Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
3-5,0-1MAC
Toledo
9-3,3-0MAC
Women's Hoops Falls in MAC-Opener at Toledo
1/5/2022 8:54:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Rainey knocks down four three-pointers in Eagles' loss
TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team dropped its first Mid-American Conference matchup of the year against the University of Toledo, 64-48, tonight, Jan. 5, inside the Savage Arena.
The Eagles (3-5, 0-1 MAC) were led offensively by redshirt senior Danielle Rainey (Washington, D.C.-Vista Ridge (Florida)) with 16 points as she hit 4-of-11 (.364) shots from deep. Classmate Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) added 13 points and a team-best four assists in the effort.
On the defensive end, redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) grabbed six rebounds, came up with two steals, and recorded one block. Meanwhile, freshman Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) also came up with six rebounds while classmate Zaniya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) hauled in two boards and swatted one Rockets' shot.
How It Happened
The first quarter saw EMU jump out to a 9-3 lead to which the Rockets responded with a few buckets of their own. Senior Courtnie Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton) was solid, producing five points in the opening stanza as the Eagles led 18-15 after one. The Green and White were held to just six points in the second quarter while UT finished the period on a 16-2 run to take a 33-24 lead going into halftime.
Toledo's advantage grew to 15 points, 39-24, with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. Eastern's offense heated up with a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to several minutes later. With the Eagles trailing by double-digits, Rainey knocked down a pair of three-pointers to bring the Eagles back within striking distance, 51-44, with just over five minutes to play. The Rockets finished strong, however, hitting five of their last six shots to capture the win, 64-48.
Game Notes
» With two steals against the Rockets, Combs has recorded seven multi-swipe performances so far this season.
» Skanes also had a pair of steals, tying her career-high.
» Combs paced the Eagles with four assists, her sixth game this season with at least three dimes.
» Four Eagles hauled in five-or-more rebounds: Skanes (6), Austin (6), Combs (5), Rainey (5).
» Combs has now recorded double-digit scoring efforts in 50 of her 52 career games with the Green and White (96.2%).
» With four makes from deep tonight, Rainey now has four performances with four-or-more trey balls while donning the Green and White.
» Skanes swatted one shot against UT, her sixth game in the 2021-22 campaign with at least one rejection.
» Nelson recorded the first block of her career.
Historical Notes
» The Rockets lead in the overall series, 53-35, however, EMU has won three of the last five meetings.
Up Next
Eastern Michigan returns to Ypsilanti for a contest against Central Michigan, Saturday, Jan. 5. Tipoff inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center is set for 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN3 and WEMU (89.1 FM). For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU women's basketball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media, at @EMUWBB.
