Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
5-14,2-10MAC
Buffalo
16-7,10-3MAC
EMU Women's Basketball Drops Road Contest at Buffalo
2/9/2022 9:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Ce'Nara Skanes recorded 12 points and 15 rebounds in the effort
BUFFALO, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team dropped its road contest versus the University at Buffalo, 93-68, tonight, Feb. 9, inside Alumni Arena.
The Eagles (5-14, 2-10 MAC) had three players score in double figures, paced by redshirt senior Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) who scored 18 points on 8-of-14 shots from the field while dishing out five assists. Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) tallied 12 points while redshirt senior Danielle Rainey (Washington, D.C.-Vista Ridge (Florida)) added 10 off the bench.
Defensively, Skanes led all players with 15 rebounds, while freshman Zaniya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) tied her career-high with three swipes. The Eastern Michigan defense caused its share of mistakes in tonight's game, forcing 19 Buffalo turnovers while committing 18. Those takeaways turned into seven points on the offensive end of the floor.
How It Happened
After playing to a 7-7 tie early in the game, Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run with 7:19 left in the first quarter to take a 12-7 lead. The Eagles then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 24-17.
EMU then cut the Bulls' lead to 30-24 before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from senior Courtnie Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton), to narrow its deficit to 30-29. Buffalo responded and expanded its edge, leaving the Eagles trailing 42-34 heading into halftime.
Buffalo continued to increase its advantage after halftime, building a 44-34 lead before Eastern went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Combs, to trim its deficit to 44-39 with 8:39 to go in the third. Buffalo knocked down a few more shots to make it a 66-50 game heading into the fourth. The Green and White could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 93-68.
Game Notes
» The Eastern Michigan defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Eastern Michigan cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Junior Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson) added seven points and knocked down a pair of three-pointers. For Pineda, this was her third game this season with multiple makes from deep.
» With 12 points and 15 rebounds, Skanes now boasts 19 career double-doubles. Her performance against the Bulls marked the seventh of the sort this season. The redshirt sophomore has produced three double-doubles in her last five games. Additionally, her 15 boards is a season-best and the fourth time in her career reaching the 15-rebound plateau.
» Combs dished out five assists in tonight's contest. The guard has recorded six outings with at least five assists so far in the 2021-22 season.
» Including her 18 performances of the nature this season, Combs has now recorded double-digit scoring efforts in 60 of her 63 career games with the Green and White (95.2%). That number is the highest percentage in the Mid-American Conference.
» The Eagles have given up 90+ points one other time this season, falling to Oklahoma on the road, 94-58, Dec. 7.
» EMU recorded 14 offensive boards against the Bulls, which was 34.15% (14-of-41) of its rebound total. The Eagles have gotten 30 percent-or-more of its rebounding production on the offensive end of the floor 13 times during the 2021-22 campaign.
Historical Notes
» Today marked the 30th all-time meeting between the Eagles and the Bulls. The series is now tied, 15-15, with Buffalo coming out on top the last seven matchups between the two schools.
» With 18 points against UB, Combs now sits 18th on the all-time scoring list with 1,175 points. Former Eagle Kristy Maska (1997-2001) is in 17th in program history, having tallied 1,228 in her career.
Up Next
The Eagles will return to Ypsilanti to host the University of Akron, Feb. 12. Saturday's tip is set for 1 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. It is Superhero day on campus; fans will be greeted by Wonder Woman, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Spider-Man, and will also take home a free Block E cape!
