Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, March 3
DeKalb, Ill.
6 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan University
at
Northern Illinois
Women's Basketball Heads to Land of Lincoln to Battle Northern Illinois
3/1/2021 3:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Eastern looks to improve its seeding ahead of the MAC Tournament, March 10-13
| Women's Basketball at Northern Illinois | |
| Date | Wednesday, March 3 |
| Venue | DeKalb, Ill. | NIU Convocation Center |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU 89.1 FM |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball will begin the final week of its regular season with a Mid-American Conference battle against Northern Illinois University Wednesday, March 3. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. CT inside the NIU Convocation Center.
Although Eastern (10-7, 7-5 MAC) has already clinched a berth in the MAC Tournament, set to be played March 10-13 inside Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, this game will play a critical role in seeding. As of today, Nothern (11-10, 9-7 MAC) sits one spot behind Eastern in the No. 8 position.
Fans can watch the game on ESPN+. The game will also be aired on WEMU 89.1 FM with Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner bringing fans the action.
SENIOR DAY: Saturday, Feb. 27, was a special day as the EMU women's basketball team, despite having its game against Central Michigan postponed, honored six individuals as part of its annual Senior Day Celebration.
Corrione Cardwell, Areanna Combs, Autumn Hudson, and JaBria Knight are each set to move on from the program following the conclusion of the season.
In addition to the four players, the team also honored two dedicated student managers, Charvella Hancock and Roehl Publico, who have worked tirelessly to support the program for multiple years.
With the game postponed, the team instead hosted a private ceremony for family and friends inside the Convocation Center. Each student-athlete and manager was honored with a video tribute before being presented a framed jersey and given the opportunity to take pictures with coaches and family.
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. 7 seed and match up against the No. 2-seeded Ohio Bobcats. Take a look at the current standings below in the right panel (SEE PDF).
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 Tennessee 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 (1.1 BPG) 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 performance 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.
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.
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).
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 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-11 in points (315 - No. 11), field goals (115 - No. 11), attempts (313 - No. 7), and minutes per game (35.1 - No. 9).
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 fourth and seventh 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.
ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHERN: Wednesday's tilt between Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois will be the 57th meeting between the two squads all-time. EMU holds the edge, leading the series 38-18, but NIU has taken three of the last five meetings. The teams split their two regular season meetings last season, while EMU also beat the Huskies in the first round of the 2020 MAC Tournament in Ypsilanti.
LAST TIME AGAINST NIU: Trailing by as many as 12 points in the opening half, Eastern came back to eliminate Mid-American Conference rival Northern Illinois, 76-69, from the conference tournament (first round) Monday, March 9 inside the EMU Convocation Center. The Eagles had three players reach double-figures as Corrione Cardwell, Areanna Combs, and Courtnie Lewis all hit that mark.
Combs led the way in scoring for the Eagles with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and a trio of steals. Her double-digit rebounding performance marked her fourth of the season. Lewis dropped 21 points, her second-highest scoring performance ever, shooting 6-of-7 from the charity stripe and adding four boards. Meanwhile, Cardwell finished with 15 points while pacing the team in assists with four.
LAST TIME AT NIU: Eastern closed a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to three, 56-53, with two minutes remaining, but was unable to finish off the late-game comeback against its Mid-American Conference West Division foe, Northern Illinois Feb. 26, at the NIU Convocation Center. The Eagles ultimately fell, 65-59.
EMU was led by guard Areanna Combs, who dropped 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting to lead all scorers in the game. The performance was, at the time, her 19th-consecutive double-digit scoring effort. The streak is now at 22.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern is set to close the regular season at Toledo, March 6. before heading to Cleveland for the conference tournament Wednesday-Saturday, March 10-13. The Eagles will battle the Rockets at 2 p.m. inside Savage Arena.
Although Eastern (10-7, 7-5 MAC) has already clinched a berth in the MAC Tournament, set to be played March 10-13 inside Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, this game will play a critical role in seeding. As of today, Nothern (11-10, 9-7 MAC) sits one spot behind Eastern in the No. 8 position.
Fans can watch the game on ESPN+. The game will also be aired on WEMU 89.1 FM with Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner bringing fans the action.
SENIOR DAY: Saturday, Feb. 27, was a special day as the EMU women's basketball team, despite having its game against Central Michigan postponed, honored six individuals as part of its annual Senior Day Celebration.
Corrione Cardwell, Areanna Combs, Autumn Hudson, and JaBria Knight are each set to move on from the program following the conclusion of the season.
In addition to the four players, the team also honored two dedicated student managers, Charvella Hancock and Roehl Publico, who have worked tirelessly to support the program for multiple years.
With the game postponed, the team instead hosted a private ceremony for family and friends inside the Convocation Center. Each student-athlete and manager was honored with a video tribute before being presented a framed jersey and given the opportunity to take pictures with coaches and family.
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. 7 seed and match up against the No. 2-seeded Ohio Bobcats. Take a look at the current standings below in the right panel (SEE PDF).
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 Tennessee 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 (1.1 BPG) 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 performance 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.
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.
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).
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 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-11 in points (315 - No. 11), field goals (115 - No. 11), attempts (313 - No. 7), and minutes per game (35.1 - No. 9).
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 fourth and seventh 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.
ALL-TIME AGAINST NORTHERN: Wednesday's tilt between Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois will be the 57th meeting between the two squads all-time. EMU holds the edge, leading the series 38-18, but NIU has taken three of the last five meetings. The teams split their two regular season meetings last season, while EMU also beat the Huskies in the first round of the 2020 MAC Tournament in Ypsilanti.
LAST TIME AGAINST NIU: Trailing by as many as 12 points in the opening half, Eastern came back to eliminate Mid-American Conference rival Northern Illinois, 76-69, from the conference tournament (first round) Monday, March 9 inside the EMU Convocation Center. The Eagles had three players reach double-figures as Corrione Cardwell, Areanna Combs, and Courtnie Lewis all hit that mark.
Combs led the way in scoring for the Eagles with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and a trio of steals. Her double-digit rebounding performance marked her fourth of the season. Lewis dropped 21 points, her second-highest scoring performance ever, shooting 6-of-7 from the charity stripe and adding four boards. Meanwhile, Cardwell finished with 15 points while pacing the team in assists with four.
LAST TIME AT NIU: Eastern closed a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to three, 56-53, with two minutes remaining, but was unable to finish off the late-game comeback against its Mid-American Conference West Division foe, Northern Illinois Feb. 26, at the NIU Convocation Center. The Eagles ultimately fell, 65-59.
EMU was led by guard Areanna Combs, who dropped 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting to lead all scorers in the game. The performance was, at the time, her 19th-consecutive double-digit scoring effort. The streak is now at 22.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern is set to close the regular season at Toledo, March 6. before heading to Cleveland for the conference tournament Wednesday-Saturday, March 10-13. The Eagles will battle the Rockets at 2 p.m. inside Savage Arena.
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