Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
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Detroit Mercy
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Eastern Michigan Pulls Away Late, Defeats Detroit Mercy For First Win of Season
11/13/2021 9:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Four Eagles scored in double figures; Nelson shines from deep in second career game
Postgame Highlight Video
Postgame Press Conference
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team saw four Eagles score in double figures as the team topped Detroit Mercy, 76-66, tonight, Nov. 13, inside the Convocation Center.
The Eagles (1-1, 0-0 MAC) were paced offensively by redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International) with 19 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field. Additionally, redshirt senior Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) added 18, classmate Danielle Rainey (Cedar Park, Texas-Vista Ridge (Florida)) dropped 16, and freshman ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) scored 12.
On the defensive end, Skanes hauled in eight rebounds (five offensive, three defensive) and two blocks. Moreover, freshman Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill.-Bolingbrook (Lousiana State)) recorded a team-high three blocks, while first-year guard Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) added four boards and one block.
How It Happened
Tied 12-12 early in the first quarter, Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run with 4:37 left, culminating in a three from Nelson, to take an 18-12 lead. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 22-20 advantage.
Detroit Mercy fought back to tie the game at 27-27 before the Green and White went on another 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Rainey, to take a 33-27 lead. The Titans cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 38-34 advantage heading into halftime.
After intermission, EMU added to its advantage as it built a 54-48 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Eagles kept their lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 72-64 with 1:37 to go in the contest. Eastern kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 76-66 win.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan was solid from three-point range, knocking down 9-of-22 (40.9%) long-range attempts.
» EMU held the Titans to only 38.7 percent (24-of-62) shooting from the field, while the Eagles hit 46.6 percent (27of-58).
» The Eagles bested UDM on the board, 39-36.
» Three members of the Green and White dished out at least three assists: Combs (4), Austin (3), Skanes (3).
» Eastern Michigan scored its most points in a first half this season 38, breaking the previous mark from the first game.
» EMU led for all but one minute and 33 seconds of the contest.
» Rainey (16), Nelson (12), Thompson (2), and freshman Kyndal Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton) (5) all scored career-highs in points.
Historical Notes
» Eastern recorded six total team blocks, the first time the Eagles had five-or-more blocks in a game since they recorded seven against Ball State, Jan. 23, 2021.
» The last time four Eagles recorded double-digit scoring efforts was also against BSU, Jan. 23, 2021. In the game, Combs scored 19, Skanes dropped 14, former Eagle Jenna Annecchiarico had 12, and then-sophomore Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson) put up 11.
» This was the first time three Eagles notched 15-plus points in a game since Combs recorded 23, former Eagle Corrione Cardwell dropped 20, and Skanes had 19 at Central Michigan, Jan. 20, 2021.
» Nelson and Rainey were phenomenal from beyond-the-arc, both going 4-of-7 from deep. This was the first time a pair of Eagles made four-or-more deep balls since then-redshirt junior Combs drained five, while then-sophomore Kylee O'Hara (Ajax, Ontario-Henry Street (Florida International) notched four against Southeast Missouri State, Dec. 6, 2020.
» Skanes had a team-high five offensive rebounds against UDM. The center now has eleven games with five-or-more offensive rebounds in her career, the most of any current Eagle.
» Combs is 13-13 from the charity stripe thus far this season. Her 13-straight makes is the longest of her career and the longest active stretch on the team.
» Additionally, with 18 points against the Titans, the guard has now recorded double-digit scoring performances in 44-of-46 games while donning the Green and White.
» With four-straight wins versus Detroit Mercy, the best stretch for any team in the modern statistical era (1998-Pres.).
Up Next
EMU will close out its three-game season-opening homestand with a game against Grace Christian University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, inside the Convocation Center.
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