Eagles Return Home for Wednesday Date with Detroit Mercy

Women's Basketball vs. Detroit Mercy
Date	Wednesday, Dec. 5 \| 7 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center (8,784)
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Listen	WEMU 89.1 FM
Twitter	@EMU WBB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.3669

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns to the Convocation Center Wednesday, Dec. 5, for a 7 p.m. clash with in-state rival the University of Detroit Mercy. In celebration of the season of giving, fans will receive free admission in exchange for a new or gently-used book as part of the EMU women's basketball team's book drive for kids in the community.
Eastern Michigan enters the clash 3-2 on the season, and was most recently ousted in overtime at the University of Illinois, 72-66, Dec. 1. Meanwhile, Detroit Mercy hopes to bounce back from a, 51-42, home loss to the University of Nebraska Omaha, Nov. 29.
Fans unable to attend the game can catch the action on ESPN+ where Ryan Wooley will call the action on the court alongside analyst Kyler Ludlow. Chad Bush will also be broadcast on WEMU 89.1 FM. Additionally, the game will be live streamed from the team's Twitter account, @EMUWBB.

HELPING HAND: Freshman Jenna Annecchiarico has shown why she came in as such a highly touted recruit through her first few games as an Eagle. In fact, Annecchiarico has embraced the role of floor general to the tune of 4.4 assists per game, the sixth-best mark in the MAC. Moreover, the Baldwin, N.Y. native has turned the ball over just five times, making her one of the top point guards in the conference. Annecchiarico leads the conference, while ranking fifth nationally, with a 4.4 assist to turnover ratio. She is the only freshman to boast an assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.9-or-better, and is the only freshman in the top-30 of the NCAA.

ALL OVER THE BOARDS: Danielle Minott has been a beast on the boards for the Eagles this season, pulling down a team-best 8.0 caroms a contest. In fact, Minott ranks second in the conference and 29th nationally with 8.0 defensive rebounds per game. She is one of five guards in the country to be slotted inside the top-30, while at 5-foot-8 she is the shortest player ranked.

HERE YA GO: Freshman Jenna Annecchiarico nearly recorded the first double-double of her career at Illinois, Dec. 1, registering career-highs in points (9) and assists (7). Annecchiarico's seven dimes were the most by an Eagle this season, tying Danielle Minott's mark against Cleveland State, Nov. 9. Furthermore, her seven dimes are the most by a true freshman since Cha Sweeney tallied nine against Illinois-Chicago in the second round of the Women's Basketball Invitational, March 24, 2014.

MINOTT GOES OFF: After scoring four points in the first half at Illinois, Dec. 1, Danielle Minott dropped 25 in the second half and overtime en route to her season-high 29-point performance. For the game, Minott went 10-of-28 from the field, with five of her makes coming from beyond the arc, to go along with a team-high 10 rebounds. Her 29-point, 10-rebound double-double was the second of her career, as well as the first by an Eagle this season.

FOR THREEEEEEEEE!: Eastern Michigan knocked down a season-best 11 three-points in its overtime setback at Illinois, Dec. 1. Not only was it the first time the Eagles converted double-digit threes, but their 11 triples were the most since hitting 11 at Toledo, Feb. 21, 2018. Additionally, Eastern only accomplished the feat twice all of last year.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!: Eastern Michigan's comeback bid fell short, 72-66, in overtime at Illinois, Dec. 1. It was EMU's first overtime game of the season, as well as its first since an OT loss at Buffalo, Jan. 27, 2018. With the setback, Eastern fell to 22-20 in overtime games all-time.

BATTLING THE TITANS: Detroit Mercy and Eastern Michigan have squared off 27 times since the 1976-77 campaign, including in each of the past 12 seasons. The Titans hold the 15-12 edge in the all-time series, while the Eagles have controlled the rivalry as of late, winning four of the last five meetings. Most recently, the Green and White overcame a 13-point deficit to upend Detroit Mercy, 78-76. Micah Robinson led all Eagles with 19 points, while Sasha Dailey and Danielle Minott added 18 and 13, respectively.

FACING IN-STATE FOES: The Titans are one of four opponents on the Eagles' 2018-19 schedule that call Michigan home. Eastern Michigan has thrived against in-state competition over the years, compiling a 156-146 advantage over in-state opponents. The Eagles have been most successful against Western Michigan, piecing together a 48-36 mark versus the Broncos. Meanwhile, Michigan State has been the toughest opponent for EMU, leading the all-time series 15-1 over the Eagles.

AGAINST THE HORIZON: EMU owns a 55-43 record against current Horizon League foes, including 2-0 this season. Eastern opened the year with a 69-63 win over Cleveland State and bested UIC, 52-38, in its last home game. Home to UDM and nine other institutions, the Eagles have battled all but one of the members of the Indianapolis, Ind.-based conference.
Given the proximity, it comes as no surprise that EMU has squared off against Detroit Mercy more than any other Horizon League opponent, with 27 meetings taking place between the two all-time. While Eastern trails in the all-time series, 15-12, against Detroit Mercy, EMU holds the upperhand versus Cleveland State (12-5), Illinois-Chicago (9-4), Valparaiso (5-3), Wright State (6-0), and Youngstown State (4-2). The Green and White sit level with Oakland (7-7) and Milwaukee (2-2) all-time, and are winless in the all-time series against Green Bay (0-5).

GETTING AFTER IT ON DEFENSE: Eastern Michigan's high intensity defense has caused opponents fits this season as the Eagles have forced the opposition into 20+ turnovers three times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in three of their five games. EMU's 9.6 steals per game are the third-most in the MAC, as well as the 83rd-best nationally. Meanwhile, Eastern is turning opponents over 21.0 times per game, the third-highest mark in the conference and the 47th-best in the country.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan kicks off a four-game roadtrip Saturday, Dec. 8, when EMU travels to Fort Wayne, Ind. for a clash with Purdue Fort Wayne. Tipoff between the Eagles and Mastodons is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Annecchiarico

Sasha Dailey

Danielle Minott

Micah Robinson

Eastern Michigan Athletics