Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
3-4,0-0MAC
Binghamton
4-5,0-0America East
Austin Produces First Double-Double in EMU's 66-62 Victory Against Binghamton
12/10/2021 6:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Four Eagles scored in double figures in the victory
Press Conference | Highlight Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEgles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returned to the friendly confines of the Convocation where it defeat Binghamton University 66-62, tonight, Dec. 10.
The Eagles (3-4, 0-0 MAC) saw freshman Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) record her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, both personal-bests. For Austin, she joins redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) and Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) as the only Eagles so far to achieve the feat.
Redshirt senior Danielle Rainey (Cedar Park, Texas-Vista Ridge (Florida)) and combs paced the Eagles offensively with 16 points, while Skanes and Austin added 13 and 10, respectively. Combs also sank six-of-eight free throws and led the way in the passing department with three assists. Rainey was solid from the field with an impressive 7-of-13 (53.8%) clip and hit a pair of threes.
Defensively, Austin hauled in 10 rebounds, followed by Skanes (9), and redshirt junior Juanita Agosto (Seattle, Wa.-Garfield) (8). Six of Agosto's eight boards came on the offensive end, while Skanes collected four. Combs, Austin, and Agosto kept their hands busy, each recording two steals on the night. Moreover, Skanes and freshman Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill.-Bolingbrook (Louisiana State)) both had two blocks to keep the Bearcats at bay.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan shot hot out of the gate, jumping out to an 8-0 advantage in the first two minutes of the contest. All five starters were heavily involved, with each one scoring points in the first stanza. Additionally, three members of the Green and White recorded a steal as the Eagles built a 24-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. After knocking down 10-of-18 (55.6%) shots from the field in the first, Eastern was stifled in the second quarter of action. However, EMU's defense remained solid, highlighted by a defiant block by Thompson. The Eagles led 33-27 over the Bearcats as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Binghamton fought back to make it 39-36, however, Eastern Michigan responded by going on a 9-0 run towards the end of the period. EMU outworked BU on the boards, 14-9, six of which were on the offensive end to make it 48-41 Eagles after three. The Bearcats once again got within three, 52-49, at the 7:25 mark of the final period. But yet again, the Eagles had an answer, this time with a quick 5-0 spurt to take an eight-point lead. Binghamton would not go away, clawing back as Eastern held on to a 63-62 edge with 11 seconds remaining. Combs came up clutch late, hitting two free throws and nabbing a steal to seal the deal, 66-62.
Game Notes
» Austin notched a double-double for the Eagles with personal-bests in points (12) and rebounds (10). The guard also tied her career-high in steals with two.
» The Eagles held the Bearcats to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» EMU never trailed at any point in the contest.
» Eastern Michigan had a 46-40 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Eastern Michigan defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Eastern Michigan cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Agosto achieved season-highs in minutes (31) and steals (2) on the night.
» The Eagles' 10-for-18 (55.5%) shooting from the field in the second quarter was the best percentage by EMU this season against Division I opponents (minimum of 15 attempts).
» With three assists on the night, Combs now has five outings with three-or-more dimes.
» Senior Courtnie Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton) was on the court for a season-high 21 minutes where she scored four points and grabbed two rebounds.
» Combs scored in double-digits for the sixth-straight game this season.
» EMU leads the Mid-American Conference with a 45.1 percent clip from the floor after Friday afternoon's contest.
» Rainey made seven field goals on 13 attempts, both of which are career-highs.
Historical Notes
» The all-time series between Eastern Michigan and Binghamton sits at 1-1.
» With her 12-point, 10-rebound effort tonight, Austin joins Skanes, Combs, and Agosto as the only Eagles this season to record a double-double.
» Combs dropped 16 points, marking the 49th time in 51 games the redshirt senior has reached double figures in scoring while donning the Green and White.
» The Eagles begin the season 3-1 at home, the team's best start since starting the 2018-19 season 5-0 inside the Convocation Center.
