Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
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Northwood
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Austin and Ozzy-Momodu lead Eastern Michigan over Northwood, 92-84
11/2/2022 8:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Eagles begin regular-season play Monday, Nov. 7
Postgame Press Conference | Highlight Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team defeated the Northwood University Timberwolves, 92-84, in its home exhibition inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, today, Nov. 2. Sophomore Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) scored 31 points while senior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu (London, England-City of London Academy-Robert Morris) added 21.
Austin and Ozzy-Momodu's stellar scoring performances led the Eagles in the exhibition contest. Austin tacked on seven rebounds and six assists and Ozzy-Momodu added six rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) also helped out with 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Eastern Michigan took advantage of fantastic ball movement, piling up 17 assists on 35 made field goals. Austin's six assists paced the Eagles while sophomore ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) also contributed with three assists of her own.The Green and White did a great job disrupting Northwood's shots in the contest, coming away with eight blocks. Ozzy-Momodu's three rejections led the way individually for the Eagles.
How It Happened
After falling behind 6-5, Eastern Michigan went on a 7-0 run with 8:16 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Ozzy-Momodu, to take a 12-6 lead. The Eagles then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 23-20.
Northwood kept adding to that lead, building a 34-28 advantage before Eastern went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Austin, to tie the game at 34. The Eagles then broke the tie and seized a 45-42 halftime lead. Eastern Michigan dominated in the paint, scoring 16 of its 25 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, EMU continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 57-49 before going on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 65-49 with 4:22 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Timberwolves added to their score, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 70-63 edge. The team played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 25 points in the paint.
Eastern kept its lead intact before going on a 10-0 run, finished off by freshman Elena Cabello's (Malaga, Spain-IES Mediterraneo) three, to grow the lead to 80-66 with 6:55 to go in the contest. The Timberwolves narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still cruised the rest of the way for the 92-84 win. Eastern Michigan took advantage of four Timberwolves turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Eagles shot well from the three-point range, knocking down 7-of-16 long-range attempts which is a total of 43.7 percent. In 2021-22, the Green and White shot better than that from beyond the arc just once, against Grace Christian University, Nov. 18, 2021, when EMU shot 53.6% (15-of-28).
» The Eagles' defense forced 14 turnovers and never trailed in the second half on their way to victory. Eastern's defense forced 14-or-more turnovers on 13 different contests in 2021-22.
» The Green and White were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording eight blocks as a team. Last season, EMU totaled a season-high six blocks on five separate occasions.
» Eastern Michigan tallied 17 total assists in the game. In 2021-22, the Green and White recorded double-digit helpers in seven games, including a season-high versus Grace Christian (31), Nov. 18. In 27 games last season, EMU notched 265 total assists.
» Eastern Michigan cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game. EMU recorded double digit offensive rebounds in all but nine games last season.
» Austin had a game-high 31 points, a mark higher than any total in her collegiate career. Momodu added 21 points in what would be a collegiate best.
Historical
» The Eagles have taken the court with the Timberwolves just once before tonight's exhibition, registering a 53-39 regular-season victory, December 30, 2018 inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Up Next
Monday, Nov. 7 will begin regular season play for the Green and White as both the men's and women's teams will open their 2022-23 seasons by inviting everyone to the George Gervin GameAbove Center for the ultimate "Season Premiere". The women are set to face Lindenwood University with a 5 p.m. tipoff while the men take on Wayne State at 7:30 p.m.
