Eagles Travel to DeKalb for MAC West Tilt Versus Huskies

Women's Basketball at Northern Illinois
Date	Saturday, Jan. 20 \| 2 p.m.
Venue	DeKalb, Ill. \| Convocation Center (10,000)
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	E SPN3
Listen	N/A
Twitter	@EMUW BB \| @EMUAthletics

DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) - Following a thrilling overtime win over an in-state rival, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team makes the trek to DeKalb, Ill. Saturday, Jan. 20, for a date with the Huskies of Northern Illinois University. The Mid-American Conference West Division tilt is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT inside NIU's Convocation Center.
   Eastern Michigan looks to keep things rolling after winning its second straight MAC game with a, 69-67, overtime victory against Western Michigan, Jan. 17. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois was handed its third loss in-a-row by Central Michigan, 81-78, Jan. 17, in DeKalb.
   The game will be broadcast on ESPN3. Fans can also follow via Twitter through the team's account, @EMUWBB.

IT'S BEEN AWHILE: With a third of the conference season in the books, the Eagles have pieced together a 4-2 record, its best start to league play since the 2011-12 campaign. That season, the Green and White opened the MAC slate 4-2 en route to tying for the MAC West title and NCAA Tournament berth.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!: Eastern Michigan moved to 22-18 in overtime games all-time, and 2-0 under Fred Castro, with its, 69-67, win over Western Michigan, Jan. 17. The game marked EMU's first extra time game this season, as well as its first since besting Bowling Green, 81-74, Jan. 25, 2017. Additionally, it was the Eagles' fourth straight OT win.

WAIT, IT'S ONLY HALFTIME?: Danielle Minott's first-half performance versus Western Michigan, Jan. 17, was one for the ages. The Miami, Fla. native tied her career-high with 21 points in the first 20 minutes of play. Her 21-point showing marked the first time an Eagle recorded 20-or-more points in the opening half since former EMU great Tavelyn James dropped 22 points on Ball State, Feb. 25, 2012.

DEE'S BUCKETS: Coming off a career game, Danielle Minott took things up a notch against Western Michigan, Jan. 17. Minott erupted for a career-best 29 points, 21 of which came in the first half, on 9-of-20 shooting, including a 6-of-11 showing from long range. Scoring wasn't her only contribution however, as the Miami, Fla. product added seven rebounds, three steals, and an assist to the box score.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE'S AREN'T JUST AT TIM HORTON'S: Redshirt junior Emoni Jackson became the first Eagle this season to record a double-double, tying a career-high with 13 points and adding a career-best 15 rebounds in EMU's, 69-67, OT win over WMU, Jan. 17. Jackson's 15 boards were also the most by an Eagle this year, and the first 15+ rebounding performance for EMU since Phillis Webb grabbed 17 against Air Force, Dec. 21, 2016.

CORNER THREE: The Green and White were locked in from beyond the arc, especially on the baseline, against Western Michigan Wednesday, Jan. 17. The Eagles knocked down a season-high nine triples, most of which were of the corner three variety. Over the last two games, EMU is shooting 48.5 percent from three-point range (16-of-33).
   Redshirt junior Danielle Minott led the three-ball assault, sinking a career-best six triples in EMU's thrilling win over WMU. It marked the most three-pointers by an Eagle since Sasha Dailey converted seven triples against Incarnate Word, Nov. 29, 2016.

MAKIN 'EM EARN IT: Eastern Michigan's defense was stout in the second half against Western Michigan, Jan. 17, as EMU held WMU to just eight field goals over the final 25 minutes of play. Eastern's defensive play forced Western to earn its points at the free throw line, where the Broncos made 14-of-19 attempts.

TRENDING UP: Since the Eagles have turned their attention to Mid-American Conference play they have been one of the top defenses in the league. In conference games, EMU is giving up just 63.0 points per contest, the best in the league and more than a point better than second-ranked Toledo (64.2 ppg). The Green and White also rank second in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to a 37.9 percent clip, and tied for third with 9.8 steals per game.

HITTING THE HARDWOOD WITH THE HUSKIES: Saturday's meeting between Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois will be the 49th meeting all-time. EMU holds the edge, leading the series 34-14, but NIU swept last season's meetings.
   The Huskies knocked off the Eagles, 85-73, in a New Years Eve battle to open conference play in DeKalb, Dec. 31, 2016, before NIU topped EMU, 81-71, inside the Convocation Center, Feb. 25, 2017.

SWEET CHARITY: A key to Eastern Michigan's ability to win close games this season has been how the Green and White perform at the free throw line. In its eight victories EMU is shooting 67.6 percent (100-of-148), while Eastern is converting just 61.2 percent (93-of-152) of its attempts from the stripe in losses.

CREATING SECOND CHANCES: The Green and White have dominated the offensive glass, racking up 277 offensive rebounds. EMU's 16.1 offensive rebounds per game ranks first in the MAC and 18th nationally, while leading to 222 points or 20.0 percent of Eastern's scoring this season.

OFF TO THE RACES: Eastern Michigan has been dominant in transition through 17 games, outscoring the opposition, 211-76, in fast break points. Offensively, the Green and White average 12.4 transition points per game, while giving up just an average of 4.5 points per contest. For the season, EMU is 5-4 when scoring 10+ fast break points.

SHARING IS CARING: EMU's ability to distribute the ball has been a true-tale sign of its success offensively this season. Eastern has racked up 10-or-more assists in 10 games this year and has averaged 69.3 points in those contests. On the flip side, the Eagles score 10 points less (59.3 ppg) when finishing with a single digit assist total.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan stops back at the Convocation Center Wednesday, Jan. 24, to take on Miami University, before heading east to Buffalo, N.Y. for a Saturday, Jan. 27, showdown with the University at Buffalo. Tipoff of the second meeting of the season between EMU and MU is set for 7 p.m. inside the Convo.

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Players Mentioned

Sasha Dailey

Emoni Jackson

Danielle Minott

Eastern Michigan Athletics