Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, February 3
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
13-8 (4-6MAC)
65
vs
66
Central Michigan
14-7 (8-2MAC)
1
2
3
4
F
Central Michigan
15
7
30
14
66
Eastern Michigan
10
15
24
16
65
Photo by: Scott W. Grau/Icon SMI
Eagles Drop a Heartbreaker, 66-65, Against CMU
2/3/2016 9:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Green and White were unable to capitalize on late opportunities to retake the lead
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team (13-8, 4-6 MAC) dropped a heartbreaker, 66-65, against Central Michigan University (14-7, 8-2 MAC), Feb. 3 at the Convocation Center in Mid-American Conference play. Despite a career day from junior Sheyna Deans (Mt. Clemens, Mich. – Mt. Clemens), the EMU offense was unable to convert opportunities within the final minute to secure the victory.
Individually, the Eagles were paced by an overall solid game from Deans, who had 16 points, seven rebounds, and two steals on the night, shattering her previous career record of 11 points. Additionally, junior Cha Sweeney (Toledo, Ohio – Rogers) led the EMU offense, dropping 23 points and picking up a season-high eight rebounds. The final Eagle in double digits was graduate transfer Chanise Baldwin (Pontiac, Mich. – Martin Luther King) with 14 points, as well as six boards, and four blocks.
As a team, EMU forced the MAC West leading Chippewas into their most turnovers so far this season, as Central turned the ball over 25 times. On the other hand, EMU only gave the ball away seven times on the night. The Green and White also held a 14-2 advantage in fast break points, and edged CMU in points off of turnovers by a 23-4 margin.
Central opened the scoring on the day, taking an early 5-0 lead after a pair of layups and a free throw. The EMU offense could not find a rhythm through the opening minutes, as the Chips increased their lead to 9-0 with 6:07 to go in the first frame. Junior Phillis Webb (Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Osseo) got the Eagles on the board with a layup, after which Sweeney drained a long-ball to make the score 9-5. Following a steal, Sweeney managed to drive the hoop and convert an acrobatic layup while being fouled in the process. After making the free throw, the score stood at 11-10 in favor of CMU. Closing in on the final minute of the quarter, the Chippewas maintained a five-point lead, 15-10. At the end of the first, EMU trailed Central, 15-10.
Deans grabbed an offensive rebound and knocked down a jumper to bring the score to 15-12 within the opening minute of the second quarter. The Eagles then scored a quick seven points to take the lead, 19-18, at the 5:45 mark. With the Green and White defense clamping down, the Chips went scoreless for nearly four minutes. A three from CMU tied it up at 21 apiece, but Eastern quickly responded with a pair of baskets to put the score at 25-21. Neither team could score efficiently down the stretch, and at half, the Eagles maintained a 25-22 lead.
Both teams came out of the break firing, as the score increased to 31-28 with 7:30 left in the quarter. A three from Sweeney bumped the lead to 34-28 in favor of the Green and White. A pair of steals resulted in some fast break offense for the Eagles, who raced to a 10-point lead, 38-28, with 5:50 to go in the third. Defense was the name of the game for the Eagles, as the Chips had 18 turnovers through this point in the game. The teams then continued trading baskets, and at the 2:38 mark, EMU led 44-39. An and-one from Baldwin pushed the Eagles ahead 47-39, but the Chips mounted a short run to tie the game at 47. A layup by Central forced EMU to call a timeout after falling behind, 49-47. Going into the final quarter of play the Eagles trailed, 52-49.
The Chippewas stretched their lead to seven, 56-49, with eight minutes to go. A steal and layup from Deans brought the Eagles back within seven, and another quick basket made the score 58-53. Deans then sunk two from the line, and Sweeney nailed another three, reducing the Central lead to 61-58. Another long-ball from Sweeney tied the game up at 61 apiece, before a pair at the line from Deans gave EMU the lead, 63-61, with 4:19 left. However, the Chips retook the lead, 66-65, with just under two minutes to play. A critical steal by junior Janay Morton (Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Osseo) gave the Eagles an opportunity to retake the lead with 25 seconds left on the clock. With that turnover, the Green and White forced the Chips to their most turnovers so far this season. After a foul against Central, Sweeney was sent to the line with an opportunity to tie or take the lead. However, both shots rattled on the rim and bounced out. After CMU stepped out of bounds, Eastern had one final opportunity to retake the lead. A desperation layup from Baldwin was not enough, however, as the Chips held on for a 66-65 victory.
The Green and White will remain at home for a bout against Western Michigan University, Feb. 6. Tip-off from the Convocation Center on Saturday is set for 2 p.m. The game will be the Play4Kay Pink-Out game.
Individually, the Eagles were paced by an overall solid game from Deans, who had 16 points, seven rebounds, and two steals on the night, shattering her previous career record of 11 points. Additionally, junior Cha Sweeney (Toledo, Ohio – Rogers) led the EMU offense, dropping 23 points and picking up a season-high eight rebounds. The final Eagle in double digits was graduate transfer Chanise Baldwin (Pontiac, Mich. – Martin Luther King) with 14 points, as well as six boards, and four blocks.
As a team, EMU forced the MAC West leading Chippewas into their most turnovers so far this season, as Central turned the ball over 25 times. On the other hand, EMU only gave the ball away seven times on the night. The Green and White also held a 14-2 advantage in fast break points, and edged CMU in points off of turnovers by a 23-4 margin.
Central opened the scoring on the day, taking an early 5-0 lead after a pair of layups and a free throw. The EMU offense could not find a rhythm through the opening minutes, as the Chips increased their lead to 9-0 with 6:07 to go in the first frame. Junior Phillis Webb (Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Osseo) got the Eagles on the board with a layup, after which Sweeney drained a long-ball to make the score 9-5. Following a steal, Sweeney managed to drive the hoop and convert an acrobatic layup while being fouled in the process. After making the free throw, the score stood at 11-10 in favor of CMU. Closing in on the final minute of the quarter, the Chippewas maintained a five-point lead, 15-10. At the end of the first, EMU trailed Central, 15-10.
Deans grabbed an offensive rebound and knocked down a jumper to bring the score to 15-12 within the opening minute of the second quarter. The Eagles then scored a quick seven points to take the lead, 19-18, at the 5:45 mark. With the Green and White defense clamping down, the Chips went scoreless for nearly four minutes. A three from CMU tied it up at 21 apiece, but Eastern quickly responded with a pair of baskets to put the score at 25-21. Neither team could score efficiently down the stretch, and at half, the Eagles maintained a 25-22 lead.
Both teams came out of the break firing, as the score increased to 31-28 with 7:30 left in the quarter. A three from Sweeney bumped the lead to 34-28 in favor of the Green and White. A pair of steals resulted in some fast break offense for the Eagles, who raced to a 10-point lead, 38-28, with 5:50 to go in the third. Defense was the name of the game for the Eagles, as the Chips had 18 turnovers through this point in the game. The teams then continued trading baskets, and at the 2:38 mark, EMU led 44-39. An and-one from Baldwin pushed the Eagles ahead 47-39, but the Chips mounted a short run to tie the game at 47. A layup by Central forced EMU to call a timeout after falling behind, 49-47. Going into the final quarter of play the Eagles trailed, 52-49.
The Chippewas stretched their lead to seven, 56-49, with eight minutes to go. A steal and layup from Deans brought the Eagles back within seven, and another quick basket made the score 58-53. Deans then sunk two from the line, and Sweeney nailed another three, reducing the Central lead to 61-58. Another long-ball from Sweeney tied the game up at 61 apiece, before a pair at the line from Deans gave EMU the lead, 63-61, with 4:19 left. However, the Chips retook the lead, 66-65, with just under two minutes to play. A critical steal by junior Janay Morton (Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Osseo) gave the Eagles an opportunity to retake the lead with 25 seconds left on the clock. With that turnover, the Green and White forced the Chips to their most turnovers so far this season. After a foul against Central, Sweeney was sent to the line with an opportunity to tie or take the lead. However, both shots rattled on the rim and bounced out. After CMU stepped out of bounds, Eastern had one final opportunity to retake the lead. A desperation layup from Baldwin was not enough, however, as the Chips held on for a 66-65 victory.
The Green and White will remain at home for a bout against Western Michigan University, Feb. 6. Tip-off from the Convocation Center on Saturday is set for 2 p.m. The game will be the Play4Kay Pink-Out game.
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Team Stats
CMU
EMU
FG%
.452
.342
3FG%
.316
.235
FT%
.667
.700
RB
52
36
TO
25
7
STL
2
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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