Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
11-8,3-5MAC
Toledo
15-4,6-2MAC
Eagles fall to Toledo 79-73 in Overtime
1/28/2023 3:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Skanes ties career high 23 points to lead Eastern
Press Conference | Highlight Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team fell 79-73 to the University of Toledo inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Saturday, Jan. 28. Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West-Florida International) knocked in a game tying shot with 16 seconds left to tie it up at the end of regulation, but it wasn't enough for the Eagles as the Rockets outscored the home team 13-7 in the overtime period to grab the win.
The Eagles (11-8, 3-5) saw three players score in double figures, led by Skanes, who recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain-IES Ortega y Gasset-LIU) tacked on a double-double off the bench with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Waynne Memorial) chipped in with 13 points, seven assists and two steals.
Eastern Michigan took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 17 assists on 29 made field goals. Austin's seven assists were the most among all Eagles.
The Eagles did an impressive job disrupting Toledo shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Eke's three rejections led the way individually for the Eagles.
How It Happened
After playing to an 8-8 tie early in the game, Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run with 3:56 left in the first quarter to take a 14-8 lead. The Eagles then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 20-13 advantage. The Green and White did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Eastern kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 6:14 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 31-21. The Rockets cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 35-29 advantage heading into halftime. EMU dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.
The Eagles continued to preserve their halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a three from Skanes, to expand their lead further to 47-35 with 4:38 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, Toledo had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Green and White still entered the fourth quarter with a 49-42 edge. Eastern Michigan knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 14 total points.
EMU kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 56-44 with 5:57 to go in the fourth. The Rockets then fought back to even things up at 66-66 and send the game to overtime. EMU took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 17 points in the paint.
Toledo then took control in overtime and won 79-73.
Game Notes
» Eke recorded her fourth career double-double as she tied her season-high 15 points and collected 11 rebounds in the loss to the Rockets. Her performance marked the fifth game this season that the Spaniard has recorded a double-digit scoring effort.
» Eke added another three blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to bring her season total to 33 in 19 games, a team best. The sophomore sits in first place in total blocks and second for blocks per game in the conference, averaging 1.8 blocks per game on the season. Eke has posted six games with three or more blocks with a season high four rejections set against Southern Indiana, Dec. 10.
» Austin dropped 10 points for Eastern Michigan and dished out seven assists. Her seven helpers tied her season-high set Nov. 7 against Lindenwood. The guard has reached the double-digit point plateau in 12 of 19 games that the Green and White has played in this season.
» Skanes tied her career-high of 23 points in the loss, as she grabbed nine rebounds and shot 10-16 from the field. Her effort marks the third time that the forward has shot at least 60% from the field, achieving the mark on Dec. 17. at Xavier and Dec. 21 against Wright State.
» Eastern Michigan outrebounded the Rockets, 39-35. The team's performance marked the 10th time this season that the Eagles have outrebounded their opponent.
» The Green and White posted five blocks this afternoon to boost the team's defense. The effort marked the 11th time this season the Eagles have recorded five or more blocks. Eastern Michigan tallied a season high 10 blocked shots against Southern Indiana, Dec.10.
» Eastern Michigan grabbed nine steals in the loss against Toledo, the fifth time this season that the Eagles recorded nine or more steals in a game.
» The Eagles played in their second overtime game of the 2022-23 season. After the team's 66-61 win over Northern Illinois at home Jan. 21. Eastern Michigan now possesses a record of 1-1 in overtime games this season.
» EMU scored 20 points in the first quarter against Toledo, marking the 11th contest this season in which the Eagles as a team scored 15 or more points in the opening quarter. Additionally, the 20 points in the first 10 minutes of play was just two points shy of the team's high, 22 points set against Florida A&M, Nov. 19, and Hillsdale College, Dec. 28.
» The Eagles shot 48.3 percent from the field. The shooting effort is just the fourth time this season in which Eastern Michigan has shot at least 48 percent from the field.
Historical Notes
» Today's competition marked the 90th all-time matchup between the Eagles and the Rockets. Toledo leads the all-time series 55-35.
» The two overtime games Eastern Michigan has played this year have both come inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. It is the first time that Eastern Michigan has played at least two overtime games at home since the 2018-19 season, when they competed in three overtime games against Buffalo, Northern Illinois and Toledo.
Up Next
Wednesday, Feb. 1st is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and Eastern Athletics invites you to join us and celebrate with our Women's Basketball team! The game will feature an inspiring message from our student-athletes, Title IX awareness, female athlete appreciation, and more! Tipoff for Wednesday's game is set for 7 p.m. against the Bobcats of Ohio for a Mid-American Conference matchup! Show your support and purchase your tickets through the link below for just $5!
