Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 4
Convocation Center
2:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Bowling Green
Return of the #MACtion: Women's Hoops Opens League Play Against Bowling Green
1/2/2020 1:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The game is the first of the team's 18-game conference tilt
| Women's Basketball vs. Bowling Green | |
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 4 | 2:30 p.m. |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Convocation Center |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | Listen | ESPN3 | WEMU (89.1 FM) |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team is back on the court for the first of 18 Mid-American Conference games, beginning with a bout against Bowling Green State University Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Convocation Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to double-dip at the Convo, as the EMU men's hoops team plays host to Akron at 12 p.m.
Eastern (5-6) has notched three consecutive victories for the first time this season after defeating Purdue Fort Wayne, Dec. 10, Illinois-Chicago, Dec. 18, and Detroit Mercy, Dec. 21. Meanwhile, BGSU (7-5) looks to earn consecutive wins after notching a 91-52 victory over Davis & Elkins, Dec. 30.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 with Ryan Wooley calling the play-by-play and Tom Helmer providing analysis. The game can be heard on WEMU (89.1), where Chad Bush will have the call. Fans can also follow live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats, or get live updates from the team's Twitter, @EMUWBB.
BACK IN #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 268-360 record against conference opponents all-time.
RING CHASING: Eastern enters league play in search of its first conference championship since 2012. That year, the Eagles captured both the MAC West and MAC Tournament titles. Overall, EMU has claimed four division crowns (2004, 2006, 2008, 2012) and two tournament championships (2004, 2012).
EMU IN MAC OPENERS: Eastern Michigan opens its 39th Mid-American Conference slate Saturday, Jan. 4, versus BGSU.
The Green and White are 17-21 all-time in league openers dating back to 1981-82. EMU has won 11 of the last 17 MAC-opening tilts going back to the 2002-03 season, the most recent of which was a 67-56 triumph over eventual MAC Tournament champion Buffalo, Jan. 2, 2016.
PUTTING A LID ON 2019: With its win over Detroit, Dec. 21, Eastern closed out the 2019 portion of its current season with a 5-6 record, which ties for the second-best start (in total wins) to a season under fourth-year head coach Fred Castro. The Eagles best start to a season under Castro came in 2018-19, when the team began 7-4.
THREE STRAIGHT: Eastern's win over UDM, Dec. 21, gave the team three consecutive wins for the first time during the 2019-20 campaign. The Eagles dominated Purdue Fort Wayne, 64-40, Dec. 10, before taking care of the UIC, 68-59, Dec. 18. EMU earned its third win with a 84-70 handling of the Titans. The streak is the team's best since the 2018-19 campaign when it posted three consecutive wins between Dec. 5-15, notching wins over Detroit Mercy, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Longwood.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL: Eastern's ability to protect the ball has certainly contributed to its three consecutive victories. EMU has forced 66 turnovers during that stretch, while only relinquishing possession on 44 occasions.
FIVE-FOR-FIVE: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the five games she has played this season. The Oklahoma City native has scored in double-figures in each contest, dropping a season-best 29 points against Binghamton, Dec. 1. In all, Combs is averaging a team-best 18.4 points per game, an average that only two players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
In her most recent contest, against Detroit, Dec. 21, Combs put up 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while dishing out a career-best seven assists.
CAN'T STOP KIARA: Sophomore forward Kiara Johnson authored a season-best performance against Detroit Mercy, Dec. 21. The Buffalo, N.Y.-native scored 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while adding three blocks and four rebounds. Her seven field goals and three blocks are career-best marks, while her 14 points were one shy of her 15-point effort against Western Michigan, Jan. 12, 2019.
DISHIN' THE ROCK: EMU racked-up 24 assists against Detroit, Dec. 21. Areanna Combs and Corrione Cardwell each dished out seven helpers, while Jenna Annecchiarico added six. The 24 dimes are the second-most by the Eagles this season, one shy of their 25 against Olivet, Nov. 8. The team is averaging 11.9 assists per game this season.
HELPING HAND: Freshman Jenna Annecchiarico has embraced the role of floor general to the tune of 3.8 assists per game, the eight-best mark in the MAC. Additionally, her 1.4 assist to turnover ratio is good for seventh in the league.
GETTING IT DONE ON D: Eastern Michigan's high intensity defense has caused opponents fits this season as the Eagles have forced the opposition into 15+ turnovers eight times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in four of their 11 games, including each of their last three. EMU's 18.4 forced turnovers per game are the fifth-most in the MAC
NOT SO CHARITABLE: Free throws have been anything but free for the Eagles this season. The Green and White connect on just 56.8 percent of its shots from the charity stripe and boast the worst FT percentage in the league.
ALL-TIME AGAINST BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons have been the dominant team in this battle of the birds, holding a 50-18 lead in the all-time series between EMU and BGSU. The last half-decade has been good to the Green and White, however, as Eastern has claimed victory in four of the last five matchups, including the last three. Prior to the 2015 season, EMU had lost 12 consecutive games against the Falcons, dating back to 2005.
LAST TIME AGAINST BG: Freshman Jenna Annecchiarico's career-best effort led Eastern to an 81-74 win over BGSU at the Convo, Jan. 23, 2019. The Eagles overcame a 10-point deficit early to pick up their third straight win over the Falcons.
Annecchiarico produced a career night racking up 26 points, including an 18-point first half. The Baldwin, N.Y. native went 8-of-13 from the floor, highlighted by six three-pointers, while also adding four rebounds and four assists. Freshman Kiara Johnson completed a stellar night with the first double-double of her career. Johnson grabbed a team-best and career-high 12 rebounds to go along with 12 points. Sophomore Courtnie Lewis and redshirt sophomore Corrione Cardwell also finished in double figures, adding 17 and 15 points, respectively.
EMU finished the night with 27 points off turnovers, to BGSU's nine and outscored the Falcons' bench 29-8, but Bowling Green outscored Eastern 12-2 in transition.
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.
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, America East Conference, American Athletic Conference, and the Summit League.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern continues MAC play with a pair of road games at Kent State, Jan. 8, and Ball State, Jan. 11. The games are set to tip at 7 p.m., and 1 p.m., respectively.
Eastern (5-6) has notched three consecutive victories for the first time this season after defeating Purdue Fort Wayne, Dec. 10, Illinois-Chicago, Dec. 18, and Detroit Mercy, Dec. 21. Meanwhile, BGSU (7-5) looks to earn consecutive wins after notching a 91-52 victory over Davis & Elkins, Dec. 30.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 with Ryan Wooley calling the play-by-play and Tom Helmer providing analysis. The game can be heard on WEMU (89.1), where Chad Bush will have the call. Fans can also follow live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats, or get live updates from the team's Twitter, @EMUWBB.
BACK IN #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 268-360 record against conference opponents all-time.
RING CHASING: Eastern enters league play in search of its first conference championship since 2012. That year, the Eagles captured both the MAC West and MAC Tournament titles. Overall, EMU has claimed four division crowns (2004, 2006, 2008, 2012) and two tournament championships (2004, 2012).
EMU IN MAC OPENERS: Eastern Michigan opens its 39th Mid-American Conference slate Saturday, Jan. 4, versus BGSU.
The Green and White are 17-21 all-time in league openers dating back to 1981-82. EMU has won 11 of the last 17 MAC-opening tilts going back to the 2002-03 season, the most recent of which was a 67-56 triumph over eventual MAC Tournament champion Buffalo, Jan. 2, 2016.
PUTTING A LID ON 2019: With its win over Detroit, Dec. 21, Eastern closed out the 2019 portion of its current season with a 5-6 record, which ties for the second-best start (in total wins) to a season under fourth-year head coach Fred Castro. The Eagles best start to a season under Castro came in 2018-19, when the team began 7-4.
THREE STRAIGHT: Eastern's win over UDM, Dec. 21, gave the team three consecutive wins for the first time during the 2019-20 campaign. The Eagles dominated Purdue Fort Wayne, 64-40, Dec. 10, before taking care of the UIC, 68-59, Dec. 18. EMU earned its third win with a 84-70 handling of the Titans. The streak is the team's best since the 2018-19 campaign when it posted three consecutive wins between Dec. 5-15, notching wins over Detroit Mercy, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Longwood.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL: Eastern's ability to protect the ball has certainly contributed to its three consecutive victories. EMU has forced 66 turnovers during that stretch, while only relinquishing possession on 44 occasions.
FIVE-FOR-FIVE: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the five games she has played this season. The Oklahoma City native has scored in double-figures in each contest, dropping a season-best 29 points against Binghamton, Dec. 1. In all, Combs is averaging a team-best 18.4 points per game, an average that only two players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
In her most recent contest, against Detroit, Dec. 21, Combs put up 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while dishing out a career-best seven assists.
CAN'T STOP KIARA: Sophomore forward Kiara Johnson authored a season-best performance against Detroit Mercy, Dec. 21. The Buffalo, N.Y.-native scored 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while adding three blocks and four rebounds. Her seven field goals and three blocks are career-best marks, while her 14 points were one shy of her 15-point effort against Western Michigan, Jan. 12, 2019.
DISHIN' THE ROCK: EMU racked-up 24 assists against Detroit, Dec. 21. Areanna Combs and Corrione Cardwell each dished out seven helpers, while Jenna Annecchiarico added six. The 24 dimes are the second-most by the Eagles this season, one shy of their 25 against Olivet, Nov. 8. The team is averaging 11.9 assists per game this season.
HELPING HAND: Freshman Jenna Annecchiarico has embraced the role of floor general to the tune of 3.8 assists per game, the eight-best mark in the MAC. Additionally, her 1.4 assist to turnover ratio is good for seventh in the league.
GETTING IT DONE ON D: Eastern Michigan's high intensity defense has caused opponents fits this season as the Eagles have forced the opposition into 15+ turnovers eight times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in four of their 11 games, including each of their last three. EMU's 18.4 forced turnovers per game are the fifth-most in the MAC
NOT SO CHARITABLE: Free throws have been anything but free for the Eagles this season. The Green and White connect on just 56.8 percent of its shots from the charity stripe and boast the worst FT percentage in the league.
ALL-TIME AGAINST BOWLING GREEN: The Falcons have been the dominant team in this battle of the birds, holding a 50-18 lead in the all-time series between EMU and BGSU. The last half-decade has been good to the Green and White, however, as Eastern has claimed victory in four of the last five matchups, including the last three. Prior to the 2015 season, EMU had lost 12 consecutive games against the Falcons, dating back to 2005.
LAST TIME AGAINST BG: Freshman Jenna Annecchiarico's career-best effort led Eastern to an 81-74 win over BGSU at the Convo, Jan. 23, 2019. The Eagles overcame a 10-point deficit early to pick up their third straight win over the Falcons.
Annecchiarico produced a career night racking up 26 points, including an 18-point first half. The Baldwin, N.Y. native went 8-of-13 from the floor, highlighted by six three-pointers, while also adding four rebounds and four assists. Freshman Kiara Johnson completed a stellar night with the first double-double of her career. Johnson grabbed a team-best and career-high 12 rebounds to go along with 12 points. Sophomore Courtnie Lewis and redshirt sophomore Corrione Cardwell also finished in double figures, adding 17 and 15 points, respectively.
EMU finished the night with 27 points off turnovers, to BGSU's nine and outscored the Falcons' bench 29-8, but Bowling Green outscored Eastern 12-2 in transition.
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.
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, America East Conference, American Athletic Conference, and the Summit League.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern continues MAC play with a pair of road games at Kent State, Jan. 8, and Ball State, Jan. 11. The games are set to tip at 7 p.m., and 1 p.m., respectively.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballHad a blast at our homecoming tailgate!
Monday, September 22
Women's Basketball Practice Highlights Week of Aug. 4, 2025
Sunday, August 10
Inaugural Bowling with the Eagles Event
Friday, August 08
Women's Basketball Practice Highlights Week of July 28, 2025
Friday, August 08