Women's Hoops Opens 2019-20 Campaign With Trip to Michigan State

Women's Basketball at Michigan State
Date	Tuesday, Nov. 5 \| 7 p.m.
Venue	East Lansing, Mich. \| Breslin Center (15,000)
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	B TN+
Listen	WEMU 89.1 FM
Twitter	@EMU WBB \| @EMUAthletics

EAST LANSING, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team begins the 2019-20 season Tuesday night, Nov. 5, against Michigan State University at the Breslin Center. Tipoff between the Eagles and Spartans is slated for 7 p.m.
Fans unable to attend the game can catch the action on BTN+, however a purchased subscription is required. The game will also be aired on WEMU (89.1 FM) with veteran broadcaster Chad Bush on the call.
   Eastern Michigan men's and women's basketball season tickets are now available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

SEASON OPENERS: In 43 seasons, the Green and White have compiled a 30-13 record in season openers. In fact, the Eagles have won eight consecutive lid lifters dating back to the 2008-09 season. Most recently, Eastern topped Cleveland State, 69-63, to begin the 2018-19 campaign. Courtnie Lewis turned in an 20-point effort, while Corrione Cardwell added 14 points and four swipes.

STARTING ON THE ROAD: Tuesday's opener marks just the second time in the last seven seasons that the Eagles have opened their season away from home. Last time Fred Castro's squad began the season on the road, it cruised to a 69-59 win over Georgia State in Morehead, Ky., Nov. 12, 2016.
   In Castro's first three years at the helm of the program, his teams have outscored its opponents, 221-183, in season-opening bouts.

CARDWELL REELS IN PRESEASON HONORS: Redshirt junior Corrione Cardwell was named to the All-Mid-American Conference West Division Preseason team following an outstanding 2018-19 season. She is the second Eagle to be tabbed Preseason All-MAC West in as many years, after Danielle Minott earned the honor a season ago.
   A versatile guard, Cardwell paced the Eagles with 68 steals a season ago, while setting career-bests in points (402), points per game (13.0), field goals made (153), field goal percentage (43.2), three-pointers made (17), free throws made (79), rebounds (130), assists (83), and steals (68).

VETERAN STATUS: Although the 2019-20 women's hoops roster lists no seniors, the squad returns 11 players from a season ago, including a large cast of past contributors. Redshirt junior Corrion Cardwell, along with 2018-19 team assist leader, sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico, and 2018-19 team rebounding leader Autumn Hudson highlight the returning cast.

REBOUNDING RETURNS: The Eagles grabbed 1,196 rebounds in 2018-19, and four of the team's top-five rebounders from a season ago return to the court this year. Last season, it was Autumn Hudson who paced the Eagles on the glass, hauling in 173 total boards (6.0 rpg) for the year.
   Additionally, Eastern returns 71 percent of its offensive rebounding production from a season ago.

ALL-TIME AGAINST MICHIGAN STATE: The all-time series has been dominated by Michigan State, winning 15 of the 16 meetings dating back to a 66-46 victory at Bowen Field House, Feb. 1, 1977. The last time the teams met was Nov. 16, 2014, in East Lansing, Mich. when MSU escaped with a 69-61 victory.
   EMU's lone win over MSU came 14 years ago, Dec. 3, 2000, when the then-Suzy Merchant led Eagles defeated the Spartans, 66-59, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.

CLOSE CONNECTIONS: Michigan State Head Coach Suzy Merchant faces off against EMU for the fourth time since departing Ypsilanti following the 2006-07 campaign. During her tenure with the Eagles, Merchant guided EMU to a record of 147-91 (.618), including three 20-win seasons, three postseason appearances and two Mid-American Conference West Division titles. Merchant's 2003-04 Eastern Michigan team claimed the MAC West Division and MAC Tournament championships for the first time in school history, earning the program's first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament en route to a 22-8 record.
   Additionally, MSU assistant coach Kristin Haynie spent two years (2012-14) as an assistant at Eastern Michigan. In her first season on the recruiting trail at Eastern, Haynie helped sign the top recruiting class in the MAC and the 65th-best class in the nation that featured standout guards in Janay Morton and Cha Sweeney.

BATTLING THE B1G: Eastern Michigan is just 13-45 against Big Ten Conference members all-time, dating back to the 1976-77 campaign. EMU has been most successful against Michigan, posting eight wins against its Washtenaw County foe, but still trails in the series, 15-8. Eastern has also registered wins against Michigan State, Northwestern, and Ohio State, and while the Eagles are level with NU all-time, they trail in the series with MSU, 1-15, and OSU, 1-2. Meanwhile, EMU is winless against Illinois (0-4), Indiana (0-2), Maryland (0-1), Minnesota (0-1), and Purdue (0-3).

EMU AGAINST THE POWER SEVEN: Eastern Michigan holds a combined record of 19-75 against the Power Seven conferences - ACC, American, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC. EMU has faced Big Ten Conference opponents most often, compiling a 13-45 record versus the Rosemont, Ill.-based league, while Eastern is 7-8 versus the American and 4-8 against the Big East. EMU has three wins against both the Atlantic Coast Conference (3-13) and Southeastern Conference (3-5). Meanwhile, EMU is winless against the Big 12 (0-6) and Pac-12 (0-5).

LAST POWER SEVEN WIN: Eastern's last win over a Power Seven opponent came in the Convocation Center as Phillis Webb's near-double-double led EMU past Michigan, 64-63, Dec. 23, 2015. Webb led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds.
   The last time EMU knocked off a Power Seven opponent outside of the Convocation Center came on a neutral court against the University of Alabama. The Eagles opened the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas with a 52-43 victory over the Crimson Tide, Nov. 23, 2007.

BIG MOMENT, BIG STAGE: Since 1998-99 the Eagles have posted 11 victories over Power Seven Conference opponents, most recently a 64-63 come-from-behind triumph over Michigan, Dec. 23, 2015. Overall, EMU has played 49 contests against high-majors during that span, posting an 11-38 record.

ALL THE LEAGUES EMU WILL FACE: The Eagles will play teams hailing from eight different Division I conferences this season. In addition to its 18-game Mid-American Conference slate, EMU will face three Horizon League members, two teams from the Big Ten Conference, as well as one opponent from the Missouri Valley Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, American East Conference, American Athletic Conference, and Summit League.

ALL IN THE FAMILE: This year, EMU's coined term, "FamilE," has new meaning, as multiple sets of Eagles have been reunited with former teammates and coaches. Sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes and redshirt junior Areanna Combs, along with assistant Carlos Adamson were all together at Putnam City West in Oklahoma City before arriving in Ypsilanti. Skanes, the newest member of the trio to arrive at EMU comes by way of Florida International University, where she spent her freshman season. Additionally, freshman Constance Chaplin and redshirt sophomore RayJon Harris are back together after spending their prep years at Euclid High School in Euclid, Ohio.

PINEDA'S INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE: Natalia Pineda took part in the FIBA U-19 World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, July 20-28. A member of Team Columbia, Pineda has spent each of the last two summers representing her home country.

ANOTHER YEAR OF #MACtion: The Green and White's 2019-20 campaign marks the 39th season Eastern Michigan will compete as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Having been a member of the Cleveland, Ohio-based league since the 1981-82 campaign, EMU has compiled a 268-359 record against conference opponents all-time.

MAC PRESEASON POLL: Eastern Michigan was picked to finish fourth in the West Division as voted by the league's head coaches, the conference office announced, Oct. 30.

2019-20 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll

East Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Ohio (12 First Place Votes) – 72 points
2. Buffalo – 56
3. Kent State – 50
4. Miami – 32
5. Akron – 28
6. Bowling Green – 14

West Division Predicted Order of Finish
1. Central Michigan (4 First Place Votes) – 60 points
2. Northern Illinois – 59 (4)
3. Toledo – 50 (2)
4. Eastern Michigan – 35 (1)
5. Ball State – 30 (1)
6. Western Michigan - 18

ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles are home for the first time in the 2019-20 season, for a doubleheader with the men's basketball team as it welcomes Siena Heights to the Convocation Center Friday, Nov. 8. The men get underway at 9:45 a.m., with the women hosting Olivet College immediately after.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Women's Hoops Opens 2019-20 Campaign With Trip to Michigan State

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Annecchiarico

Corrione Cardwell

Areanna Combs

RayJon Harris

Autumn Hudson

Courtnie Lewis

Danielle Minott

Natalia Pineda

Ce'Nara Skanes

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