Women's Hoops Set to Welcome Northern Illinois Saturday

Women's Basketball vs. Northern Illinois
Date	Saturday, Jan. 22 \| 2 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| George Gervin GameAbove Center
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF)
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Twitter	.@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team will be back on the court Saturday, Jan. 22, when it welcomes Northern Illinois University to town for a weekend matinee. Tipoff inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center is set for 2 p.m.
   The Eagles (4-8, 1-4 MAC) and Huskies (4-9, 1-4 MAC) are both searching for a much needed win. EMU has dropped three consecutive contests, including a 62-57 decision to Western Michigan in its most recent game, Jan. 19. NIU lost a heartbreaker of its own against Miami, 61-56, the same night.
   The game will be televised on ESPN+ where Greg Steiner (play-by-play), Dannie Rogers (analyst), and Kristy King (sideline) will have the call. Additionally, the team's official Twitter account, @EMUWBB, will provide live updates throughout the contest.

CONTROLLING THE BOARDS: Although EMU ultimately fell to WMU, Jan. 19, the Eagles dominated Western Michigan on the glass, outpacing the Broncos, 42-33. The nine-board advantage is the largest for Eastern in a single game this season (played against a Division I opponent) and snaps a streak of four consecutive games at a rebounding disadvantage. It also marked the third 40+ rebound performance by the team this season. Additionally, the -9 (for WMU) margin is the fourth-worst for Western Michigan this season, and the second-largest negative differential for the Broncos against a non "Power Five," opponent.
   EMU is 3-3 this season when winning the rebounding count, and just 1-5 when falling behind on the glass.

MORE ON THE BOARDS: Part of EMU's impressive rebounding effort against WMU came on the offensive end of the floor. The Eagles grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in the game, their third-highest total in a single game this season and best effort since pulling down 17 against Binghamton, Dec. 10.
   A total of 33.3 percent (14-of-42) of Eastern's total rebounds in the contest came on the offensive glass, which is tied for the fourth-best percentage in a single game this season. EMU has gotten 30 percent or more of its rebounding production from the offensive end of the floor six times during the 2021-22 campaign. The Green and White rank sixth in the MAC with an 11.5 ORPG average.

SECOND CHANCES: The Eagles cashed in on their impressive rebounding efforts by recording 12 second chance points against Western Michigan, Jan. 19. Eastern has scored at least 10 second chance points in eight contests this season.

BUSTING THE BRONCOS: Eastern's defense was much improved in its game against Western, Jan. 19. After giving up 83 points on 52 percent (27-of-52) shooting against Kent State, Jan. 15, the Eagles held WMU to a 39.6 percent clip, the Broncos' seventh-lowest total of the season. Additionally, Western's 62 points are tied for its fifth-fewest in a contest this season. Eastern's 12.4 percent change in scoring defense from the KSU to WMU game is its largest game-over-game improvement of the season.

ONLY SCORED FOUR: The Eastern Michigan defense held Western Michigan to just four total points on just 1-of-13 (7.7%) shooting in the third quarter of its game with the Broncos, Jan. 19. The four points, which ties for EMU's second-lowest defensive allowance in the four quarter-era of women's college basketball (2015-Pres.), is the lowest mark allowed in a single quarter for EMU since it held Miami to the same total mark in a game played Jan. 13, 2021. Miami shot 2-for-14 in that third quarter.
   EMU's best single-quarter defensive effort in the four-quarter era (in both points and FG% defense) came Dec. 10, 2019, when it held Purdue-Fort Wayne to just three points on 1-of-14 (7.1%) shooting in the second quarter of that game.

BIG TIME BUCKETS: EMU averages 70.7 points per game, the sixth-best average in the Mid-American Conference.

COURTNIE CLIMBS THE LADDER: 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 1,135 career points, sitting 19th all-time behind former Eagle Reeshema Wood (1989-93) who tallied 1,158 points. EMU great Tavelyn James (2008-12) owns the top spot in program history, having accumulated 2,470 career points.

THE FIRST 20 MATTERS: Eastern Michigan's first-half play has been largely illustrative of the team's win-loss record this season. All four of Eastern's wins have seen the Eagles take a lead into the intermission, while each of the squad's eight setbacks has included a halftime deficit. Most recently, the Green and White found themselves trailing by two at halftime to Western Michigan, 34-32, ultimately falling 62-57, Jan. 19.
EMU is 40-15 in games in which it held a halftime lead since the onset of the 2016-17 season, and 17-77 in games where it has trailed at the break in that same span.

PLAYING DISCIPLINED: Eastern has been one of the most disciplined teams in the conference in the early portion of the 2021-22 season. The Eagles are fifth in the MAC and rank 60th in the country in fewest fouls (213). Additionally, EMU has been tremendous at taking care of the basketball, ranking second in the league and 24th nationally in fewest turnovers (186).

HIGH PERCENTAGE SHOTS: Eastern has been one of the best shooting teams in the MAC this season. The Eagles have hit 43.2 percent (306-of-708) of their shots from the field this season, good for fourth in the league and 77th nationally. EMU's current best mark under Head Coach Fred Castro came in the 2017-18 campaign when the Green and White shot 40.1 percent from the floor for the season.

LIKE BONNIE AND CLYDE: Eastern Michigan's defense has been full of thievery this season. The Green and White are sixth in the league, averaging 8.8 steals per contest. That number is on track to be the second-best mark under Fred Castro (2016-Pres.). The 2017-18 EMU squad racked up 9.7 steals per contest.

JUICE IN JANUARY: January has been a month-of-moving for EMU under Head Coach Fred Castro. The Eagles have picked up 20 wins during the New Year month since 2017, the most in any month for the team during that span. EMU has finished with a winning record (5-3) three times during that stretch (2018, 2020, 2021).
Additionally, the month has been the best for the program as a whole. EMU has 167 total wins in the month of January, more than any other month.

DEEP THOUGHTS: EMU boasts a three-point percentage of 34.2 in 12 games this season. In the same stretch last year, the Eagles were hitting just 26.4 percent. The 34.2% mark from beyond-the-arc ranks third in the Mid-American Conference and 63rd in the nation. Meanwhile, the team is eighth in the league in three-pointers made per contest at 6.7.
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 six of 12 games.

ANOTHER FOR AGOSTO: Redshirt junior guard Juanita Agosto notched a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) for the Green and White in its most recent game, against WMU, Jan. 19. Agosto's 14 points are a season-best, topping her previous high mark of 12, which came against Grace Christian, Nov. 18. Her 10 rebounds matched her season-best total on the boards, which was also set against GCU. Additionally, Agosto hit a season-high seven field goals in the game against the Broncos. Her previous best was four, against Grace Christian.
   Just the second double-double of her career, Agosto's effort was the best for any Eagle in both points and rebounds for the game. The game marked just the seventh time in her career and the second time this season in which she has reached the 10+-point plateau, and the first time this season that Agosto has led the Eagles in scoring. She has led the team's rebounding efforts in four games this season, and 13 times in her career.

JUANITA'S HUSTLE: Redshirt junior Juanita Agosto has done a little bit of everything for the Eagles as of late. Over the past four games, the Seattle, Wash. native has recorded more assists than any Eagle (9), highlighted by tying her career-high of five dimes at Kent State, Jan. 15. Defensively, the 5'6" guard has also collected the most rebounds (26) on the team.

COURTNIE FOR THREE: Senior guard Courtnie Lewis hit just four three-pointers in her first seven games this season, but has been solid from deep since. The Belton, Mo. native has knocked down nine trey balls in her last four games for a three-point percentage of 42.9. Her nine makes is tied for the team lead during that stretch (Danielle Rainey), while the percentage is the team-best over the last four games.

DEATH, TAXES, DOUBLE DIGITS: If one thing is as certain as can be, it's that Areanna Combs will score 10+ points. Including her 11 performances of the nature this season, Combs has now recorded double-digit scoring efforts in 53 of her 56 career games with the Green and White (94.6%). That number is the highest percentage in the Mid-American Conference.

COOKIES: Redshirt senior Areanna Combs ranks fourth in the MAC in both steals per game (2.5) and total steals (33) this season. Her steals per game average is fourth in the league and 43rd in the nation. Combs set a career-high with 10 steals against Grace Christian, Nov. 18, to help her achieve her first ever triple-double (12 points, 11 assists, 10 steals).

HOT STREAK ENDS FOR RAINEY: Redshirt senior guard Danielle Rainey hit a pair of shots from beyond the arc at Kent State, Jan. 15. The game was her 10th consecutive contest with multiple triples, the longest streak of anyone on the team. She was unable to continue the stretch against WMU, Jan. 19.

SKILLED SKANES: Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes has been skilled around the basket this season for the Eagles, leading the Mid-American Conference in field goal percentage 53.7 percent (58-of-108). Her efficiency this year surpasses her work last year, finishing the 2020-2021 season shooting 49.4 percent (119-of-241) from the floor. Skanes has shot over 50 percent from the floor in seven outings so far this season. Most recently, the center scored 13 points on 4-of-7 (57.1%) from the field, and recorded two assists against Western Michigan, Jan. 19.

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. Rainey has hit 35-of-87 (40.2%) from downtown and has hit at least three shots from beyond the arc in eight contests.
   The Washington, D.C. native's three-point percentage is No. 3 in the MAC and 52nd in the nation. Rainey is fourth in the league in treys made per game (2.92), good for 20th in the country.

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 0-5 in 2021-22. Moreover, EMU is 8-61 when allowing 70+ points since the start of the 2016-17 season.

SHARING IS CARING: Redshirt senior Areanna Combs has tallied 40 assists (3.33 per game) this season. Eleven of Combs' 40 assists came against Grace Christian University, Nov. 18. The 11 dimes against the Tigers tops her previous best, which she set two games prior against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 9 (7). EMU has recorded 10-or-more assists in five games this season.

BLOCK PART(E): EMU is third in the Mid-American Conference in blocks per game (3.5). Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes leads the team with 14 rejections and is fourth in the MAC with 1.1 blocks per game while freshman Treasure Thompson sits fifth in the league with one block per contest.
The Eagles have recorded at least five blocks in three contests so far this season, rejecting 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.

WELCOME TO THE 1K CLUB: Redshirt senior Areanna Combs made history Saturday, Jan. 15, when she notched 13 points to become Eastern Michigan's 24th 1,000-point scorer. Combs, who has been on court with the Eagles since the 2019-20 season, needed just 55 games to hit the total, an average of more than 18 ppg.
   Combs joins teammate Courtnie Lewis as the only active players to have hit the milestone.

TWO GRAND TEAMMATES: Upperclassmen Courtnie Lewis (1,129) and Areanna Combs (1,005) are the first Eagle teammates to share the court as 1,000-point scorers since the 2016 season, when Cha Sweeney (2013-16) and Janay Morton (2013-16) had both hit the milestone.

ONE AWAY FROM THE TOP: Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes continues to climb EMU's all-time double-double ladder. Skanes has five double-double outings this season and 16 as a member of the Green and White. She is one behind all-time leaders Sarah VanMetre (2003-07) and Oliva Fouty (2010-14).

BACK IN #MACTION: The Green and White's 2021-22 campaign marks the 41st season EMU will compete as a member of the MAC. Playing a league schedule since the 1981-82 campaign, EMU has compiled a 295-373 record against conference opponents all-time.

RING CHASING: Eastern is in search of its first conference championship since 2012. That year, the Eagles captured both the MAC West and MAC Tournament titles.
   As a program, EMU has claimed four division crowns (2004, 2006, 2008, 2012) and two tournament championships (2004, 2012).

CHASING 200: The Eastern Michigan women's basketball program has racked up 197 total wins inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center (renamed Dec. 11, 2021) 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.

ALL-TIME VERSUS NIU: EMU and NIU will meet for the 58th time Saturday. The Eagles hold a 38-19 advantage in the all-time series over the Huskies. However, Northern Illinois has won four of the last six meetings, including the most recent matchup.

LAST TIME AGAINST THE HUSKIES: Three Eagles scored in double-digits but could not overcome the Huskies' sharp shooting, falling 75-66, inside NIU's Convocation Center, March 2, 2021. Then-redshirt junior Areanna Combs led EMU with 17 points and produced five steals and one block on the defensive end.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS: Northern Illinois' A'Jah Davis leads the league in rebounds per game with 11.4 and is third in total rebounds at 148. As a team, the Huskies pace the conference in total rebounds per game with 43.1 boards per outing. Additionally, NIU is the best team in the MAC at the free throw line, sinking 75.3 percent of its shots from the stripe.

ON THE HORIZON: Following Saturday's game with Northern Illinois, the Green and White will remain at home to host Bowling Green on Monday, Jan. 24. The opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the Gervin GameAbove Center.

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Players Mentioned

Juanita Agosto

Areanna Combs

Courtnie Lewis

Danielle Rainey

Ce'Nara Skanes

Treasure Thompson

Eastern Michigan Athletics