Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
8-3,0-0MAC
Hillsdale
-76,23 GMAC
Women's Hoops Victorious Over Hillsdale, 76-61
12/28/2022 8:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Skanes led with 23 points while two other Eagles recorded double-doubles
Press Conference | Highlight Video | Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Sophomore Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) and senior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu (London-England-City of London Academy-Robert Morris) both recorded double-doubles to help lead the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team over the Hillsdale College Chargers, 76-61, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Dec. 28.
The double-double efforts by Austin, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Ozzy-Momodu, who had 11 points and 11 rebounds, led the Eagles (8-3) in the contest. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West-Florida International) paced the Eastern scoring effort with 23 points, while adding in seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Ozzy-Momodu pulled down seven offensive rebounds to lead a scoring unit that racked up 10 second-chance points on 15 offensive rebounds.
EMU's defense held Hillsdale to only 39.6-percent shooting from the field. The Chargers did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with five offensive rebounds and managed four second chance points while Eastern Michigan grabbed 29 defensive boards.
How It Happened
After falling behind, 5-2, Eastern Michigan went on a 13-0 run with 6:16 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Skanes, to take a 15-5 lead. The Eagles entered the quarter break with a 22-19 advantage. Eastern relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 22 points.
Hillsdale rallied to take a 30-28 lead before EMU went on an 8-0 run starting at the 2:42 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from freshman Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind.-South Side), to take a 36-30 lead. The Chargers cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 37-34 advantage heading into halftime.
Eastern Michigan surrendered its halftime lead until, with the game tied at 53, it went on a 7-0 run to grab a 60-53 lead with six seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. The Eagles played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 23 points in the paint.
EMU started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a layup from sophomore Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain-IES Ortega y Gasset-LIU), to grow the lead to 67-53 with 5:55 to go in the contest. The Eagles kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 76-61 win. Eastern took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Two Eagles earned double-doubles in the victory over Hillsdale, Dec. 28. It was the first time two Eagles recorded double-doubles in the same contest since the Green and White defeated IUPUI, Nov. 23. In that game, Eke tabbed her first collegiate double-double with 15 points and 11 boards, while Skanes added her 25th career double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
» Eastern Michigan lit it up from three point land, knocking down eight treys in the game. The eight makes ties for the team's season high in triples, doing so on two separate occasions.
» The Eagles held the Chargers to only 39.6 percent shooting from the field. It was the sixth 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 Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team. Tallying 63 total blocks in the 11 games played so far, the Eagles are top 10 in the nation for blocks per game (5.8), holding the 10th spot. Moreover, the Eagles have recorded five or more blocks in every game this season, but two.
» Skanes led the Eagles with a game and season-high 23 points. Additionally, Skanes topped her previous career high two made triples set in two different contests with her four buckets from beyond the arc against the Chargers. The Oklahoma native has recorded a made three-pointer in consecutive games, earning one against Wright State University, Dec. 21. Prior to this season, the junior had only made one trey in her career. This season, Skanes is 11-for-37 in three pointers (29.7%).
» A total of eight players scored all of Eastern's points in the victory over Hillsdale. With this effort, it was the fourth game the Eagles have had eight different players score in a single game this season with the highest being nine Eagles against James Madison University, Dec. 20.
» The Eagles built a three-point lead by halftime in the contest against Hillsdale. It marked the sixth game in which the Eagles have led their opponents heading into halftime this season.
» EMU had four players in double digit points against the Chargers. It was the eighth game in which the team has registered three or more players in double figures and the fifth with four players in double digits this season.
Historical Notes
» With its 76-61 victory over the Chargers, Eastern Michigan continues its undefeated record over Hillsdale, leading the series 3-0.
» Eastern Michigan went 3-1 in its non-league home games one season ago and has topped that record with a 5-2 start at home to begin the 2022-23 campaign. Prior to the loss against UND, Dec. 4, and USI, Dec. 10, this season marks the fifth in the last 10 years that EMU was 4-0 at home to begin a season.
» Skanes' four made triples are the most by an EMU front court player (forward/center) since former Eagle Olivia Fouty hit the same number in a game against Butler University, Nov. 13, 2013.
» With only seven wins the season before, the Eagles are off to a better start with an 8-3 non-conference record before starting MAC play in January. The team's eight non-conference victories are the most for the program ahead of conference play since the 2015-16 campaign when the Eagles won nine.
Up Next
The Green and White will return in the new year to host its first conference contest with Miami University, Jan. 4 inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will broadcast on ESPN+.
