Women's Hoops Looks to Sweep Season Series Against Western Michigan Wednesday

Women's Basketball vs. Western Michigan
Date	Wednesday, Feb. 24
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Live Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Virtual Program	Click Here on Gameday
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team, winners of five of its last six games, will be back on the court Wednesday, Feb. 24, when it hosts Mid-American Conference and in-state rival Western Michigan University in its annual Play4Kay game. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
   Eastern (10-6, 7-4 MAC) is coming off an impressive 69-59 victory over Toledo, Feb. 21, a contest that saw EMU take the court for the first time in 25 days following numerous postponements. Meanwhile, Western (4-13, 3-12 MAC) has improved its quality of play, winning two of its last three games, including a 71-58 triumph over Kent State in its most recent game, Feb. 17.
   Fans can watch the game on ESPN+, where Ryan Wooley and Lauren Withrow will have the call. The game will also be aired on WEMU 89.1 FM with Tom Helmer brining fans the action.

PLAY4KAY: Wednesday's game will be a special breast cancer awareness game in support of the 'Play4Kay' campaign. Throughout the month of February, high schools and colleges across the nation will take part in such games to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund's mission of supporting scientific research focused on women's cancers, as well as projects assisting the underserved community.
   In her 34-year tenure at North Carolina State University, the late Kay Yow became the first coach to win two Olympic gold medals, guided her teams to 20 NCAA Tournaments and was inducted into 11 halls of fame. However, Coach Yow's legacy in the community extends far beyond the basketball court. Yow founded the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in 2007 before passing away in 2009 after her 22-year battle with breast cancer.

FUNDRAISING EFFORTS: In a normal season, the team would provide numerous in-arena opportunities, such as silent auctions, to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Because general admittance fans will not be allowed at the game this season, the team has switched efforts to online fundraising. As of Feb. 22, the team has secured over $250 in donations through their site at Support.KayYow.com/emuwbb.

MORE THAN A TAGLINE: Cancer is something that touches nearly everyone, and that is true for numerous EMU women's basketball players. As part of the team's effort to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer, members of the team submitted statements that have been published on social media. Some of those statements are included below (SEE PDF).

APPROACHING 1,000: When combining her 229 career points at Oklahoma State and her 768 points at EMU thus far, redshirt senior guard Areanna Combs is approaching the 1,000-career point mark (997 total). She needs just three more points to accomplish the feat.

HAPPY 100: Two Eagles have hit the century mark in games played during the 2020-21 campaign.
   Senior Autumn Hudson played in her 100th game when EMU battled Ball State, Jan. 23. Redshirt senior Corrione Cardwell did the same against Ohio, Jan. 27. Hudson and Cardwell could both break into the top-15 if they are able to reach the 113 mark.

DEFEATING THE YPSI GYPSI: Playing at home is supposed to be an advantage, but it had seemed like anything but for Eastern heading into its matchup with Ohio, Jan. 27.           EMU had just one home win on the season to that point, a 64-46 decision over Akron, Jan. 16, and was just 1-4 overall.
   That changed with EMU's 69-66 victory over the Bobcats, a win that the team will hope to turn into a more consistent accomplishment.
   EMU followed it up with another win at home, an impressive 69-59 win over Toledo, Feb. 21.
   Eastern has 193 wins all-time in the Convo. The team is 31-28 in Ypsilanti under Fred Castro.

HOORAY FOR 400: The EMU women's basketball team helped make history Sunday, Feb. 21, with its 69-59 win over Toledo. The game was not only the team's third straight over the Rockets, its best streak since the 2014-15, 2015-16 seasons, respectively, but it was also the 400th combined win (men's and women's basketball) inside the Convocation Center.
   The building has been home to EMU's basketball programs and volleyball team, as well as administration offices and various other staffers, since it first opened for the 1998-99 campaign.

WILD, WILD WEST (KIND OF): The Mid-American Conference elected to move away from divisional play in 2020-21, but nevertheless, Eastern has fared well against its traditional MAC West Division opponents this season. The Green and White are 4-1 against its usual divisional rivals this year with wins over Ball State - Dec. 2, Western Michigan - Jan. 10, Central Michigan - Jan. 20, and Toledo - Feb. 21. Eastern's average margin of victory in those contests has been 9.25 points.
   Eastern's only West Division setback came in its game versus Ball State, Jan. 23.

LATEST EVER: The month of February was 21 days old before EMU took the court for the first time in it, making it the latest first game in the month for the team in program history. Eastern has had five games postponed this month.

LONGEST EVER: EMU played its first game in 25 days when it defeated Toledo, 69-59, Feb. 21, inside the Convocation Center. That gap is the longest between games in program history (45 years).

THE SENIOR STRIKES: Redshirt senior guard Corrione Cardwell had a career game versus Toledo, Feb. 21, as she dropped 16 points and 11 boards (career-high), to record her first-career double-double. Her double-digit rebounding effort was the first of her career.
   In addition to four big makes from the field, she added a career-best seven points from the charity stripe as she went 7-of-8 in her free throw opportunities. The team's second-leading scorer in the game, Cardwell was still able to produce points for her teammates as well, as she registered four dimes in the contest, which ties her season-high. Defensively, she was stout as well, as she hauled in three steals for the Green and White, a season-high for the Cleveland native.

SERIOUSLY, CE'NARA?: Redshirt sophomore forward Ce'Nara Skanes continues to dominate the post in Mid-American Conference play. After her 13-point, 12-rebound performance versus Toledo, Feb. 21, Skanes now has 10 double-doubles on the season. That number, which leads all active EMU roster members, puts her at 12th all-time in program history.
   In addition to being the league's third-best shot-blocker (19) and second-best double-double candidate (10), she is top-five in numerous other areas, including FG% (49.8 – ranked 3rd), rebounds (162 - ranked 2nd), and rebounds per game (10.9 - ranked 2nd).

DOUBLE DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Corrione Cardwell and Ce'Nara Skanes both recorded double-doubles versus Toledo, Feb. 21. EMU has had three games with multiple double-doubles this season, the most in a single campaign since the 2011-12 squad accomplished the same feat.

JENNA'S GOT THE JUICE: Junior guard Jenna Annecchiarico came to play versus Toledo, Feb. 21. The Baldwin, N.Y. native dumped in a team-leading 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting (50% is second-best shooting effort this season - 57% vs. Ball State, Jan. 23). That effort, her sixth double-digit performance of the season and 30th of her career, was fueled by a season-best five three-point makes.
   Annecchiarico has led EMU in scoring twice this season and 14 times in her career.

DOING IT FROM DEEP: EMU got much needed production from beyond the arc in its win over Toledo, Feb. 21. The Eagles hit a season-best 11 triples (11-for-28; .393) in the contest off the hands of four different shooters.
   EMU's previous high was 10 makes from deep, which came against Southeast Missouri, Dec. 6. That game is also the only other contest in which EMU has shot a better percentage from deep (.400).

COMBS CREATES: Redshirt senior guard Areanna Combs is known for her scoring ability (18.9 ppg), but she has shown a much improved knack for passing this season. Struggling to find her shot versus Toledo, Feb. 21, Combs was productive dishing the rock. She handed out five helpers, which tied her season-high. She has now recorded four five-plus assist games this season, double her production from the 2019-20 campaign.
   Combs finished the Toledo game with just eight points, marking only the second time in her 40-game EMU career that she has failed to score in double figures.

CRAZY CONSISTENT: Consistency has been the name of the game for EMU's offense this season. Eastern, which averages 66.1 points per game, has only two true outliers, both of which saw the team score 70+ points. EMU put up a season-best 77 in a win over Ball State, Dec. 2. Most recently, the Green and White scored 70 to slip past Central Michigan, 70-67, Jan. 20. EMU has scored within two points of its average in six of its contests (38%), and within four points of its average in 14-of-16 games (88%).

EAGLE TRENDS: Who has the hot hand? Who is crashing the boards? How do the current numbers compare to season averages and totals? Take a look at trends from the last five games (SEE PDF).

BEST OF THE BUNCH: The Eagles allow just 61.3 points per game, which is the best of any team in the league. EMU's field goal percentage defense is also first, as opponents shoot just 36.6 percent against the Green and White.

PERK UP, PINEDA: Junior guard Natalia Pineda has established her offensive role for the Green and White over its last six games. Through the first 10 games of the season, Pineda averaged just 4.3 points per game and was 9-of-34 from deep (26%). In Eastern's last six contests, she has elevated her scoring average to 8.0 points per contest, and is shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc (11-of-26). Those numbers have helped Pineda score 10+ points four times in her last six outings, a feat she only accomplished once during EMU's first 10 games. She scored a season-high 13 points on three triple makes (tied season-high) against Ohio, Jan. 27.

BALDWIN BADDIE: Junior guard Jenna Annecchiarico is again proving to be one of the best floor generals in the conference this season. In addition to her 10.3 ppg average, which ranks third on the team, she has been incredible at dishing the rock. The Baldwin, N.Y. native ranks fifth in the conference in assists per game (4.0), and is tied for second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9). She has led the MAC in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the two previous seasons.

CAN'T FORGET ABOUT COMBS: While many have focused on the impressive efforts of her teammates, redshirt senior Areanna Combs is in the midst of a season-long bid for MAC Player of the Year. The Oklahoma City native is averaging 18.9 points per game, which ranks ninth in the league. Moreover, she has scored 10+ points in 14 of EMU's 16 contests, has led the team in scoring 10 times, has notched 20+ points in seven games, and has been EMU's three-point leader in four contests.
   Combs is second in the MAC in steals per game (3.0), and ranks inside the league's top-10 in points (303 - No. 10), field goals (109 - No. 9), attempts (294 - No. 6), and minutes per game (35.1 - No. 8).

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. This season, the team is 0-3 when allowing 70 points in a game. Moreover, EMU is 8-31 when allowing 70+ points since the start of the 2016-17 season.
   When Eastern scores 70, it is 2-0 this season and 14-7 since the 2016-17 campaign.

KEEP THEM UNDER 60: While a team scoring 70 typically favors EMU's opponent, the Eagles are dominant when holding their competition under 60 points in a game. This season, the team is 6-0 when holding its opponents under the 60-point plateau. Furthermore, Eastern is 34-6 during the Fred Castro era (2016-Pres.) when keeping its competition below 60 points.

FIRST HALF FORTUNES: It is often said that games are won in the second half, but Eastern Michigan's stats disagree. EMU is 8-0 this season when leading at the break, and just 2-6 when attempting a second-half comeback. Since the start of the 2016-17 campaign, the Eagles are 36-14 when holding an intermission lead, and just 16-67 when trailing at the half.

SHOOT WELL, AND YOU WILL WIN: The team that has shot the highest percentage from the floor has emerged victorious in 14 of EMU's 16 games this season. That trend holds consistent during the last five seasons; the Eagles are 45-14 when outshooting opponents in that stretch, and are just 10-66 when scoring at a lesser clip than its competition.

PLAY ALL DAY: Junior guard Jenna Annecchiarico is one of the most relied upon players in all of Division I basketball. No player in the MAC has logged more minutes per game than Annecchiarico this season, who checks in at 37.86 per contest.

STEAL THE DEAL: Last season, the Eagles were fantastic at stealing the rock, finishing fourth in the Mid-American Conference with 8.57 steals per game. Redshirt senior Areanna Combs was first on the team and fourth in the MAC with a 2.2 SPG average in 2019-20.
   The Eagles have been great once again in 2020-21. Combs and junior Jenna Annecchiarico are second and 10th in the MAC with their respective 3.0 and 2.2 steals per game averages. Annecchiarico's nine steals against Miami, Jan. 13, is a personal record and is the best by any player in the MAC this season.

ROAD WARRIORS: EMU may be just 3-4 at home this season, but its play on the road has been nearly perfect. The Eagles are 6-1 away from Ypsilanti this season, a record which includes four wins over conference opponents. EMU's lone loss came at the hands of Bowling Green, which bested Eastern, 71-64, Dec. 11.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: Eastern went 5-3 in the month of January this season. That mark ties the best start to the New Year under Fred Castro (2016-Pres.) Eastern has twice previously finished the month of January with a 5-3 record (2017-18, 2019-20) in that span, but is yet to eclipse that mark.

CLOSE CONNECTIONS: Western Michigan Head Coach Shane Clipfell spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, and was the acting head coach for most of the 2006- 07 season when then-head coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave. While serving as the acting head coach at EMU for a majority of the 2006-07 season, he guided the Eagles to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-6 finish in the MAC, good for second place in the West Division. Individually, Sarah VanMetre became the first women's basketball player in program history to be named Academic All-American, Patrice McKinney was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Alyssa Pittman was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.

AGAINST THE BRONCOS: The Eagles and Broncos will meet for the 90th time Wednesday, Feb. 24. A favorable series for the Green and White, EMU holds a 51-38 lead in the all-time count between the two schools.

LAST GAME AGAINST WMU: The only thing that beats a bus ride home after a win is a bus ride home after a rivalry win. That's just the type of trip Eastern made Jan. 10 after downing Western, 67-62, inside Kalamazoo's University Arena.
   The win was the third for Eastern over Western in the last five meetings between the two schools. Additionally, the game marked consecutive contests in which EMU has eliminated a double-digit deficit to emerge victorious on WMU's home court.
   Eastern was led by an impressive effort from Areanna Combs, who scored 26 points on 8-for-20 shooting, including 4-for-7 from deep, a stat that proved critical down the stretch.
   She was joined by yet another double-double effort from redshirt sophomore forward Ce'Nara Skanes, who recorded 14 points and a game-high 16 boards. Jenna Annecchiarico rounded out EMU's trio of double-digit scorers with 10 points of her own.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern will continue its theme of rivalry games as it will remain at home to face Central Michigan Saturday, Feb. 27. EMU is looking for its first season sweep of the Chips since the 2014-15 season.

Women's Hoops Looks to Sweep Season Series Against Western Michigan Wednesday

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Annecchiarico

Corrione Cardwell

Areanna Combs

Autumn Hudson

Natalia Pineda

Ce'Nara Skanes

Eastern Michigan Athletics