Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
7-3,0-0MAC
Wright State
1-11,0-2Horizon
Women's Hoops Closes out 27th Hawk Classic with 66-54 Victory over Wright State
12/21/2022 2:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ce'Nara Skanes led the Eagles with 22 points
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team found success from the field, making 28 shots on the way to a 66-54 victory over Wright State University, in the final contest of the 27th Hawk Classic hosted by Saint Joseph University inside Hagan Arena located in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 21.
The Eagles (7-3) had two players score in double figures, led by junior Ce'Nara Skanes (Okalhoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West-FIU), who had 22 points and four assists. Sophomore Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) tacked on 14 points, four assists and two steals and sophomore Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain-IES Ortega y Gasset-Long Island) added six points and 13 rebounds.
Eastern Michigan out-rebounded Wright State 43-20 in the game, led by Eke's 13 boards. The Eagles also collected 13 offensive rebounds and scored 15 second chance points.
The Eastern Michigan defense held Wright State shooters to just 38.6 percent from the field. The Raiders did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only four offensive rebounds and scored zero second chance points while Eastern Michigan pulled down 30 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 14-11.
Wright State kept adding to that lead, building a 24-18 advantage before Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 24. Neither team was able to gain an edge by halftime, as the two squads entered the break tied at 26-26. EMU forced three Wright State turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.
After intermission, the Green and White jumped out to a 42-36 lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from senior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu (London, England-City of London Academy-Robert Morris), to expand its lead further to 49-36 with 1:05 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Raiders had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 51-39 edge. Eastern Michigan played well near the basket, scoring 20 of its 25 points in the paint.
Eastern started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Austin's jumper, to grow the lead to 58-39 with 8:24 to go in the contest. The Raiders narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still cruised the rest of the way for the 66-54 win. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 15 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» With the Green and White's 43 boards against Wright State, Dec. 21, the Eagles have recorded a total of 400 rebounds thus far. The team's 39.7 boards per game average ranks second in the conference, while Skane's 8.0 rebounds per game ranks fifth in the MAC. Moreover, Eke, who collected a game-high 13 rebounds, moved to seventh in the league for rebounds per game (7.0).
» Eastern Michigan tallied six steals in the game with Wright State, Dec. 21. It was the team's ninth consecutive contest with five or more robberies. Additionally, Austin's two steals gives her 20 on the season, ranking fifth in the MAC for steals per game (2.3). She has had a steal in every contest she has appeared in this season, but two.
» Eastern Michigan held the Raiders to only 38.6% shooting from the field. It is the fifth time this season the team has kept its opponent from shooting above 40 percent from the field. In all instances, Eastern has out-shot its competitors.
» The Green and White collected 17 total helpers in the contest. The 17 assists mark's as a season high for the team, topping its previous 16 at SIU-Edwardsville, Nov. 13. The last time the Eagles provided 17 or more helpers in a single game was in the road win over Central Michigan University, when the Eagles defeated the Chippewas, 83-70, with 18 total assists, inside McGuirk Arena, Feb. 19.
» Skane's 22 points against the Raiders defense mark's as a season high for the junior, topping her previous 18 set at Xavier, Dec. 17. Additionally, this was her seventh game of the season in which she has recorded double-digit points, and her fourth recording a bucket made from the three-point line.
Historical Notes
» In their eighth meeting with the Raiders, the Eagles are a clean 8-0 against the Horizon league member. The two teams have been meeting since 1987 with tonight's contest being the first in a neutral site.
» With only seven wins the season before, the Eagles are off to a better start with a 7-3 non-conference record before starting MAC play in January. The team will face one more out of conference competitor, Hillsdale College, Dec. 28.
Up Next
Following the St. Joe's Classic, the team will enjoy a week off for a holiday break before hosting Hillsdale College, Saturday, Dec. 28, with a 7 p.m. tip-off inside the George Gervin GameABove Center. The contest is set to be broadcast on ESPN+.
