Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
7-20,4-16MAC
Ball State
18-11,11-8MAC
Women's Basketball Falls in Season Finale
3/5/2022 3:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Nine seniors end their career with the Green and White
MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team could not keep up with Ball State University in the regular-season finale, dropping its road affair, 92-58, today, March 5, inside Worthen Arena.
The Eagles (7-20, 4-16 MAC) had three players score in double figures, led by freshman Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial), who had 14 points. Redshirt sophomore Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) tacked on 11 points and nine rebounds, while freshman ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) helped out with 10 points.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 19-15. The Eagles continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 45-31 halftime deficit.
Ball State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 60-37 advantage before EMU went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Nelson, to trim its deficit to 60-43 with 3:55 to go in the third. Ball State countered and stretched its lead to 70-49 heading into the fourth. The Green and White could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 92-58. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its nine points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Nelson knocked down 2-of-5 (.400) from downtown, the third time this season the freshman has hit multiple triples in a game. The guard's last outing against a Division I opponent hitting more than one three-pointer was against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 13, when she connected on 4-of-7 (.571). Coming into the game, the freshman had drilled only one shot from beyond-the-arc in the previous six outings.
» Austin finished the afternoon with 14 points against the Cardinals. The scoring production was her second-best this season and just the second time leading the team in the category. Additionally, her performance this afternoon was her seventh scoring in double-digits and fourth in a five-game stretch. Furthermore, the freshman tied her career-high with six makes from the field. The guard also sank 2-of-4 (.500) from downtown, her first contest with multiple long-range makes since she went 2-of-2 at Miami, Jan. 29.
» Fifty points in the paint is the most Eastern Michigan has allowed in MAC play all season. The previous high mark was also set by Ball State, which hung 38 against the Eagles, Jan. 12. Additionally, this afternoon's game was Eastern's second allowing 90+ total points in conference action.
» Pineda tied her season-high in rebounds (5) and assists (3) against a Division I team.
» Eastern Michigan was held to just 27 points in the second half at Ball State, the eighth time it has been held to that amount or less in a second half during the 2021-22 campaign. The Eagles hold a 0-8 record in those games.
» Eastern Michigan got a game-high nine rebounds from Skanes. In the 2021-22 season, the forward has led EMU on the boards 17 times.
Historical Notes
» Despite the loss, Eastern Michigan still owns a 45-42 edge in the all-time series with Ball State.
Up Next
EMU will return to the State of Michigan where it will soon begin its offseason schedule. For the most up-to-date information on all things EMU women's basketball, visit EMUEagles.com and follow the team on social media, at @EMUWBB.
