Eastern Michigan Athletics
Monday, March 9
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Northern Illinois
Tournament Time: Women's Hoops Hosts NIU in First Round Game, March 9
3/8/2020 4:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Eastern looks to advance to the quarterfinal round in Cleveland,Ohio, March 11
| MAC Tournament First Round: Women's Basketball vs Northern Illinois | |
| Date | Monday, March 9 | 7 p.m. |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Convocation Center |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU 89.1 FM |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- After finishing its regular season, the No. 7 seeded Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team will begin play in the 2020 Mid-American Conference Tournament Monday, March 9, with a home game against No. 10 Northern Illinois University. Tipoff in the win-or-go-home game is slated for 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
Eastern (14-15; 9-9 MAC) looks to earn a sport in the conference quarterfinals for the third time under Fred Castro with a win. Meanwhile, NIU (11-18; 7-11 MAC) is hoping for a trip to Cleveland of its own after finishing the regular season with wins in three of its last four outings.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Tom Helmer calling the play-by-play and Greg Steiner providing analysis. Fans can also follow live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats, or get live updates from the team's Twitter, @EMUWBB.
EMU IN THE MAC TOURNAMENT: Eastern will play in its 51st MAC tournament game when it takes the court against NIU, March 9. EMU is 26-24 all-time in its league tournament appearances, which date back to the 1981-82 season. Eastern has twice captured the tournament crown and reached the NCAA tournament via an automatic bid, first in 2004, and most recently in 2012.
UNDER FRED CASTRO: The Green and White are 2-3 in MAC tournament play under fourth-year Head Coach Fred Castro. EMU has provided the upset by winning its first round game in each of the last two seasons before being bounced in the quarterfinals in both campaigns by top-seeded Central Michigan. EMU enters the tournament as the No. 7 seed, its highest ranking under Castro.
EMU VS. NIU IN THE TOURNAMENT: EMU and NIU have met just four times in postseason Mid-American Conference play, with each team claiming two wins. The squads most recently faced off in tournament play by way of a first round game in 2018. The No. 9-seeded road team, Eastern Michigan, was able to knock off No. 8 Northern Illinois, 84-77, in that contest.
WHEN HOSTING A HOME GAME: Eastern will host its 12th first round home game when it welcomes NIU to the Convocation Center, March 9. EMU has fared well on its home court during tournament play, as the Green and White hold a 8-3 all-time record in such games. EMU most recently held a first round home game in 2016, where it defeated Kent State, 73-60.
ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHERN: Monday's MAC Tournament tilt between Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois will be the 56th meeting between the two squads all-time. EMU holds the edge, leading the series 37-18, but NIU has taken three of the last four meetings. The teams split their two regular season meetings this season.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE HUSKIES: Eastern closed a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to three, 56-53, with two minutes remaining, but was unable to finish off the late-game comeback against its Mid-American Conference West Division foe, Northern Illinois Feb. 26, at the NIU Convocation Center. The Eagles ultimately fell, 65-59.
EMU was led by redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs, who dropped 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting to lead all scorers in the game. The performance was, at the time, her 19th-consecutive double-digit scoring effort. The streak is now at 22.
MISS 1,000: Junior Courtnie Lewis became just the 23rd member of the EMU women's basketball 1,000-point club when she drained a deep triple in the third quarter of EMU's game against Toledo, Feb. 29. She is the first Eagle to reach the milestone since Sasha Dailey did it in 2018 (1,247 career-points).
Lewis scored 435 points during her freshman campaign, 348 as a sophomore, and has registered 220 through just 28 games this season. Just a junior, she is on pace to finish inside the top-15 in program history in total points.
DEATH, TAXES, DOUBLE-DIGITS: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the 22 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 19.0 points per game, an average that only two players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
Combs scored a team-best 21 points against Central Michigan, March 7. The performance was her 10th of 20+ points this season.
The 22-game double-digit streak is currently the second-best in the MAC behind CMU's Micaela Kelly (29 games). The duo is the only pair in the MAC to have scored 10+ points in every game that they have participated in this season. Combs is just nine points from being in the top-10 in scoring for a junior in EMU program history (see list on page nine).
TOP-TIER SCORE-STOPPERS: EMU's defense has established itself as one of the very best in the league. The unit allows just 65.3 points per game, which ranks second in the MAC. EMU held Toledo to just 46 points on Feb. 29, UT's lowest point total in 25 games (Nov. 9 vs. Dayton). EMU followed that up by giving up just 53 to WMU, March 4.
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 20 times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in nine of their 29 games. EMU's 17.9 forced turnovers per game are the third-most in the MAC.
MOVE OVER PITT, YPSI IS THE STEAL CITY: EMU's defense has been fantastic all season, and that is evidenced by its ability to steal the rock. The Eagles rank third in the Mid-American Conference with 8.69 steals per game, and have racked up 252 total steals this season. Redshirt junior Areanna Combs is first on the team and fourth in the MAC with a 2.2 SPG average.
BACK ON TRACK: Sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico has been nearly automatic when it comes to swiping the ball. The Baldwin, N.Y. native recorded at least one steal in each 17-consecutive games, dating from Dec. 7, at Wichita State through Feb 29, versus Toledo. Unfortunately, the streak ended Wednesday, March 4, against Western Michigan. Despite the streak ending, she came right back with a pair of swipes against CMU, March 7. She is first on the team with 50 steals, and her 1.9 SPG average is 10th-best in the conference.
HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME: Junior guard Courtnie Lewis put together her best performance of the season in EMU's regular season finale at CMU, March 7. The Belton, Mo. native led the team in points (22), three-pointers (5), and rebounds (10), which were all season-bests for the EMU 1,000-point club member.
BIG TIME BOARDS: EMU has provided itself with an abundance of second-chance opportunities this season. The Eagles are currently second in the conference with 13.6 offensive rebounds per game, and ranks third in the league in rebounding offense (40.9 ppg). EMU also holds the second-best rebounding margin in the MAC, at +1.5 per game.
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 10-1 on the season. When it has less attempts or even attempts, the Eagles are just 4-14.
FREE THROW WOES: Free throws are an integral stat for postseason success, and it is an aspect of the game EMU needs to improve on if it hopes to win the MAC title. The Eagles are 12th in the league in free throw percentage (61.7%). The good news? EMU is third in the league in total attempts (587), which means there are points ready to be captured by the Green and White. Additionally, EMU has shot better-than 70 percent from the line in two of its last three contests (74% vs Toledo, Feb. 29; 76% vs WMU, March 4).
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 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio is tied-for first in the league, while her 3.3 assists per game ranks tied-for ninth. The Baldwin, N.Y. native leads EMU in both categories.
SETTING NEW STANDARDS: With its win over Toledo, Feb. 29, Eastern secured its ninth conference win of the season, which is EMU's best league win total all-time under Fred Castro (four seasons). EMU has finished each of the last two seasons with six conference wins.
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: With a win, Eastern will head straight to Cleveland for a quarterfinal matchup against the No. 2-seeded Ball State University Cardinals. The game would be played Wednesday, March 11, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. A loss, however, would end EMU's season.
Eastern (14-15; 9-9 MAC) looks to earn a sport in the conference quarterfinals for the third time under Fred Castro with a win. Meanwhile, NIU (11-18; 7-11 MAC) is hoping for a trip to Cleveland of its own after finishing the regular season with wins in three of its last four outings.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Tom Helmer calling the play-by-play and Greg Steiner providing analysis. Fans can also follow live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats, or get live updates from the team's Twitter, @EMUWBB.
EMU IN THE MAC TOURNAMENT: Eastern will play in its 51st MAC tournament game when it takes the court against NIU, March 9. EMU is 26-24 all-time in its league tournament appearances, which date back to the 1981-82 season. Eastern has twice captured the tournament crown and reached the NCAA tournament via an automatic bid, first in 2004, and most recently in 2012.
UNDER FRED CASTRO: The Green and White are 2-3 in MAC tournament play under fourth-year Head Coach Fred Castro. EMU has provided the upset by winning its first round game in each of the last two seasons before being bounced in the quarterfinals in both campaigns by top-seeded Central Michigan. EMU enters the tournament as the No. 7 seed, its highest ranking under Castro.
EMU VS. NIU IN THE TOURNAMENT: EMU and NIU have met just four times in postseason Mid-American Conference play, with each team claiming two wins. The squads most recently faced off in tournament play by way of a first round game in 2018. The No. 9-seeded road team, Eastern Michigan, was able to knock off No. 8 Northern Illinois, 84-77, in that contest.
WHEN HOSTING A HOME GAME: Eastern will host its 12th first round home game when it welcomes NIU to the Convocation Center, March 9. EMU has fared well on its home court during tournament play, as the Green and White hold a 8-3 all-time record in such games. EMU most recently held a first round home game in 2016, where it defeated Kent State, 73-60.
ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHERN: Monday's MAC Tournament tilt between Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois will be the 56th meeting between the two squads all-time. EMU holds the edge, leading the series 37-18, but NIU has taken three of the last four meetings. The teams split their two regular season meetings this season.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE HUSKIES: Eastern closed a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to three, 56-53, with two minutes remaining, but was unable to finish off the late-game comeback against its Mid-American Conference West Division foe, Northern Illinois Feb. 26, at the NIU Convocation Center. The Eagles ultimately fell, 65-59.
EMU was led by redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs, who dropped 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting to lead all scorers in the game. The performance was, at the time, her 19th-consecutive double-digit scoring effort. The streak is now at 22.
MISS 1,000: Junior Courtnie Lewis became just the 23rd member of the EMU women's basketball 1,000-point club when she drained a deep triple in the third quarter of EMU's game against Toledo, Feb. 29. She is the first Eagle to reach the milestone since Sasha Dailey did it in 2018 (1,247 career-points).
Lewis scored 435 points during her freshman campaign, 348 as a sophomore, and has registered 220 through just 28 games this season. Just a junior, she is on pace to finish inside the top-15 in program history in total points.
DEATH, TAXES, DOUBLE-DIGITS: Redshirt junior guard Areanna Combs has been outstanding for the Eagles in the 22 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 19.0 points per game, an average that only two players in the MAC have outpaced this season.
Combs scored a team-best 21 points against Central Michigan, March 7. The performance was her 10th of 20+ points this season.
The 22-game double-digit streak is currently the second-best in the MAC behind CMU's Micaela Kelly (29 games). The duo is the only pair in the MAC to have scored 10+ points in every game that they have participated in this season. Combs is just nine points from being in the top-10 in scoring for a junior in EMU program history (see list on page nine).
TOP-TIER SCORE-STOPPERS: EMU's defense has established itself as one of the very best in the league. The unit allows just 65.3 points per game, which ranks second in the MAC. EMU held Toledo to just 46 points on Feb. 29, UT's lowest point total in 25 games (Nov. 9 vs. Dayton). EMU followed that up by giving up just 53 to WMU, March 4.
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 20 times, while picking their pockets 10+ times in nine of their 29 games. EMU's 17.9 forced turnovers per game are the third-most in the MAC.
MOVE OVER PITT, YPSI IS THE STEAL CITY: EMU's defense has been fantastic all season, and that is evidenced by its ability to steal the rock. The Eagles rank third in the Mid-American Conference with 8.69 steals per game, and have racked up 252 total steals this season. Redshirt junior Areanna Combs is first on the team and fourth in the MAC with a 2.2 SPG average.
BACK ON TRACK: Sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico has been nearly automatic when it comes to swiping the ball. The Baldwin, N.Y. native recorded at least one steal in each 17-consecutive games, dating from Dec. 7, at Wichita State through Feb 29, versus Toledo. Unfortunately, the streak ended Wednesday, March 4, against Western Michigan. Despite the streak ending, she came right back with a pair of swipes against CMU, March 7. She is first on the team with 50 steals, and her 1.9 SPG average is 10th-best in the conference.
HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME: Junior guard Courtnie Lewis put together her best performance of the season in EMU's regular season finale at CMU, March 7. The Belton, Mo. native led the team in points (22), three-pointers (5), and rebounds (10), which were all season-bests for the EMU 1,000-point club member.
BIG TIME BOARDS: EMU has provided itself with an abundance of second-chance opportunities this season. The Eagles are currently second in the conference with 13.6 offensive rebounds per game, and ranks third in the league in rebounding offense (40.9 ppg). EMU also holds the second-best rebounding margin in the MAC, at +1.5 per game.
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 10-1 on the season. When it has less attempts or even attempts, the Eagles are just 4-14.
FREE THROW WOES: Free throws are an integral stat for postseason success, and it is an aspect of the game EMU needs to improve on if it hopes to win the MAC title. The Eagles are 12th in the league in free throw percentage (61.7%). The good news? EMU is third in the league in total attempts (587), which means there are points ready to be captured by the Green and White. Additionally, EMU has shot better-than 70 percent from the line in two of its last three contests (74% vs Toledo, Feb. 29; 76% vs WMU, March 4).
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 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio is tied-for first in the league, while her 3.3 assists per game ranks tied-for ninth. The Baldwin, N.Y. native leads EMU in both categories.
SETTING NEW STANDARDS: With its win over Toledo, Feb. 29, Eastern secured its ninth conference win of the season, which is EMU's best league win total all-time under Fred Castro (four seasons). EMU has finished each of the last two seasons with six conference wins.
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: With a win, Eastern will head straight to Cleveland for a quarterfinal matchup against the No. 2-seeded Ball State University Cardinals. The game would be played Wednesday, March 11, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. A loss, however, would end EMU's season.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Nikki Knapp
Friday, October 10
Sisi Eleko 2024-25 Highlights
Wednesday, October 08