Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, December 21
Convocation Center
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5-7
65
vs
44
Air Force
2-8
1
2
3
4
F
Air Force
9
15
11
9
44
Eastern Michigan
15
14
23
13
65
Photo by: Dave Wegiel
Eagles Drop Air Force, 65-44, Behind Strong Defense
12/21/2016 3:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Green and White held the Falcons' offense in check
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team came out on top today, Dec. 21, in a home bout with the Air Force Academy by a final tally of 65-44. The Eagles (5-7, 0-0 MAC) got back on track with solid defensive play to hold the Falcons' (2-8, 0-0 MWC) offense in check.
The EMU defense was very strong throughout the game, holding the Falcons to just 14-of-61 (23 percent) shooting. Eastern also forced Air Force into 22 turnovers, and turned those into 20 points on the offensive end. The Green and White shot 25-of-66 (37.9 percent) while also outrebounding the Falcons, 51-47. Additionally, Eastern dominated in the paint, posting 36 points in the paint compared to Air Force's 18. Eastern had eight separate players score points in the game.
Senior Phillis Webb (Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Osseo) had a fantastic game, picking up a double-double with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, in addition to securing 17 rebounds, which was a career high. Behind her, junior Sasha Dailey (Toledo, Ohio – Rogers) scored 19 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while also swiping the ball four times. Fellow junior Tori Easley (Toledo, Ohio – Rogers) also brought down nine boards and kicked in four points.
The Eagles opened an early 4-0 lead behind layups from Easley and Dailey, but Air Force then gained the lead, 7-6. EMU promptly tied it up to even things at nine each. From there, however, the Green and White went on a 10-0 run from the end of the first quarter and into the second. The run came to a close with a layup from freshman Jayla Russ (Arlington, Wash. – Arlington) to make it 19-9. After going up by 10, 22-12, the Falcons clawed their way back to within three, 22-19, at the 3:24 mark of the second.
Both teams next traded free throws, with freshman Esabelle Levine (Eden Prarie, Minn. – Eden Prarie) knocking down three from the charity stripe within a 40-second span, putting the score at 25-21 with 2:40 to go until the break. Clinging to just a two-point lead, freshman Becca Turney (Canonsburg, Pa. – Canon McMillan) dropped in a layup to put the lead back at four, 27-23. The highlight of the first half came right at the buzzer, as Webb pulled in a tough rebound following a missed Air Force free throw, and beat the buzzer with an off-balance jumper. At halftime, the Eagles clung to a five-point lead, 29-24.
Through the first half, all eight Eagles that entered the game scored at least one point, with Dailey leading the way at nine points, while Webb had six points and eight boards. The EMU defense held the Falcons to just 8-of-26 shooting (30.8 percent) in the half, and forced 13 turnovers.
The second half saw the Green and White increase their lead quickly, scoring a quick three baskets to push the score to 35-26. Air Force pulled back within four, 35-31, but EMU then went on a 15-0 run to extend the lead to 19, 50-31. Multiple Eagles scored on the run, with Webb knocking down two jumpers and sinking two free throws. At the end of the third, EMU held a commanding 52-35 lead.
Russ sank a three to kick off the fourth quarter, making the score 55-35. With the big lead, Eastern and Air Force began trading baskets, with junior Micah Robinson (Ann Arbor, Mich. – Huron), Webb, and freshman Nailah Mitchell (Shaker Heights, Ohio – Shaker Heights) all scoring within the final few minutes of play. When the clock struck zero, the Green and White came out on top, 65-44.
This marks the final game of non-conference play. The Eagles will begin the MAC portion of their schedule with a road game against Northern Illinois University Saturday, Dec. 31, in DeKalb, Ill.
The EMU defense was very strong throughout the game, holding the Falcons to just 14-of-61 (23 percent) shooting. Eastern also forced Air Force into 22 turnovers, and turned those into 20 points on the offensive end. The Green and White shot 25-of-66 (37.9 percent) while also outrebounding the Falcons, 51-47. Additionally, Eastern dominated in the paint, posting 36 points in the paint compared to Air Force's 18. Eastern had eight separate players score points in the game.
Senior Phillis Webb (Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Osseo) had a fantastic game, picking up a double-double with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, in addition to securing 17 rebounds, which was a career high. Behind her, junior Sasha Dailey (Toledo, Ohio – Rogers) scored 19 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while also swiping the ball four times. Fellow junior Tori Easley (Toledo, Ohio – Rogers) also brought down nine boards and kicked in four points.
The Eagles opened an early 4-0 lead behind layups from Easley and Dailey, but Air Force then gained the lead, 7-6. EMU promptly tied it up to even things at nine each. From there, however, the Green and White went on a 10-0 run from the end of the first quarter and into the second. The run came to a close with a layup from freshman Jayla Russ (Arlington, Wash. – Arlington) to make it 19-9. After going up by 10, 22-12, the Falcons clawed their way back to within three, 22-19, at the 3:24 mark of the second.
Both teams next traded free throws, with freshman Esabelle Levine (Eden Prarie, Minn. – Eden Prarie) knocking down three from the charity stripe within a 40-second span, putting the score at 25-21 with 2:40 to go until the break. Clinging to just a two-point lead, freshman Becca Turney (Canonsburg, Pa. – Canon McMillan) dropped in a layup to put the lead back at four, 27-23. The highlight of the first half came right at the buzzer, as Webb pulled in a tough rebound following a missed Air Force free throw, and beat the buzzer with an off-balance jumper. At halftime, the Eagles clung to a five-point lead, 29-24.
Through the first half, all eight Eagles that entered the game scored at least one point, with Dailey leading the way at nine points, while Webb had six points and eight boards. The EMU defense held the Falcons to just 8-of-26 shooting (30.8 percent) in the half, and forced 13 turnovers.
The second half saw the Green and White increase their lead quickly, scoring a quick three baskets to push the score to 35-26. Air Force pulled back within four, 35-31, but EMU then went on a 15-0 run to extend the lead to 19, 50-31. Multiple Eagles scored on the run, with Webb knocking down two jumpers and sinking two free throws. At the end of the third, EMU held a commanding 52-35 lead.
Russ sank a three to kick off the fourth quarter, making the score 55-35. With the big lead, Eastern and Air Force began trading baskets, with junior Micah Robinson (Ann Arbor, Mich. – Huron), Webb, and freshman Nailah Mitchell (Shaker Heights, Ohio – Shaker Heights) all scoring within the final few minutes of play. When the clock struck zero, the Green and White came out on top, 65-44.
This marks the final game of non-conference play. The Eagles will begin the MAC portion of their schedule with a road game against Northern Illinois University Saturday, Dec. 31, in DeKalb, Ill.
Team Stats
AF
EMU
FG%
.230
.379
3FG%
.333
.188
FT%
.609
.632
RB
47
51
TO
22
13
STL
9
10
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
5
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballG
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