See you Soon(er): Women's Basketball Set for Battle at Oklahoma

Women's Basketball at Oklahoma
Date	Tuesday, Dec. 7 \| 5 p.m. CT (6 p.m. ET)
Venue	Norman, Okla. \| Llyod Noble Center (10,967)
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF)
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	Bally Sports Oklahoma
Twitter	@EMU_WBB \| @EMUAthletics

NORMAN, Okla. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team will be back in action Tuesday, Dec. 7 when it travels to the Sooner State for a game at the University of Oklahoma. Tipoff inside the Lloyd Noble Center is set for 5 p.m. CT (6 p.m. ET).
   EMU is looking to get back on track after dropping a pair of contests at the FIU Thanksgiving Classic in its most recent game action (vs. Delaware, Nov. 26; at FIU, Nov. 27).
   The game will be broadcast live on Bally Sports Oklahoma. Fans in the Ypsilanti area can listen to the action live on WEMU 89.1 FM , where Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner will have the call. Additionally, the team's official Twitter account, @EMUWBB, will provide live updates throughout the contest.

WELCOME OKLA-HOME-A: Eastern Michigan has deep ties with the University of Oklahoma via Head Coach Fred Castro. Castro held various positions for the Sooner's women's basketball program from 2001-07, including video/travel coordinator (2005-07), volunteer coach (2004-05), and manager/scout team player (2001-04) while an undergraduate student at the institution. While with the Sooners, Castro was part of six consecutive NCAA Tournament teams, including a Final Four squad in 2002 and back-to-back Sweet Sixteen teams. Oklahoma captured four Big 12 Conference Tournament championships and three regular-season crowns as well during his time on campus. The sixth-year head man earned his bachelor's degree in Aviation as a Sooner.
THE CONNECTIONS KEEP COMING: No one in the MAC has deeper connections to the Sooner State than Eastern Michigan. Three Eagles hail from the State of Oklahoma: freshman ZaNiya Nelson, redshirt senior Areanna Combs, and redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes. The trio is from Oklahoma City and played at Putnam City West High School, Assistant Coach Carlos Adamson's most recent stop before coming to Ypsilanti. Adamson was tabbed as the Oklahoman Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018. During his four-year stint, he guided the Patriots to an 81-20 overall record, a state runner-up finish (2018), a pair of area championships (2017 & 2018), three straight regional championships (2016-18), and two Big 10 Conference titles (2017 & 2018).

THE CONNECTIONS KEEP COMING: No one in the MAC has deeper connections to the Sooner State than Eastern Michigan. Three Eagles hail from the State of Oklahoma: freshman ZaNiya Nelson, redshirt senior Areanna Combs, and redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes. The trio is from Oklahoma City and played at Putnam City West High School, Assistant Coach Carlos Adamson's most recent stop before coming to Ypsilanti. Adamson was tabbed as the Oklahoman Coach of the Year in 2015 and 2018. During his four-year stint, he guided the Patriots to an 81-20 overall record, a state runner-up finish (2018), a pair of area championships (2017 & 2018), three straight regional championships (2016-18), and two Big 10 Conference titles (2017 & 2018).

THE HOT HAND: EMU is off to a great start from the field in 2021-22. The Eagles lead the Mid-American Conference and rank fourth nationally with a 49 percent clip from the floor. The percentage is on pace to be the best mark for the team in the Fred Castro era (2016-Pres.). EMU's best mark under Castro came in the 2017-18 campaign, when the Green and White shot 40.1 percent from the floor for the season.

BIG TIME BUCKETS: Eastern Michigan is averaging 81.6 points per game through its first five contests. That number is good for second in the MAC and 12th nationally.

PLAYING DISCIPLINED: Eastern has been one of the most disciplined teams in the country in the early portion of the 2021-22 season. The Eagles are third in the MAC and 19th in the country in fewest turnovers (82). Additionally, EMU ranks third in the league and 27th nationally in fewest team fouls (90).

DOMINANT FROM DEEP: Eastern Michigan has improved tremendously from three-point land this year compared to last season's numbers. Five games into the 2021-22 season, EMU boasts a 3PT percentage of 42.7 on 41-of-96 attempts. In the same stretch last year, the Eagles were hitting just 29.8 percent (25-for-84).
   The 42.7% mark from beyond-the-arc ranks first in the Mid-American Conference and second in the nation. Meanwhile, the team is fifth in the league in three-pointers made per contest at 8.2, which ranks 46th in all of Division I.
   There were only two games last season where the Green and White shot 35 percent-or-better from deep (at Southeast Missouri State, 40.0%, Dec. 6, 2020; vs. Toledo, 39.3%, Feb. 21). So far this season, Eastern has sunk 35 percent-or better in the category in every game but one.

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS: EMU has put an emphasis on the three-ball this year, and no one member of the Green and White has been better than redshirt senior Danielle Rainey. Through five games, the guard has hit 17-of-27 (63.0%) from downtown and has hit at least three from beyond-the-arc in the last four contests.
   The Washington, D.C. native is tied for first in the Mid-American Conference in three-pointers made per game at 3.4 per game. Additionally, the redshirt senior's 63.0 3PT percentage is good for first in the league and second in the nation.

SHARING IS CARING: Redshirt senior Areanna Combs has been great at dishing the rock early this season. The guard has tallied 26 assists through EMU's first five games for an average of 5.2 assists per contest. Her assists per game average is second in the MAC and 39th in the nation.        Eleven of Combs' 26 assists came against Grace Christian University, Nov. 18. The 11 dimes against the Tigers top her previous best, which she set two games prior against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 9 when she set up seven teammates for points. That performance is tied for the second-best of any player in the country in a single-game this season.
   As a team, the Green and White have recorded 14-or-more assists in three games so far this season. Eastern only achieved 14-or-more assists in a game twice last year; 18 at Southeast Missouri State, Dec. 6, 2020 and 15 versus Buffalo, Jan. 6, 2021. Furthermore, EMU is fourth in the league in assists per game at 15.20 and sixth in total dimes with 76.

CLOSING IN ON WEBB: Senior Courtnie Lewis, a veteran for the Eagles and 1,000-point club member, is moving up the all-time point list at EMU. Lewis boasts 1,080 career points, good for 20th in program history. She sits behind former Eagle Phillis Webb, who produced 1,125 points between 2013-17. With just 46 points to move into the 19th slot, Lewis must average 1.92 ppg over the final 24 regular-season games. Furthermore, the senior is 168 away from passing former Eagle Sasha Dailey (2014-18), who sits in 15th. EMU great Tavelyn James (2008-2012) owns the top spot in program history, having accumulated 2,470 career points.

BLOCK PARTY: Eastern Michigan has been defiant in the paint this season, with six players all recording at least one block to total 25 rejections in five games. EMU is first in the Mid-American Conference in total blocks (25) and blocks per game (5.0). Additionally, those numbers rank 116th and 33rd in the nation, respectively. In the first five games of the 2020-21 season, the Eagles mustered just 12 rejections.
   Freshman Treasure Thompson has led the way so far with nine swats, followed by redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (7), and redshirt junior RayJon Harris (4). Thompson and Skanes hold top-five spots in the Mid-American Conference in total blocks, ranking second and fourth, respectively. Moreover, Thompson paces the league in blocks per game (1.8 bpg), while Skanes is currently fourth in the category (1.4 bpg). For Harris, the Euclid, Ohio native tied her career-high in blocks with two against both Delaware, Nov. 26, and Florida International, Nov. 27.
   Through five games this season, the Eagles have recorded at least five blocks in three contests, swatting six shots against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 13, Grace Christian, Nov. 18, and FIU, Nov. 27. In the 2020-21 campaign, Eastern only recorded five-or-more blocks in a game three times: Seven, at Western Michigan, Jan. 20, 2021; Six versus Ball State, Jan. 23, 2021; Five at Southern Illinois, Nov. 25, 2020.

COOKIES: Redshirt senior Areanna Combs has been great at stealing the rock so far this season. After five games, the guard ranks fourth in the MAC in total steals (17) and third in steals per game (3.4). The Oklahoma City native's 3.4 steals per game is good for ninth in the country. Combs set a career-high last month with 10 against Grace Christian University to help her achieve her first career triple-double (12 points, 11 assists, 10 steals), Nov. 18.
   As a team, Eastern is fourth in the Mid-American Conference in steals per game (10.0 spg), and seventh in total steals (50). EMU's 10 steals per game is good for 64th in the nation.

RAY ON THE RISE: Redshirt junior RayJon Harris has been a crucial part of the EMU lineup this season. Coming into the season, she averaged just 6.9 minutes per contest in her first three years at Eastern. This season, she is averaging a career-high 18.8 minutes per game. Additionally, she hit a career-best 28 minutes in EMU's game vs. Delaware, Nov. 26.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE WEEKEND: The Eagles saw two players record double-doubles in redshirt senior Areanna Combs and redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes at the FIU Thanksgiving Classic, Nov. 26 and 27, respectively. Combs achieved season-bests in points (26) and rebounds (11) while teammate Skanes scored 11 points and grabbed 10 boards in the 87-72 loss to Delaware, Nov. 26.
   The following day, Eastern took on host FIU, where Skanes once again put on an admirable display. The center tied for second on the team in point production (15) and paced the Green and White with 11 rebounds. Furthermore, Skanes now owns three double-doubles on the young season.
   Through five games this season, Combs has produced two double-doubles, including a triple-double against Grace Christian University, Nov. 18. Only nine other individuals in all of Division I have recorded a triple-double, with no one achieving the feat more than once.

STRIPE LIFE: Areanna Combs has been tremendous from the charity-stripe through five contests this season, shooting 24-of-26 (92.3%) from the line. The redshirt senior's efficiency from the line is good for 16th in the country.

DEATH, TAXES, DOUBLE DIGITS: If one thing is as certain as can be, it's that Areanna Combs will score 10+ points. Including her five performances of the nature this season, Combs has now recorded double-digit scoring efforts in 47 of her 49 career games with the Green and White (96%).

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will return home to host Binghamton, Friday, Dec. 10, at 4 p.m.

CHASING 200: The Eastern Michigan women's basketball program has racked up 195 total wins inside the Convocation Center since it opened for play in the 1998-1999 season. EMU can get to 200 all-time with seven home wins this season. The Eagles have averaged just over six wins at home each season since 2016-17, but have twice hit nine home wins.

YOU READ IT RIGHT: EMU put up a program-record 133 points against Grace Christian, Nov. 18. The effort is the second-best by any team in the NCAA this season (Stephen F. Austin - 137 vs. Arlington Baptist, Nov. 20).

QUITE THE DIFFERENCE: EMU defeated GCU, 133-45. The 88-point margin of victory is the largest in program history (record kept since 1998). Prior to the game on Nov. 18, EMU had not won a contest by 30+ points since defeating Olivet College, 95-38, Nov. 8, 2019. That game was also the last, prior to the contest against Grace Christian, in which EMU had put up 20+ points in each quarter of play.
   Additionally, the effort was the first 100+-point game for Eastern since it put up 104 against Madonna, Dec. 18, 2015.

DOUBLE, DOUBLE-DOUBLE: EMU saw two players have double-doubles in the same game for the 30th time in program history, Nov. 18. Areanna Combs and Juanita Agosto recorded the accomplishment.

RECORD-SETTING EFFORT: EMU set a program record in field goal percentage at 66.7% (54-of-81), against Grace Christian, Nov. 18. That number topped the previous record of 62.5%, which was set at Chicago State, Dec. 19, 1998. Additionally, the effort was the best by any team that has ever played in the Convocation Center.

HECK OF A HALF: The 71 points by the Eagles in the first half of its game against Grace Christian is the second-most in program history, falling just short of the 72 points the Eagles put up in a game against Marygrove, Nov. 14, 2011.

BIG BUCKETS: The 54-made field goals against GCU, Nov. 18, is the second most all-time at the Convocation Center, just behind the 57 made shots EMU recorded against KSU-Tuscarawas, Nov. 14, 2014.

STEAL THE DEAL: EMU recorded 26 swipes in its most recent game, against Grace Christian, Nov. 18. That number, the third-most in Convocation Center history, is the second most by any team in the MAC in a single game this season (WMU - 31 vs. Olivet, Nov. 23).

CAREER-NIGHT FOR COMBS: Redshirt senior Areanna Combs recorded a triple-double for the first time in her career in EMU's 133-45 win over Grace Christian University, Nov. 18. Combs produced 12 points, 11 assists, and 10 steals to become the fourth player in program history to achieve a triple-double, joining former Eagles Stephanie Smiley (11 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists - Jan. 26, 2000), Ryan Coleman (21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists - Feb. 12, 2005), and Cassie Schrock (11 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists - Nov. 16, 2009). Additionally, her triple-double marked just the seventh of the year in by any player in the Division I ranks.
   The Oklahoma City native's assists (11) and steals (10) are both career-highs and rank No. 1 in a single game in the Mid-American Conference this season.

THE RIDICULOUS SIX: Eastern Michigan saw six players score in double-digits in the team's 133-45 victory over Grace Christian, Nov. 18 in redshirt senior Danielle Rainey (21), freshman Treasure Thompson (20), redshirt senior Areanna Combs (12), redshirt junior Juanita Agosto (12), freshman ZaNiya Nelson (11), and redshirt senior Courtnie Lewis (11).
   The scoring frenzy against the Tigers marked the first time the Eagles had five players reach double-digits in scoring since falling to Akron in double overtime, 88-81, Feb. 1, 2020.

ROARING 20s: Freshman Treasure Thompson and redshirt senior Danielle Rainey scored 20 points apiece in EMU's 133-45 win over GCU, Nov. 18. Both numbers are career-highs for the members of the Green and White.
   The duo's 20-plus point performances were also the first since former Eagle Corrione Cardwell and then-sophomore Courtnie Lewis both put up 20 at Western Michigan, Feb. 23, 2019.
   Additionally, Rainey currently ranks third in the Mid-American Conference in field goal percentage 62.5% (15-of-24) and sixth in three-point field goal percentage 58.8% (10-for-17).

BIG NIGHT FOR NITA: It took 80 games, but redshirt junior Juanita Agosto achieved her first career double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Grace Christian University, Nov. 18. Agosto's double-digit scoring outing was her first since dropping 11 on Western Michigan, Feb. 8, 2020. Additionally, the Seattle native paced the team in rebounding against the Tigers, the 10th time in her career that she's led the team in the category.

BOARD GAMES: Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes is no stranger to dominating the paint. The Oklahoma City native has hauled in 22 total rebounds in the team's first two games, including eight on the offensive end. Both of those numbers lead the team.

CAREER-HIGH FOR SKANES: Areanna Combs is not the only player who has shown an increased awareness for passing the rock this year. Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes dished out a career-best three helpers against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 16.

REMEMBER THE TITANS: With its 76-66 victory over Detroit Mercy, Nov. 13, Eastern has now won four-straight over the Titans. For EMU, the winning streak is the best stretch for either team in the series during the modern statistical era (1998-Pres.). Moreover, the Green and White's win evens the all-time series between the two institutions at 15 victories apiece.

A DOUBLE-DIGIT DISPLAY: Four Eagles recorded double-digit efforts in a 76-66 victory against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 13. Ce'Nara Skanes led the way with 19 points, followed by Areanna Combs (18), Danielle Rainey (16), and ZaNiya Nelson (12).
   The last time four Eagles recorded double-digit scoring efforts was against Ball State, Jan. 23, 2021. In the game, Combs scored 19, Skanes dropped 14, former Eagle Jenna Annecchiarico had 12, and Natalia Pineda put up 11.
   Additionally, the Detroit Mercy contest was the first time three members of the Green and White scored 15+ points since Combs recorded 23, former Eagle Corrione Cardwell dropped 20, and Skanes had 19 at Central Michigan, Jan. 20, 2021.

WELL DONE, NELSON: Freshman guard ZaNiya Nelson made the most of her time on the floor against Detroit Mercy, dropping 12 points as she drilled 4-of-7 (57.1%) shots from downtown in a 76-66 victory over the Titans, Nov. 13. The Oklahoma native also put in work on the defensive end, wrangling six rebounds and recording two steals in 32 minutes of action.
   In the Eagles' first two games, the Oklahoma native sits second on the team in three-point makes with three and first in three-point percentage (minimum of five attempts) at 57.1%. Additionally, Nelson's three-point percentage ranks eighth in the Mid-American Conference.

CAN'T LET THEM SCORE 70: Although many factors contribute to the end result of a game, one thing is for certain; 70 is kryptonite for Eastern Michigan. Last season, the team went 0-4 when allowing 70 points in a game. The team is 0-2 in 2021-22. Moreover, EMU is 8-33 when allowing 70+ points since the start of the 2016-17 season.
   When Eastern scored 70, it is 1-0 in 2021-22 and is 15-7 since the 2016-17 campaign.

WELCOME BACK, COURTNIE: EMU senior guard Courtnie Lewis touched the floor for the first time since 2020 in EMU's season-opener against Youngstown State, Nov. 9. The Belton, Mo. native had not seen game action since March 11, 2020 after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2020 preseason.

TRANSFER TOWN, USA: Head Coach Fred Castro has also established one of the most successful transfer destinations in the Mid-American Conference. Eight current Eagles began their careers elsewhere before finding a home in Ypsilanti, including three that came to EMU after stints at 'Power Five' institutions. Additionally, many of the transfers were earning significant minutes at their previous institutions, and had earned all-conference recognition.
   The six transfers on this year's roster that were on the team a season ago, only four of which saw game action, combined to score 741 points (58% of team total), grab 390 boards (49% of team total), rack up 84 steals (49% of team total), and play 1732 minutes (43% of team total) during the 2020-21 season.

THREE INK NLI'S: Wednesday, Nov. 10, was National Signing Day, the day on which high school seniors can official sign their National Letter of Intent to play for the college of their choice.
   Eastern added three players in this year's class in Dara Capaldi, Sophia Nittinger and Olivia Smith. Capaldi, a Madison Heights, Mich. native, averaged 18 ppg, eight rpg, and five apg last season with La Lumiere (Ind.). Nittinger, a 6-2 center, hails from Webster Groves, Mo. and recorded a school-record 57 blocks in her most recent season of play. Smith, from the basketball hot-zone, Fort Wayne, Ind. was an Indiana Junior All-Star last season, averaging 18.7 ppg for Southside High.
   Head Coach Fred Castro will welcome the trio for the 2022-23 campaign.

NEW COACHING ADDITION: Eastern's coaching staff includes one new member for the 2021-22 season. Kevin Mondro joins the women's staff after a 10-year stint with the EMU men's program. Mondro has a 10-year run as a member of the men's basketball program including four as the Associate Head Coach in 2020-21. He has over 20 years of Division I experience, including seven postseason appearances. Mondro was instrumental in the growth of the Eastern Michigan program as a whole and in the successes of the recruiting classes.
   In 10 seasons at EMU, Mondro helped the Eagles turnaround of the men's basketball program, including milestones such as the 2012 Mid-American Conference West Division Championship, a run to the semifinals of the 2017-18 MAC Tournament and a postseason berth for the first time since the 1997-98 season when the Green and White earned a spot in the 2014 CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

See you Soon(er): Women's Basketball Set for Battle at Oklahoma

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Players Mentioned

Juanita Agosto

Areanna Combs

RayJon Harris

Courtnie Lewis

ZaNiya Nelson

Natalia Pineda

Danielle Rainey

Ce'Nara Skanes

Treasure Thompson

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