Women's Hoops set to Close 2020-21 Home Schedule Versus Central Michigan

Women's Basketball vs. Central Michigan
Date	Saturday, Feb. 27
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 is set to close its 2020-21 home schedule with a Mid-American Conference battle against in-state foe Central Michigan University Saturday, Feb. 27. The game, which is the back end of a men's/women's doubleheader, is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
   Implications couldn't be higher as Eastern (10-7, 7-5 MAC) is yet to clinch its berth into the MAC Tournament, which will be played March 10-13 inside Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Eagles will face a Central (13-8, 11-6 MAC) team that is battling to secure its seed placement as well.
   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 bringing fans the action.

SENIOR DAY: Saturday will be a special day inside the Convocation Center as the EMU women's basketball team is set to honor six individuals as part of its annual Senior Day Celebration.
   Corrione Cardwell, Areanna Combs, Autumn Hudson, and JaBria Knight will suit up in the Convo for the final time as each individual will move on from the program following the conclusion of the season.
   In addition to the four players, the team will also be honoring two dedicated student managers, Charvella Hancock and Roehl Publico, who have worked tirelessly to support the program for multiple years.
   Although the game will look different as far as general admittance fan attendance goes, the families of the players and managers will be in the stands to support their loved ones, which will certainly provide for many special moments during the event.

WHERE DO WE STAND: With the MAC Tournament fast approaching, each game is incredibly important for qualification and seeding in the conference's marquee event. Different from past years, only the top eight teams from both the men's and women's sides will earn a bid to the postseason festivities. In the past, each of the 12 member schools would participate in the tournament, with first round games being played at campus sites. This year's participants will head straight to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
   If the tournament started today, EMU would arrive as the No. 8 seed and match up against the No. 1-seeded Bowling Green Falcons. Take a look at the current standings below:

COMBS CRACKS 1,000: Redshirt senior guard Areanna Combs not only led the team in scoring against WMU, Feb. 24, with 12 points, but she also accomplished an incredible milestone in the first quarter of the game. The highlight came at the 2:48 mark, as Combs dropped in a mid-range jumper to not only give EMU a much-needed bucket, but to put her over the 1,000 point mark in her career. Combs started her college career at Oklahoma State, where she scored better than 200 points in two seasons before transferring to Eastern Michigan.
   The Oklahoma City native has scored an impressive 780 points in just 41 career games with the Green and White, good for a 19.0 points per game average.

TERR(YSHA)ING IT UP: Junior guard Terrysha Banner came to play against Western Michigan, Feb. 24. The first-year Eagle and Tennesse State transfer notched personal-bests in multiple categories, including points (10), field goals (4), three-pointers (2), minutes (28), assists (3), and steals (3).
   Banner's three assists led the team, while her point and steal numbers were both good for second-best among the Green and White in the game.
   After averaging just 5.6 minutes per contest in her first five appearances this season, Banner's numbers have skyrocketed over the course of the last three games. She is averaging 26.7 minutes per game in that stretch, which is the most of any role player on the team and sixth-most among the Eagles.

RAYJON READY: Redshirt junior RayJon Harris had not seen game action since Jan. 16 versus Akron, but that did not stop her from making great contributions in her seven minutes against Western Michigan, Feb. 24. The Euclid, Ohio native came off the bench to score five points on 3-of-4 shooting and hauled in three boards in her short stint of play.
   Although Harris has seen action in just 10 games this season, she has made the most of every opportunity, scoring five-plus points in six of the contests.

SERIOUSLY, CE'NARA?: Redshirt sophomore forward Ce'Nara Skanes continues to dominate the post in Mid-American Conference play. The Oklahoma City product led the team's rebounding efforts (13) for the 14th time this season, versus Western Michigan, Feb. 24.
   Skanes rebounding ability has helped her record 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% (49.0 – ranked 3rd), rebounds (187 - ranked 2nd), and rebounds per game (11.0 - ranked 2nd).

CRAZY CONSISTENT: Consistency has been the name of the game for EMU's offense this season. Eastern, which averages 65.5 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 (35%), and within four points of its average in 14-of-17 games (82%).

TRYING TO GET BACK ON TRACK: EMU put up a season-low 56 points against Western Michigan, Feb. 24. The struggle was in large part due to EMU's perfromance from the floor, in which it shot a season-low 30.2 percent (19-for-63). The Eagles, just one game after knocking in a season-best 11 triples, struggled from deep as well, as the squad hit just 4-of-24 attempts from the long line.

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.

BEST OF THE BUNCH: The Eagles allow just 61.6 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 36.7 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 seven 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 seven contests, she has elevated her scoring average to 7.6 points per contest and is shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc (12-of-31). Those numbers have helped Pineda score 10+ points four times in her last seven 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 10.1 ppg average, which ranks third on the team, she has been incredible at dishing the rock. The Baldwin, N.Y. native is tied for sixth in the conference in assists per game (3.8), and is third in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8), just one-tenth of a point behind the MAC leaders (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 18.5 points per game, which ranks ninth in the league. Moreover, she has scored 10+ points in 15 of EMU's 17 contests, has led the team in scoring 11 times, has notched 20+ points in seven games, and has been EMU's three-point leader in four contests.
   Combs is fourth in the MAC in steals per game (2.8), and ranks inside the league's top-10 in points (315 - No. 10), field goals (115 - No. 10), attempts (313 - 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 2-7 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 16-68 when trailing at the half.
   Most recently, EMU fell to Western Michigan, Feb. 24, after trailing by 16 at the half.

SHOOT WELL, AND YOU WILL WIN: The team that has shot the highest percentage from the floor has emerged victorious in 15 of EMU's 17 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 10-67 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 37.9 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 3-5 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 that includes four wins over conference opponents. EMU's lone loss came at the hands of Bowling Green, which bested Eastern, 71-64, Dec. 11.

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. Hudson currently sits at 103 games, while Cardwell is at 102.

THE YPSI GYPSI: Playing at home is supposed to be an advantage, but it has seemed like anything but for Eastern this season.
       EMU is just 3-5 inside the Convocation Center this season, with four losses coming at the hands of Mid-American Conference opponents. The team is 31-32 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 4-2 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 setbacks came versus Ball State, Jan. 23, and Western Michigan, Feb. 24.

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).

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.

CHIP DIP: Saturday's contest marks the 91st meeting between the Chippewas and Eagles, who first met during the 1976-77 season. CMU leads the overall series, 54-36. EMU has won 23 of the last 45 meetings dating back to the 2000-01 campaign, but Central enters the clash as winners of 13-of-14. EMU got the best of CMU in the first meeting between the two squads, 70-67, Jan. 20, in Mount Pleasant.

LAST TIME AGAINST CMU: Eastern was flying high as it defeated Central, 70-67, Jan. 20, inside CMU's McGuirk Arena.
   The win put an end to a 13-game win streak for Central Michigan, who had previously bested Eastern in every matchup between the two schools since 2016-17. Prior to the victory, Eastern's last win over Central was March 7, 2015, which also came on the road.
   EMU was led by incredible performances all around the floor. Individually, three Eagles put up double-figure performances, as redshirt seniors Areanna Combs and Corrione Cardwell, along with redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes, put up 23, 20, and 19 points, respectively. Those efforts secured the 12th and 13th performance of 10+ points this season for Combs and Skanes, respectively. It was the first such performance for Cardwell this season.

LAST TIME AT THE CONVO: EMU was dropped by Central, 89-82, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 inside the Convocation Center. Despite holding a small lead going into the final quarter, the Eagles were not able to overcome the Chippewas' hot shooting.
   Areanna Combs scored a team-best 19 points while tying her career-high with 11 rebounds. The Oklahoma City, Okla. native's performance marked her second time obtaining a double-double. Former Eagle Aaliyah Stanley reached double-digits in scoring as well with 13 points while dishing out two assists. Additionally, then-sophomore Jenna Annecchiarico attained 10 points and registered a steal for the 10th straight game.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern is set to close the regular season with a pair of road games, beginning with a trip to Northern Illinois University Wednesday, March 3. Tipoff from DeKalb is slated for 7 p.m. CT.

Women's Hoops set to Close 2020-21 Home Schedule Versus Central Michigan

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Annecchiarico

Terrysha Banner

Corrione Cardwell

Areanna Combs

RayJon Harris

Autumn Hudson

JaBria Knight

Natalia Pineda

Ce'Nara Skanes

Aaliyah Stanley

Eastern Michigan Athletics