Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
7-18,4-14MAC
Toledo
23-4,17-1MAC
Women's Basketball Honors Nine Seniors, Drops Home Contest Against Toledo
2/26/2022 3:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ce'Nara Skanes recorded her team-leading 11th double-double with 13 points, 10 boards
Postgame Recap Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagle.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team got a 28-point showing from the bench, but fell, 75-51, to the University of Toledo, Saturday, Feb. 26, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
The day was highlighted off the court, where nine EMU seniors, alongside their families and friends, were honored with an on-court recognition for their contributions to the program. The seniors include: Juanita Agosto, Terrysha Banner, Areanna Combs, Toyosi Abiola, Natalia Pineda, Kylee O'Hara, RayJon Harris, Courtnie Lewis, and Danielle Rainey.
Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) secured a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Eagles (7-18, 4-14 MAC). Senior Courtnie Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton) added six points and eight rebounds for the Green and White in her last appearance at home, while freshman Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Redford) chipped in as well with nine points off of the bench.
Eastern Michigan forced 14 Toledo turnovers while committing 12 themselves in Saturday's game. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 10 points on the offensive end of the floor. Skanes' three steals led the way for Eastern Michigan.
How It Happened
After falling behind, 4-0, Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run with 8:03 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Skanes, to take a 6-4 lead. Toledo then responded to tie things up at 15-15 heading into the second quarter. Eastern Michigan did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Toledo then took a 23-16 lead before Eastern Michigan responding by going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from senior RayJon Harris (Euclid, Ohio-Euclid) to narrow its deficit to 23-21. The Rockets responded and expanded their lead, leaving the Eagles trailing, 34-23, heading into halftime.
Eastern Michigan's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Eagles faced a 57-41 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Eastern Michigan knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 18 total points.
Eastern Michigan could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 75-51. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 10 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Skanes notched a double-double for the Eagles with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It was her team-leading 11th double-double of the season. She has now reached that mark in 23 of her 45 career games (51%). That percentage is the best of any Eagle.
» The Eastern Michigan bench made an impact by adding 28 points to its scoring output and accounting for 55 percent of the Eagles' total scoring output (51 points). EMU's bench has now scored 56 points off the bench over its last two games. The Eagles have scored 15+ bench points in 12 contests this season.
» Eastern forced Toledo into 14 turnovers, Feb. 26. The game is the fourth in a row in which the Eagles have won the turnover battle and 14th time in conference play that EMU has held the advantage in that category. The Eastern defense has forced 15+ opponent turnovers in 11 of its last 14 games.
» EMU was held to just 51 points in the contests, its lowest since being held to just 48 in its first matchup against the Rockets, Jan. 5.
Up Next
EMU hits the road for a Wednesday night bout with in-state rival, Western Michigan, March 2. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside WMU's University Arena.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
