Eagles high energy finish to the game was not enough to erase their deficit as the Bulls went on the win 79-63.
The EMU women's cagers will be in action again 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Ball State University's Worthen Arena where they will look to avenge a 41-56 home loss earlier this season, Feb.3.
Postgame Highlights.
Postgame Audio.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team was unsuccessful at defending home court in 79-63 loss to Mid-American Conference East Division opponent the University at Buffalo Saturday, Feb. 16, at the EMU Convocation Center.
A first half run by the Bulls (8-16; 6-5 MAC) and early foul trouble for playmaker Desyree Thomas (Waterford, Mich. –Mott) were too much for the Eagles (6-18; 4-7 MAC) to overcome despite a 13 point, 13 rebound performance from senior center India Hairston (Flint, Mich.-Hamady).
The Eagles shot 23-of-71 for 32.4 percent, their three triples all coming from Bianca Cage (Memphis, Tenn.-Southwind) who scored nine for the game. Buffalo shot 28-of-56 for 50 percent. The visiting Bulls were led by the play of their speedy point guard Margeaux Gupilan, 13 points and nine assists, and the scoring of Detroit native Cherridy Thorton, who led all scorers with 16.
Both teams came out swinging at the game's start, each scoring in their opening possessions. The Bulls struck first with a short jumper from Christa Baccas, but the Eagles answered quickly when Thomas completed a mirror jumper at the other end of the court.
Five minutes into the first stanza, UB went on a 15-0 run assisted by three consecutive EMU turnovers. Taylor Bird (Lawrence, Kan. -Lawrence) broke-up the Bulls' run by cleaning up her own miss and finishing with a crafty reverse layup.
The Green and White were able to tighten up their defense mid-way through the first half and began to eliminate the Bulls' easy buckets. Thomas carried the offense for the Eagles over a four minute stretch, finding success penetrating and pulling up for six sequential points. At the six minute mark, Cage converted on a three from the corner to cut the Bulls' lead to 10.
An audibly fired up Bulls squad closed the first half on an 8-3 run facilitated by aggressive rebounding on the offensive glass and good perimeter shooting. Eastern's final three points of the half came from a Hairston free throw and an Iesha Collins (Chicago, Ill. –Bogan) mid-range jumper.
The first half ended with Buffalo leading the Eagles 42-26. EMU shot 11-of-26 for 42.3 percent in the first half, compared to 17-of-29 for 58.6 percent by the Bulls. UB's first half offense was led by Thornton's 12 points. The Eagles were plagued by turnovers in the first half committing 11, leading to 15 points for Buffalo.
Coach Tory Verdi's halftime speech must have energized his frontcourt. In the initial moments of the second half, Sara Stone (Plymouth, Mich.-Salem) began to make her presence felt, making back-to-back stops for the Eagles and then finishing from the low post on her earned possessions. Hairston also had a renewed vigor, pulling down five second half rebounds before the 5 minutes had elapsed.
Cage's long range fire power was back on display as she scored treys on her first two touches of the second half, the second once again cutting UB's lead to 10.
With 13:01 remaining on the clock, the Bulls went on a 6-2 run fueled largely by their ability to drive and draw fouls.
By the 3:37 mark, Natachia Watkins (South Euclid, Ohio-Brush) had quietly put together a 10 point and 10 rebound game often scoring over a tandem of Buffalo defenders. Watkins scored all of her points in the second half. Her final make coming from a smooth step-back to finish above three Bulls.
The Eagles high energy finish to the game was not enough to erase their deficit as the Bulls went on the win 79-63.
The EMU women's cagers will be in action again 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Ball State University's Worthen Arena where they will look to avenge a 41-56 home loss earlier this season, Feb.3.
Team Stats
UB
EMU
FG%
.500
.324
3FG%
.429
.273
FT%
.917
.875
RB
31
47
TO
17
16
STL
7
9
Game Leaders
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
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