Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 8
Kalamazoo, Mich.
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Women's Basketball Heads West to Face Western Michigan
2/6/2020 2:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The team looks to notch its sixth conference win
| Women's Basketball vs. Ohio | |
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 5 | 2 p.m. |
| Venue | Kalamazoo, Mich. | University Arena |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team will make the short trek on I-94 westbound for a Mid-American Conference showdown with in-state rival, Western Michigan University, Saturday, Feb. 8. Tipoff from WMU's University Arena is set for 2 p.m.
Eastern (10-11; 5-5 MAC) looks to recover after consecutive losses at Akron, Feb. 1, and versus Ohio, Feb. 5. Meanwhile, Western Michigan (10-12; 3-6 MAC) looks to build momentum after handling Miami, 64-60, on Monday, Feb. 3.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Fans can also follow live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats, or get live updates from the team's Twitter, @EMUWBB.
OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES: Western Michigan Head Coach Shane Clipfell spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, and was the acting head coach for most of the 2006-07 season when then-Head Coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave.
While serving as the acting head coach at EMU for a majority of the 2006-07 season, he guided the Eagles to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-6 finish in the MAC, good for second place in the West Division. Individually, Sarah VanMetre became the first women's basketball player in program history to be named Academic All-American, Patrice McKinney was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Alyssa Pittman was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.
14-FOR-14: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the 14 games she has played this season. The Oklahoma City native has scored in double-figures in each contest. In all, Combs is averaging a team-best 18.1 points per game, an average that only two players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
Combs scored a team-best 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting Jan. 29, at Toledo, before putting up 12 points in just 21 minutes at Akron, Feb. 1. She was unable to play in EMU's last game, Feb. 5, due to injury.
JENNA BRINGS THE JUICE: Sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico was outstanding for the Eagles on Wednesday. The Baldwin, N.Y. native tallied a team-high 17 points and added 10 rebounds against Ohio. The effort goes down as her first-career double-double. Annecchiarico has scored in double-figures in eight contests this season, including each of her last three outings.
FOUR CAN SCORE: While sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico headlined the show with 17 points, three other Eagles tallied double-digit scoring performances against Ohio, Feb. 5. Junior Courtnie Lewis hit three triples en route to 13 points, while redshirt sophomores RayJon Harris and Juanita Agosto added 12 and 10 points, respectively. EMU has seen droves of offensive production in its last two contests, as five members of the Green and White scored in double-figures against Akron, Feb. 1.
LEWIS FINDS HER FRIENDS: Junior Courtnie Lewis did more than score against Ohio, Feb. 5. Earning her sixth start of the season, the upperclassman showed her ability to distribute the rock, as she raked up three assists, which tied her career-high, set Jan. 12, 2019, against Western Michigan.
JUANITA KEEPS ROLLING: After putting up a career-best day against Akron, Feb. 1, which included personal bests in points (21), field goals (8), single-game triples (2), and minutes (44), redshirt sophomore Juanita Agosto was again great against Ohio, Feb. 5. The Seattle, Wash. native notched 10 points while registering three steals and two assists. Agosto has now scored 10+ points in consecutive games for the first time in her career.
CAREER-DAY FOR RAYJON: Redshirt sophomore RayJon Harris set a new standard with her play against Ohio, Feb. 5. The Buckeye State-product produced 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, both career-bests, while adding five rebounds along the way.
THANKS FOR ASSISTING: Sophomore guard Jenna Annecchiarico is one of the best in the MAC at dishing the rock. She tallied a team-leading five helpers against Ohio, Feb. 5, which marked the third time this season that she racked up five-plus assists in a game. Her 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio is second-best in the league, while her 3.5 assists per game ranks 10th. The Baldwin, N.Y. native leads EMU in both categories.
LEWIS KEEPS FIRING: Junior guard Courtnie Lewis has been good from beyond the arc in EMU's last four games (NIU, Jan. 25; Toledo, Jan. 29;. Akron, Feb. 1; Ohio, Feb.5). The Belton, Mo. native has hit two-or-more threes in each contest, which has tied for or been a team-best in each game, respectively. Lewis has now led EMU in single-game three-point makes nine times this season, and 34 times during her career.
GETTING IT DONE ON D: Eastern Michigan's high intensity defense has caused opponents fits this season. The Eagles have forced the opposition into 15+ turnovers 17 times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in seven of their 18 games. EMU's 19.3 forced turnovers per game are the second-most in the MAC.
14 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 14 contests, dating back to Dec. 7, at Wichita State. She recorded five steals against Ohio, Feb. 5, which tied a season-best and ties her single-game career-high (twice). She is first on the team with 42 steals, and her 2.0 SPG average is tied-for sixth in the conference.
TOP-FIVE DEFENSE: The EMU defense has been stout all season long, giving up just 66.4 points per contest. That number is tied-for fourth place in the Mid-American Conference, just 2.4 points behind league-leader Ball State (63.7 points allowed per game).
CRASH THE BOARDS: EMU front man Fred Castro preaches the importance of rebounding, and for good reason. The Eagles have out-rebounded opponents eight times during the 2019-20 season. Their record in those games: 6-2. When the opponent out-rebounds EMU, it is just 4-9 on the season, and 10-50 since the start of the 2016-17 campaign.
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 8-0 on the season. When it has less attempts or even attempts, the Eagles are just 2-11.
FACING THE BRONCOS: The Eagles and Broncos will meet for the 87th time Saturday, Feb. 8. A favorable series for the Green and White, EMU holds a 49-37 lead in the all-time count between the two schools. Western has had the edge as of late, winning three of the last five games in the series.
LAST TIME AGAINST WMU: A last-second shot rimmed out as a fourth quarter fury of three-pointers was too much for Eastern to overcome at Western Michigan, Feb. 23, 2019. The Eagles led by as many as six in the third quarter, but six fourth-quarter triples by the Broncos sent EMU home with a 71-68 setback. Eastern trailed by seven with 3:29 to play, but used a late push to make it a one possession game with 10.1 seconds left on the clock. Then-freshman Natalia Pineda pulled down a defensive rebound on a missed free throw, and former Eagle Danielle Minott let a three-pointer fly, but the attempt rimmed out to cut the comeback short.
LAST WIN OVER WESTERN: EMU pulled out a thrilling 64-61 victory over Western Michigan, Jan. 12, 2019, inside the Convocation Center. Trailing, 61-59, the Eagles picked up the first of two crucial stops when then-freshman Jenna Annecchiarico drew a charge with 1:06 left in regulation. On EMU's next possession, Eagle great Danielle Minott knocked down her fourth triple of the final frame to give the Eagles a 62-61 lead with 47 seconds on the clock. The Broncos' next possession ended on a shot clock violation with 15 seconds remaining, before Annecchiarico sank a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to seal a three-point win.
LAST WIN AT WMU: Eastern held off Western for a 63-52 victory, March 2, 2016 in Kalamazoo. The Eagles were led by former player Chanise Baldwin, who dominated down low for a career-high 19 points. She did most of her work from the free-throw line, hitting a career-best 11 from the stripe. Meanwhile, fellow fomer Eagle Janay Morton led the Eagles defensively, notching a six-steal game. Two other Eagles finished in double figures to help EMU secure the win.
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 is back on the road as it travels to Bowling Green State University for a midweek date with the Falcons. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, inside the Stroh Center.
Eastern (10-11; 5-5 MAC) looks to recover after consecutive losses at Akron, Feb. 1, and versus Ohio, Feb. 5. Meanwhile, Western Michigan (10-12; 3-6 MAC) looks to build momentum after handling Miami, 64-60, on Monday, Feb. 3.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Fans can also follow live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats, or get live updates from the team's Twitter, @EMUWBB.
OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES: Western Michigan Head Coach Shane Clipfell spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, and was the acting head coach for most of the 2006-07 season when then-Head Coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave.
While serving as the acting head coach at EMU for a majority of the 2006-07 season, he guided the Eagles to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-6 finish in the MAC, good for second place in the West Division. Individually, Sarah VanMetre became the first women's basketball player in program history to be named Academic All-American, Patrice McKinney was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Alyssa Pittman was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.
14-FOR-14: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the 14 games she has played this season. The Oklahoma City native has scored in double-figures in each contest. In all, Combs is averaging a team-best 18.1 points per game, an average that only two players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
Combs scored a team-best 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting Jan. 29, at Toledo, before putting up 12 points in just 21 minutes at Akron, Feb. 1. She was unable to play in EMU's last game, Feb. 5, due to injury.
JENNA BRINGS THE JUICE: Sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico was outstanding for the Eagles on Wednesday. The Baldwin, N.Y. native tallied a team-high 17 points and added 10 rebounds against Ohio. The effort goes down as her first-career double-double. Annecchiarico has scored in double-figures in eight contests this season, including each of her last three outings.
FOUR CAN SCORE: While sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico headlined the show with 17 points, three other Eagles tallied double-digit scoring performances against Ohio, Feb. 5. Junior Courtnie Lewis hit three triples en route to 13 points, while redshirt sophomores RayJon Harris and Juanita Agosto added 12 and 10 points, respectively. EMU has seen droves of offensive production in its last two contests, as five members of the Green and White scored in double-figures against Akron, Feb. 1.
LEWIS FINDS HER FRIENDS: Junior Courtnie Lewis did more than score against Ohio, Feb. 5. Earning her sixth start of the season, the upperclassman showed her ability to distribute the rock, as she raked up three assists, which tied her career-high, set Jan. 12, 2019, against Western Michigan.
JUANITA KEEPS ROLLING: After putting up a career-best day against Akron, Feb. 1, which included personal bests in points (21), field goals (8), single-game triples (2), and minutes (44), redshirt sophomore Juanita Agosto was again great against Ohio, Feb. 5. The Seattle, Wash. native notched 10 points while registering three steals and two assists. Agosto has now scored 10+ points in consecutive games for the first time in her career.
CAREER-DAY FOR RAYJON: Redshirt sophomore RayJon Harris set a new standard with her play against Ohio, Feb. 5. The Buckeye State-product produced 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, both career-bests, while adding five rebounds along the way.
THANKS FOR ASSISTING: Sophomore guard Jenna Annecchiarico is one of the best in the MAC at dishing the rock. She tallied a team-leading five helpers against Ohio, Feb. 5, which marked the third time this season that she racked up five-plus assists in a game. Her 1.6 assist-to-turnover ratio is second-best in the league, while her 3.5 assists per game ranks 10th. The Baldwin, N.Y. native leads EMU in both categories.
LEWIS KEEPS FIRING: Junior guard Courtnie Lewis has been good from beyond the arc in EMU's last four games (NIU, Jan. 25; Toledo, Jan. 29;. Akron, Feb. 1; Ohio, Feb.5). The Belton, Mo. native has hit two-or-more threes in each contest, which has tied for or been a team-best in each game, respectively. Lewis has now led EMU in single-game three-point makes nine times this season, and 34 times during her career.
GETTING IT DONE ON D: Eastern Michigan's high intensity defense has caused opponents fits this season. The Eagles have forced the opposition into 15+ turnovers 17 times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in seven of their 18 games. EMU's 19.3 forced turnovers per game are the second-most in the MAC.
14 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 14 contests, dating back to Dec. 7, at Wichita State. She recorded five steals against Ohio, Feb. 5, which tied a season-best and ties her single-game career-high (twice). She is first on the team with 42 steals, and her 2.0 SPG average is tied-for sixth in the conference.
TOP-FIVE DEFENSE: The EMU defense has been stout all season long, giving up just 66.4 points per contest. That number is tied-for fourth place in the Mid-American Conference, just 2.4 points behind league-leader Ball State (63.7 points allowed per game).
CRASH THE BOARDS: EMU front man Fred Castro preaches the importance of rebounding, and for good reason. The Eagles have out-rebounded opponents eight times during the 2019-20 season. Their record in those games: 6-2. When the opponent out-rebounds EMU, it is just 4-9 on the season, and 10-50 since the start of the 2016-17 campaign.
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 8-0 on the season. When it has less attempts or even attempts, the Eagles are just 2-11.
FACING THE BRONCOS: The Eagles and Broncos will meet for the 87th time Saturday, Feb. 8. A favorable series for the Green and White, EMU holds a 49-37 lead in the all-time count between the two schools. Western has had the edge as of late, winning three of the last five games in the series.
LAST TIME AGAINST WMU: A last-second shot rimmed out as a fourth quarter fury of three-pointers was too much for Eastern to overcome at Western Michigan, Feb. 23, 2019. The Eagles led by as many as six in the third quarter, but six fourth-quarter triples by the Broncos sent EMU home with a 71-68 setback. Eastern trailed by seven with 3:29 to play, but used a late push to make it a one possession game with 10.1 seconds left on the clock. Then-freshman Natalia Pineda pulled down a defensive rebound on a missed free throw, and former Eagle Danielle Minott let a three-pointer fly, but the attempt rimmed out to cut the comeback short.
LAST WIN OVER WESTERN: EMU pulled out a thrilling 64-61 victory over Western Michigan, Jan. 12, 2019, inside the Convocation Center. Trailing, 61-59, the Eagles picked up the first of two crucial stops when then-freshman Jenna Annecchiarico drew a charge with 1:06 left in regulation. On EMU's next possession, Eagle great Danielle Minott knocked down her fourth triple of the final frame to give the Eagles a 62-61 lead with 47 seconds on the clock. The Broncos' next possession ended on a shot clock violation with 15 seconds remaining, before Annecchiarico sank a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to seal a three-point win.
LAST WIN AT WMU: Eastern held off Western for a 63-52 victory, March 2, 2016 in Kalamazoo. The Eagles were led by former player Chanise Baldwin, who dominated down low for a career-high 19 points. She did most of her work from the free-throw line, hitting a career-best 11 from the stripe. Meanwhile, fellow fomer Eagle Janay Morton led the Eagles defensively, notching a six-steal game. Two other Eagles finished in double figures to help EMU secure the win.
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 is back on the road as it travels to Bowling Green State University for a midweek date with the Falcons. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, inside the Stroh Center.
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