Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
5-13,2-9MAC
Kent State
12-7,4-6MAC
Women's Basketball Drops Home Contest to Kent State
2/5/2022 4:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Three Eagles scored in double-digits in the effort
Postgame Presser | Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team took a 48-44 advantage into the fourth quarter, but could not hang on and fell 70-61 to Kent State University Saturday, Feb. 5, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Redshirt senior Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) was recognized prior to the contest for recording 1,000 career points earlier in the season. The guard currently boasts 1,157 career points.
The Eagles (5-13, 2-9 MAC) had three players score in double figures, led by Combs, who had 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) added 13 points and seven rebounds while junior Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson) helped out with 12 points.
Eastern Michigan out-rebounded Kent State 45-30 in today's game, led by Combs' nine boards. The Eagles also grabbed 20 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second chance points.
Eastern's defense was effective at taking away the basketball, forcing 15 Kent State turnovers while committing 13 of their own. Those takeaways turned into 13 points on the offensive end of the floor. Freshman Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) led the way individually for the Eagles with two steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 5-2, Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run with 6:02 left in the first quarter to take an 8-5 lead. Kent State then responded to tie things up at 14-14 heading into the second quarter. Eastern did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 14 points close to the basket.
EMU turned the first-quarter tie into a 25-22 lead before going on a 5-0 run to increase its lead to 30-22. The Eagles kept that lead for the remainder of the period and enjoyed a 33-25 advantage heading into halftime.
After intermission, the Green and White held on to its advantage and owned a 48-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Eastern Michigan knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.
Kent State then erased the EMU lead in the game's final quarter for a 70-61 comeback victory. Eastern took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan allowed 25 points in the first half against the Golden Flashes. It is the fewest points Eastern has allowed in a first half all season against a Division I opponent, breaking a previous mark set at Miami, Jan 29, where the Green and White allowed just 28 points in the first half.
» The 25 points allowed by Eastern's defense in a half is also tied for the fewest amount allowed against a Division I opponent this season (25 at FIU, Nov. 27; 25 at Akron, Jan. 26).
» Pineda tallied a season-high 12 points and made two shots from beyond the arc for the Eagles. The guard broke her previous season-high of eight points in her first 19 minutes of action versus KSU (36 minutes total).
» Eastern Michigan lost despite a 45-30 rebounding advantage. It is the eighth time this season the Eagles have won the battle on the boards.
» The EMU defense forced 15 turnovers. It is the 11th time this season that the Eagles have won the turnover battle against its opponent and the seventh time the Eagles have won that battle in MAC play.
» EMU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 20 offensive boards in the game to KSU's five. It is the 11th time this season Eastern has bested its opposition in that category.
» Additionally, the Eagles have gotten 30 percent-or-more of its rebounding production on the offensive end of the floor 12 times during the 2021-22 campaign.
» Combs led the team in points (15), rebounds (nine), and assists (five) on Saturday afternoon. It is the fourth time this season she has produced a 15-5-5 performance.
» EMU had four players pull down at least five rebounds against Kent State. It is only the sixth game this season Eastern has reached that feat.
Historical Notes
» Today marked the 71st all-time meeting between the Eagles and the Golden Flashes. Kent State leads the all-time series 43-28.
» With 15 points, Combs moves into 19th on the all-time scoring ladder with 1,157 points, passing senior Courtnie Lewis (Belton, Mo.Belton) who has 1,147.
Up Next
The Eagles travel to Western New York to take on the University at Buffalo, Feb. 9. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed via ESPN3 and fans can listen on WEMU (89.1 FM).
