Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
10-11 (3-7MAC)
Toledo
(7-314-7 MAC)
Hudson's Double-Double Not Enough for EMU to Keep Pace at Toledo
2/9/2019 4:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Autumn Hudson picked up the first double-double of her career in the loss
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team could not keep pace with an efficient offensive effort by the University of Toledo Saturday afternoon, Feb. 9, inside Savage Arena. Eastern (10-11, 3-7 MAC) shot just 27.7 percent from the floor, while Toledo (14-7, 6-3 MAC) converted 46.3 percent of its shots to top EMU, 63-43.
The Rockets' shooting edge extended to three-point range, as UT knocked down 7-of-18 triples, while EMU went just 2-of-16 from distance. Meanwhile, Eastern held the advantage in the paint, 32-24.
Sophomore Autumn Hudson (Richwood, Ohio-North Union) recorded the first double-double of her career to pace Eastern. Hudson tied a career-best with 12 rebounds, while also adding 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting. With her 12 caroms, Hudson is the first Eagle since Emoni Jackson to record three straight double-digit rebounding efforts. Jackson accomplished the feat Jan. 17-24, 2018, grabbing 15 against Western Michigan, 14 at Northern Illinois, and 13 versus Miami.
Also finishing in double figures was redshirt senior Danielle Minott (Miami, Fla.-Miami Country Day (Syracuse)), who scored a team-high 12 points.
The first period was all defense as neither team shot better than 29 percent from the floor. EMU went just 3-for-20 in the opening frame, while UT knocked down 4-of-14 shots to overcome three early turnovers. A three-pointer off an offensive rebound at the buzzer gave Toledo a slim, 9-6, edge after 10 minutes.
A three-minute EMU scoring drought paired with a 6-0 run by Toledo saw the Rockets jolt ahead by nine, 17-8, four minutes into the second quarter. Following a timeout, Eastern fought back within six behind a pair of steals. After freshman Jenna Annecchiarico (Baldwin, N.Y.-Baldwin) hit a step-back jumper, Minott drained a triple off the handoff by freshman Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson) to trim the Rockets' edge to 22-16, but ultimately UT carried a 27-18 advantage into the break.
And-ones and timely triples proved to be the difference out of halftime as Toledo answered with play after to play to thwart Eastern's comeback attempts. Despite the Rockets' best efforts to silence the Eagles, the Annecchiarico-Hudson connection was alive and well, keeping EMU within striking distance. Annecchiarico slipped a pass to Hudson, who finished the and-one at the charity stripe, before connecting again just before the buzzer to pull within 11, 46-35, with one quarter to go.
Toledo's momentum carried over into the final stanza, as Eastern got no closer than 10 before falling, 63-43.
Eastern Michigan begins a three-game homestead Wednesday, Feb. 13, against Kent State University. A rematch of the conference opener, EMU looks to avenge an early season loss to KSU. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
