Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
9-6,1-3MAC
Buffalo
8-5,3-1MAC
Women’s Hoops Falls Short in Game at Buffalo
1/14/2023 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Eagles look forward to Kent State, Jan. 17
BUFFALO, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team produced a 19-point performance from the bench, but fell, 78-59, to the University at Buffalo Bulls on the road Saturday, Jan. 14.
The Eagles (9-6, 1-3 MAC) had two players score in double figures, led by Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West), who had 11 points and seven rebounds. ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West) added 10 points off of the bench and Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) added nine points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Eastern Michigan out-rebounded Buffalo, 43-32, in Saturday's game, led by Austin's nine boards. The Eagles also collected 19 offensive rebounds and scored 18 second-chance points.
How It Happened
After playing to a 5-5 tie early in the game, EMU went on a 5-0 run with 7:14 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from senior Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson), to take a 10-5 lead. The Eagles then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 17-14.
Buffalo kept adding to its lead, building a 23-15 advantage before Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run to narrow its deficit to 23-20. Buffalo responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Eagles trailing 33-23 heading into halftime.
The Bulls continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 37-25 advantage before Eastern went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Austin, to trim its deficit to 37-30 with 6:26 to go in the third. Buffalo countered and stretched its lead to 54-37 heading into the fourth. The Green and White played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 14 points in the paint.
Buffalo kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 75-50 advantage before Eastern Michigan went on a 7-0 run to shrink the deficit to 75-57 with 36 seconds to go in the contest. Buffalo responded and outscored the Eagles the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 78-59. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 22 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Eastern Michigan bench came alive by adding 19 points to its scoring output. With its season-high 28 bench points against James Madison University, EMU has registered 19 or more points off the bench in six contests this season.
» The Eagles collected a season-high 19 offensive rebounds against the Bulls. It was the 13th game in which the Green and White have given themselves double-digit second chances and the fourth with 15 or more. Additionally, Eastern added 18 second-chance points. EMU has registered 18 or more second chances in six contests this season.
» With her "and-one" early in the contest against the Bulls, sophomore Kyndal Lewis(Belton, Mo.-Belton) has drawn a foul in seven of the 11 games she has appeared in this season (63%), an improvement from last year. With only two made free throws on six attempts the season before, Lewis has had a major improvement totaling 29 free throw attempts with 14 makes (48%), thus far.
» Skanes led the Eagles in triples with two makes from beyond the arc. Prior to this season, the junior had only made one three in her career. This season, Skanes has made 13 three-point baskets. She has now led the team in three-point makes four times this season.
Historical Notes
» Today's matchup marked the 31st meeting between Eastern Michigan and Buffalo. Buffalo now leads, 16-15, and has won eight straight contests. The Eagles hold the longest win streak between the two programs, winning nine straight in seven years (2003-2010).
Up Next
The Green and White remain on the road as the team takes a trip to Kent, Ohio to meet with the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. The contest is slated for Wednesday, Jan. 18, with a 7 p.m. tip.
