Eagles Down Weber State, 57-42, in Thanksgiving Classic Finale

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team capped off the Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic with a 57-42 victory over Weber State University, Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Pan American Center. Leading by just two points with 13 minutes to play, the Eagles' defense clamped down to hold the Wildcats without a field goal the rest of the contest.

Weber State's Brianna Averette's basket with 13:23 left cut thee EMU advantage to 34-32. Eastern Michigan would answer with a 17-2 run over the next seven minutes as sophomore guard Cha Sweeney (Toledo, Ohio-Rogers) poured in seven points during the run. WSU would miss its final 15 shots of the game, as Eastern Michigan would sink 13 of 16 tosses from the free throw line to seal the victory.

The Green and White finished the tournament as the only team without a loss, after yesterday upending Cal State Fullerton, 78-74, in the first game on the New Mexico State campus. With the win, the Eagles have won their last three games and jump to a record of 4-2. Meanwhile, the Wildcats fall to 4-3 after yesterday posting a 100-97 double overtime victory against tournament host NMSU.

The Eagles had a balanced scoring attack as it boasted a pair of players in double-digit scoring figures. Sweeney notched 16 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Janay Morton (Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Osseo) recorded 11 points in the victory, thanks in large part to a nearly flawless 6-of-7 performance from the free throw line. Junior Shannise Heady (Hazel Crest, Ill.-Hillcrest-Seton Hall) dropped in seven points and grabbed six caroms for the Green and White, and junior Rachel Kehoe (St. Clair, Mich.-St. Clair-St. Clair County C.C.) pulled down a career-best 13 rebounds on the afternoon.

The Wildcats, who shot just 17.9 percent (5-of-28) in the second half, were keyed by 12 points from Averette. Jocelyn Adams had eight points and six rebounds for WSU, which did not connect on a shot from beyond the three-point line on the day.

WSU got out to a hot start, taking an early 6-2 edge on a Regina Okoye jumper just a minute into the contest. Unphased, the Eagles used a 14-5 run over the next nine minutes to surge in front 19-11 with more than seven minutes left in the opening period.

Despite committing 12 first half turnovers, the Eagles took a 26-21 lead into the lockeroom.

Following the break, Weber State looked to have the momentum as they on three separate occasions the margin was cut to just two. But the Wildcats' shooting woes proved too much as they went the final 13:23 of the contest without a score from the floor.

Head Coach Tory Verdi and the rest of the Eagles return home Tuesday, Dec. 2, to take on the Vikings of Cleveland State University. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center. All fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation will receive a free general admission ticket. Toys for Tots containers will be placed on the concourse for fans to donate their toys after they redeem their free ticket from the ticket office.

Eagles Down Weber State, 57-42, in Thanksgiving Classic Finale

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Team Stats

Cha Sweeney

Janay Morton

Jamaica Bucknor

Shannise Heady

Players Mentioned

Shannise Heady

Rachel Kehoe

Janay Morton

Cha Sweeney

Players Mentioned

Shannise Heady

Rachel Kehoe

Janay Morton

Cha Sweeney

Eastern Michigan Athletics