Texas-Pan American Uses Second Half Rally to Edge EMU, 81-75

EDINBURG, Texas (EMUEagles.com) – Despite a career-best 20 points from Shannise Heady (Hazel Crest, Ill.-Hillcrest-Seton Hall), the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team could not hold on to a second half lead at the University of Texas-Pan American Saturday, Nov. 22. UTPA rallied to defeat the Eagles, 81-75, in non-conference action at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

With the Eagles clinging to five-point edge with 11 minutes to play, the Broncs used a 22-8 rally over the next 7:30 to flip the tables en route to the six-point decision. Hild Kjartansdottir was the key during the UTPA run, posting 11 of her 16 points as the Broncs were 7-of-15 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line during that stretch. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan connected on just one-of-eight field goal tries.

With the setback, the Eagles fell to 1-2 on the young season while the Broncs upped its record at 4-3.

It was the first career double-double for Heady, who finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Her previous career-high point output was 19 points and nine caroms in a WBI postseason contest against the University of Evansville, March 20, 2014. Sophomores Cha Sweeney (Toledo, Ohio-Rogers) and Janay Morton (Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Osseo) also reached double-digits in points with 15 and 12, respectively.

Shawnte' Goff led Texas-Pan American with 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting.

In a contest that featured 47 fouls, the Broncs were 18-for-26 from the free throw stripe, including going 7-of-8 in the closing moments. EMU made 20-of-27 charity tosses; however, it committed 26 turnovers that led to 30 points for UTPA.

In an opening period that featured three ties and five lead changes, the Green and White jumped out to an early 9-4 edge with Morton and Sweeney pushing the tempo. However, a 17-4 run by UTPA over the next 4:28 gave Texas-Pan American an eight-point cushion, 21-13, with 12:02 to play in the period.

The Eagles would respond with a quick burst of offense as well, retaking the lead with 3:45 to play in the half when Sweeney sank her eighth point of the day. The teams would exchange scores with the Eagles still clinging to a two-point advantage, 43-41, as two teams headed to the lockerroom at the half.

The Eagles were lead in the first half by Sweeney with 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting to go along with five rebounds. Classmate Morton also turned in a great half with nine points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Two players for UTPA reached double figures in points as Goff poured in 15 while Walker had 13.

Eastern Michigan recorded a 46.7 percent (16-of-35) shooting clip from the floor, while the Broncs were nearly as efficient at 37.5 percent (15-of-40). UTPA did most of its damage from distance connecting on seven treys, but EMU was just as good in the lane with 20 points in the paint.

Following the intermission, the Eagles saw the edge grow to as many as eight, 49-41, on three consecutive baskets by Heady and Kehoe. Yet again, the pesky Broncs would answer by scoring seven of the next nine points over two-minute span to get back within striking distance.

Heady would connect on a jumper at the 14:49 mark to make it 53-48, but the Eagles' offense would go ice-cold from the floor missing their next six field goal attempts. Luckily, EMU was still able to connect on 8-of-13 free throws, but the Broncs surged on top 66-63 with just under seven minutes to go.

The UTPA edge grew to nine, 76-67, on a three-pointer by Kjartansdottir. Eastern Michigan chipped away to get back within four on a jumper by Heady at the 11:14 mark, but Texas-Pan American closed out the game by making 7-of-8 charity tosses in the final four minutes to seal the victory.

The Eagles return home to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center Tuesday, Nov. 25, against NCAA Division II foe Hillsdale College. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on WEMU (89.1 FM). To purchase tickets, visit EMUTix.com or call 734.487.2282.

Texas-Pan American Uses Second Half Rally to Edge EMU, 81-75

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Team Stats

Shannise Heady

Cha Sweeney

Jamaica Bucknor

Janay Morton

Players Mentioned

Shannise Heady

Janay Morton

Cha Sweeney

Players Mentioned

Shannise Heady

Janay Morton

Cha Sweeney

Eastern Michigan Athletics