Eagles Set to Spar with Rockets in Women's Hoops Action

Women's Basketball at Toledo
Date	Wednesday, Jan. 29 \| 7 p.m.
Venue	Toledo, Ohio \| John F. Savage Arena
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Twitter	@EMUW BB \| @EMUAthletics

TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- After a quick two-game homestand, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team is back on the road for a Mid-American Conference clash with the University of Toledo, Jan. 29. Tipoff from John F. Savage Arena is slated for 7 p.m.
   Eastern (9-9; 4-3 MAC) looks to stay in the win column after taking care of MAC West foe Northern Illinois, 62-55, Jan. 25. Meanwhile, Toledo (9-8; 4-2 MAC) will try to notch its 10th victory of the season and add to its impressive 4-2 start to conference play.
   The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+, and can be heard on WEMU 89.1 FM, 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.

12-FOR-12: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the 12 games she has played this season. The Oklahoma City native has scored in double-figures in each contest, dropping a career-best 32 points against BGSU, Jan. 4. In all, Combs is averaging a team-best 17.8 points per game, an average that only three players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
   Combs registered her second-career double-double in EMU's outing against CMU, Jan. 22. She scored 19 points and hauled in 11 boards in her effort. She scored 10 points in her most recent game, against NIU, Jan. 25.

FIRST WIN IN THE WEST: Despite owning a 3-3 record in conference play prior to its game against NIU, Jan. 25, EMU was still in search of a win over a MAC West Division opponent in 2020. EMU bested the Huskies, 62-55, to claim such a victory.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE HUDSON TROUBLE: Junior Autumn Hudson was a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor against NIU, Jan. 25. The Richwood, Ohio native scored a team-best 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while hauling in 10 rebounds, also a team-high. Her double-double performance was her second of the season and third of her career. Additionally, the performance marked the first time this season that Hudson registered a block, steal, and assist in the same game.

THANKS FOR ASSISTING: Sophomore guard Jenna Annecchiarico is one of the best in the MAC at dishing the rock. In her most recent performance, against NIU, Jan. 25, she tallied a team-leading five helpers, which marked the second time this season that she racked up five-plus assists in a game. Her 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio is tied for second-best in the league, while her 3.4 assists per game ranks 11th. The Baldwin, N.Y. native leads EMU in both categories.

LEWIS DRAINS A PAIR: Junior guard Courtnie Lewis was efficient from beyond the arc in EMU's win over NIU, Jan. 25. The Belton, Mo. native was a team-best 2-for-3 from downtown. Lewis has now led EMU in single-game three-point makes six times this season, and 31 times during her career.

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 14 times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in five of their 18 games. EMU's 19.3 forced turnovers per game are tied for second-most in the MAC.

WANTED FOR THEFT: Redshirt junior Corrione Cardwell is dynamic on the defensive end of the floor for Eastern Michigan. Her 33 total steals lead all Eagles this season, and ranks sixth in the Mid-American Conference. Cardwell is averaging 2.1 steals per contest through her 16 games-played this season.

11 STRAIGHT WITH A STEAL: Sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico has been nearly automatic when it comes to swiping the ball. The Baldwin, N.Y. native has recorded at least one steal in each of the Eagles' last 11 contests, dating back to Dec. 7, at Wichita State. She is second on the team with 32 steals (1.8 spg).

CRASH THE BOARDS: EMU front man Fred Castro preaches the importance of rebounding, and for good reason. The Eagles have out-rebounded opponents six times during the 2019-20 season. Their record in those games: 5-1.

LINE OR DIE: Free throws are a crucial ingredient for winning basketball games. When Eastern has more free throw attempts than its opponents, it is a perfect 7-0 on the season. When it has less attempts, the Eagles are just 2-9.

CLOSE COMPETITION: Just 49 miles separate the Convocation Center, EMU's home venue, and John. F. Savage Arena, which houses the Rockets. The close proximity makes Toledo Eastern Michigan's closest MAC road trip of the season. Bowling Green's Stroh Center is next at just 68 miles from Ypsilanti.

FACING THE ROCKETS: Wednesday's contest marks the 84th meeting between Toledo and Eastern Michigan, who first met during the 1977-78 season. The Rockets lead the overall series, 51-32, and won six of the last 10 meetings between the schools.

LAST TIME AGAINST UT: Eastern saw its Senior Day spoiled in heartbreaking fashion at the hands of Toledo, March 6, 2019, inside the Convocation Center. After what would have been game-winning shots were waved off at the end of regulation and an initial extra period, Toledo outlasted Eastern, 70-67, in double overtime.
A pair of free throws by then-freshman Kiara Johnson put EMU ahead by two, 65-63, with 2:38 to go in the second OT, but Toledo responded with a freebie and then an offensive putback to reclaim the lead, 66-65. Despite a timely layup by then-freshman Jenna Annecchiarico in the closing minute that brought EMU within one, Eastern could not get a defensive stop as UT grabbed its 15th offensive rebound in the waning moments to seal the 70-67 setback for the Eagles.

LAST WIN AGAINST TOLEDO: EMU defeated the Rockets, 70-57, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, inside the Convocation Center. One-time Eagle Sasha Dailey led the Green and White with 20 points, and became the 22nd Eagle in program history to score 1,000 career points. Former Eagle Danielle Minott tallied 15 points and a team-high four steals, while then-freshman Courtnie Lewis added 12 points, three rebounds, and one theft

LAST TIME AT SAVAGE: Eastern could not keep pace with an efficient offensive effort by the Toledo, Feb. 9, 2019. EMU shot just 27.7 percent from the floor, while UT 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. Then-sophomore Autumn Hudson recorded the first double-double of her career to pace Eastern.

LAST WIN AT SAVAGE: Former Eagle Cha Sweeney fueled Eastern to a crucial Mid-American Conference road win over UT, Feb. 24, 2016. The Eagles never trailed in the contest, cruising to a 58-46 win over the Rockets. Returning to her hometown, Sweeney finished one rebound shy of a double-double with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-17 shooting to go along with three assists and two steals.

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).

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern remains in the Buckeye State as it travels east for a weekend clash with the University of Akron, Feb. 1. Tipoff is set for 12 p.m. at "The JAR."

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jenna Annecchiarico

Corrione Cardwell

Areanna Combs

Sasha Dailey

Autumn Hudson

Kiara Johnson

Courtnie Lewis

Danielle Minott

Eastern Michigan Athletics