Eastern Michigan Looks to Zip Up Akron Saturday

Women's Basketball at Akron
Date	Saturday, Jan. 28 \| 5 p.m.
Venue	Akron, Ohio \| James A. Rhodes Arena (5,000)
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Fan Stats
Watch	ESPN3
Listen	All-Access \| Mobile Apps: iPhone or Android
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.2282 \| Clear Bag Policy

AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- Looking to build off of a thrilling 81-74 overtime win, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team hits the road for a quick trip to Akron, Ohio, Saturday, Jan. 28, for a 5 p.m. clash with the University of Akron at James A. Rhodes Arena.
    EMU enters the weekend with a 6-14 record (1-7 MAC) after a come-from-behind overtime win against Bowling Green State University, Jan. 25. On the other side of the court, UA will return to the court for the first time since a 73-57 setback at the hands of Western Michigan University, Jan. 21, that saw the Zips record drop to 8-10 (1-6 MAC).
   Greg Steiner will have the call on Eagle All-Access, which is available at EMUEagles.com/showcase or on the new EMU Eagles mobile app on iPhone or Android. The game will also be shown on ESPN3 as part of the campus connection initiative.

OFFENSE FINDS ITS STRIDE: Eastern not only turned in one of its most balanced offensive performances of the season against Bowling Green, but it was also one of the Eagles' most efficient showings. Seven different players scored as the Green and White connected on 43.8 percent (28-of-64) of its shots, its second-highest field goal percentage of the season. Eastern Michigan's efficiency paid off in its highest point total of the season, as EMU scored 81 to top BGSU.

COMEBACK KIDS: The Eagles posted their largest comeback of the season in a thrilling 81-74 overtime win over Bowling Green, Jan. 25. EMU trailed by as many as nine in the contest, before coming back to clip the Falcons in OT.

WOO WOO: Freshman Nailah "Woo" Mitchell was electric for EMU in its win over BGSU, Jan. 25. The Shaker Heights, Ohio native poured in a career-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, highlighted by a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the third quarter. Playing a career-high 41 minutes, Mitchell added four rebounds, one assist, and a steal in a career day for the freshman guard.

A WINS, A WIN: Eastern trailed by as many as nine in its win over Bowling Green, despite outshooting the Falcons 43.8 to 32.9 percent, as a season-high 23 turnovers led way for 14 points off EMU's miscues for BGSU. The Eagles' 81-74 win marked the first time since EMU defeated Weber State, 57-42, Nov. 29, 2014, that the Green and White had won a game despite committing more than 20 turnovers.

FEW AND FAR BETWEEN: Wednesdays' win over Bowling Green was just the Eagles' second victory against the Falcons in the past 12 years. In fact, Fred Castro has now tied Tory Verdi, AnnMarie Gilbert, and Shane Clipfell's combined total for wins against the MAC East foe. Verdi's 2014-15 squad topped BGSU, 64-52, in the Convocation Center, Jan. 17, 2015. Longtime EMU bench boss Suzy Merchant had the most success against the Falcons, picking up eight wins versus Bowling Green during her tenure, including a run of five straight from 2003-05.

AGAINST AKRON ALL-TIME: Saturday's meeting between the Eagles and the Zips marks the 38th meeting between the squads all-time. Akron holds the upper hand in the series, 22-15, including coming out victorious in last season's meeting in the Buckeye State.
    A year ago, the Zips registered a 75-72 home triumph against the Eagles on Jan. 30, 2016, to sweep the season series. Eastern led by as many as 12 in the contest, but Akron outscored EMU by 11, 21-10, in the third quarter to upend the Green and White. The Eagles went just 25-of-65 from the floor, while the Zips converted 50 percent of their shots from the field.

LAST WIN IN AKRON: EMU has not tasted victory at James A. Rhodes Arena since Jan. 22, 2011. Six consecutive free throws by Tavelyn James over the final 40 seconds sealed Eastern Michigan's 56-51 victory over Akron. James led the Eagles with 17 points on 4-of-11 shooting to go along with 12 points from Sydney Huntley. Cassie Schrock also chipped in 10 points on the afternoon, going 8-for-14 at the free throw stripe. Rachel Tecca paced Akron with 19 points to go along with 18 rebounds in a losing effort. No other Zip reached double figures in points, as they shot just 31 percent (15-of-51) for the contest and 1-of-16 from the long line.

CAREER-HIGHS ALL AROUND: The Green and White filled up the stat sheet with a number of career-highs in a come-from-behind overtime win over Bowling Green, Jan. 25. Junior Micah Robinson tied a career-best with six assists, while fellow junior Tori Easley grabbed a personal-best 12 rebounds. Freshman Nailah Mitchell pitched in a career-high 15 points and tied her personal-high with four rebounds. Finally, freshman Jayla Russ added a career-high five boards.

TURNING POINT: Coming into Wednesday night's game against Bowling Green, some may have thought there was a lid on the Eagles' baskets. Through its first seven league games, EMU had converted just 26.7 percent (27-of-101) of its field goal attempts in the second period, including just 3-of-36 from three-point range. Meanwhile, EMU connected on 31.5 percent (34-of-108) in the third quarter, ultimately allowing opponents to outscore the Eagles 268-167. That all changed versus BGSU, as EMU combined to go 16-of-29, good for a 55.2 field goal percentage over the course of the second and third periods.

BENCH COMES THROUGH: With a short bench to begin with, EMU's reserves combined for their highest point total since Nov. 25, 2016 against Bowling Green, Jan. 25. The Eagles benefited from 17 points off the bench, its most since a 20-point showing in a loss to Tulane at the UTSA Thanksgiving Classic.

STEPPING UP: Eastern Michigan knew prior to its game versus Bowling Green, Jan. 25, it would be without the services of both Sasha Dailey and Esabelle Levine due to injury, forcing the Eagles to rely heavily on a short bench with limited experience. With Sheyna Deans and Phillis Webb fouled out of the game as the teams went to overtime, Head Coach Fred Castro turned to juniors Micah Robinson and Tori Easley, as well as freshmen Jayla Russ, Nailah Mitchell, and Becca Turney to finish the task at hand. Despite going just 1-of-5 from the floor, the Eagles attacked the Falcons, drawing 18 free throws. Paired with a defense that held the Falcons to 2-of-12 from the floor in extra time, EMU converted 14 FT's to secure the , 81-74, victory.

OUTLASTING THE FALCONS IN OVERTIME: For the 39th time in program history, the Eagles needed overtime to settle a contest. A pair of Bowling Green free throws late in regulation, Jan. 21, leveled the score at 65 to force overtime. EMU outlasted BGSU, 81-74, improving to 21-18 all-time in overtime games.

APPROACHING RARE AIR: Senior Phillis Webb is nearing 1,000 points and 700 rebounds in her career, which would make her just the seventh player in program history to register the feat. Webb, who still needs 59 points and 20 rebounds, would join Nikki Knapp (1,511 pts./802 reb.), Stephanie Smiley (1,401 pts./785 reb.), Paige Redditt (1,001 pts./781 reb.), Sarah VanMetre (1,3611 pts./770 reb.), Cassie Schrock (1,506 pts./761 reb.), and Ryan Coleman (1,793 pts./747 reb.) in the group.

OUTSHOOTING THE OPPOSITION: For the second time since conference play began, the Eagles posted a better field goal percentage than its opposition, Jan. 25, against Bowling Green.   Additionally, it was the Eagles' best offensive performance since the season opener versus Georgia State, Nov. 12. Eastern Michigan finished the day 28-of-64 from the field, good for a 43.8 field goal percentage.

NO NEED FOR WINDEX, THE EAGLES CLEANED UP THE GLASS: The Eagles grabbed 53 rebounds against Bowling Green, Jan. 25, marking the fifth 51-or-more rebounding effort for the Green and White this season. EMU grabbed a season-high 57 against Morehead State, Nov. 13, and fell one short of that mark, Nov. 16, versus Ferris State. In addition to posting consecutive 55+ rebound efforts for the first time in more than 20 years, the Eagles have recorded the most 51+ rebounding showings since 2014-15, when EMU accomplished the task six times.

HOME COOKING: The Eagles are nearly five points a game better at home than on the road, averaging 67.1 ppg inside the Convocation Center while shooting 37.1 percent from the field. The Eagles have also benefited from an average of 17.4 points off turnovers on its home floor, compared to just 12.2 in away venues.

EMU WORKHORSE: Coming into the season, junior Micah Robinson had played a total of 378 minutes over 50 games in the first two seasons of her collegiate career, averaging just 7.5 minutes per contest. This season, Robinson has been one of the most utilized players in the country. The Ann Arbor product has played 742 minutes, the most of any player in the conference and the 12th-most in the country. Additionally, Robinson's 37.1 minutes per game average ranks 12thnationally.

GETTING BETTER WITH AGE: Seniors Phillis Webb and Sheyna Deans have been bright spots for the Eagles over the past five games, combining for 160 of EMU's 309 points. Making up 51.8 percent of Eastern's scoring over that span, the senior duo has also paced the Eagles on the glass. Webb and Deans average 8.8 and 7.4 rebounds per game, respectively, the top two marks on the team over the span.

D'ING UP THE BOBCATS: Eastern Michigan's defense held Ohio to just 38.1 percent (24-of-63) shooting at the Convocation Center, Jan. 21. The total was the second-worst for the Bobcats in Mid-American Conference play, while it was the ninth-time this season that EMU's defense had limited an opponent to under 40 percent shooting.

CLIMBING THE RANKS: Senior Phillis Webb came into her final season ranked 21st in Eastern Michigan history with 509 rebounds. This season, Webb has grabbed 171 boards, moving her into 10th-place with 680 caroms. Nikki Knapp holds the program record with 802 career rebounds, while Webb is three boards behind Kristin Staples for ninth-place on the all-time list.

SHEYNA'S STRETCH: Senior Sheyna Deans has been one of the most consistent Eagles over the past five games. The Detroit native is averaging a team-high -- points per game, and has turned in a pair of 20-point performances for the first time in her career. Deans poured in a career-high 21 points in EMU's heartbreaking loss to Western Michigan, Jan. 14, and led the Eagles with 20 points against Ball State, Jan. 18. Deans is not just making buckets, she's doing so at an efficient rate. Over the four-game span, she has converted 41.7 percent (30-of-72) of her shots from the field. Deans has also added 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game to round out her stat line.

WEBB WORKING TOWARDS 1,000 POINT MARK: Senior Phillis Webb stands 59 points short of the 1,000-point mark in her final season donning the Green and White. If Webb eclipses four-digits, she will become the 21st player in program history to score at least 1,000 points during their career.

SLOW START TO CONFERENCE PLAY: Eastern Michigan's defense has been giving up an average of 75.9 points per game, while the offense is managing just 59.6 points a contest. Since beginning MAC play, one of the team's biggest challenges has been at the free throw line, as the Eagles are shooting just 60.3 percent (79-of-131).

SUCCESS STEMS FROM WINNING THE REBOUNDING BATTLE: Winning the rebounding battle has proven to be a true-tale sign of Eastern Michigan's ability to win this season. In their six wins, the Eagles have out-rebounded opponents by 5.3 boards per game. In fact, EMU averages 47.3 rebounds per game compared to opponents' 41.8 boards per contest average in its six wins. Conversely, in its 14 losses, the Eagles average nearly seven rebounds less per game (39.6), while the opposition's per game average jumps to 45.9, making the Eagles -6.2 on the glass in losses.
   EMU's ability to rebound and control the glass has had an impact on the squad's ability to score this season. Eastern Michigan averages 67.8 points per game when winning the rebound battle, compared to 59.7 points per contest when it is out-rebounded.

ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles get a much deserved break from action after traveling to Akron, Jan. 28, before returning to the hardwood at home, Feb. 4, for a MAC West clash with in-state rival Central Michigan. The game from the Convocation Center is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Sasha Dailey

Sheyna Deans

Tori Easley

Esabelle Levine

Nailah Mitchell

Micah Robinson

Jayla Russ

Becca Turney

Phillis Webb

Eastern Michigan Athletics