Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
2-2,0-0MAC
Delaware
5-1,0-0CAA
Combs and Skanes Record Double-Doubles in Eastern Michigan's 87-72 loss to Delaware
11/26/2021 5:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Eastern looks to bounce back against Florida International, Nov 27
MIAMI, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team dropped its first game of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, falling to the University of Delaware 87-72, today, Nov. 26, inside Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Eagles (2-2, 0-0 MAC) saw two players record double-doubles in redshirt senior Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) (26 points,11 rebounds) and redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla-Putnam City West (Florida International)) (11 points,10 rebounds). Redshirt senior Danielle Rainey (Cedar Park, Texas-Vista Ridge (Florida)) added 15 points on 3-of-4 attempts from deep.
On the defensive end, Combs and Skanes combined for 21 of the team's 29 rebounds (72.4%). Additionally, Combs came away with two swipes while redshirt junior RayJon Harris (Euclid, Ohio-Euclid) tied her career-high with two blocks.
How It Happened
After jumping out to an 8-5 advantage, Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run with 5:09 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Skanes, to increase its lead to 13-5. Delaware then responded to tie things up at 17-17 heading into the second quarter. Eastern Michigan did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12-of-17 points close to the basket.
In the second period, Eastern Michigan lost some of its touch, making just 33.3% (6-for-18) of its field goals. The Blue Hens took advantage of the subpar shooting by adding 23 points in the second. At the half, Delaware held on to a 40-32 advantage.
Delaware continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 50-41 advantage before Eastern Michigan went on an 8-0 run to trim its deficit to 50-49 with 4:41 to go in the third. The Eagles continued their rally and brought things level at 60-60 entering the fourth quarter.
The two teams went into the final stanza at 60-all, but Delaware took off and never looked back. The Blue Hens got hot and made 11 baskets in the fourth compared to just five for the Eagles. For UD, its fourth-quarter effort was good for 27 points to EMU's 12 as the final score read 87-72.
Game Notes
» Today's game was the second of the season in which the Eagles have seen two players record at least a double-double.
» Combs' double-double (26 points, 11 rebounds) was the redshirt senior's second of the season.
» Additionally, Comb's outing was her first of the year rebounding in double figures.
» Skanes' 10 rebounds marked her second performance of the season with 10-or-more boards.
» Eastern sank 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the charity stripe, the third game this year in which the team has shot at least 70% from the line.
» Rainey's performance marked her third at EMU shooting 50%-or-better from beyond-the-arc.
» Freshman Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill.-Bolingbrook (Louisiana State)) added a block to bring her season total to eight.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan will remain in the Sunshine State for one more Florida International Tournament matchup, squaring off against host FIU tomorrow, Nov. 26. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Fans are encouraged to follow EMUEagles.com and @EMUWBB on social media to stay up-to-date on all things EMU women's basketball.
