Eastern Michigan Athletics
Back In Action: Women's Hoops Hosts Ohio Bobcats
1/30/2023 4:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The contest is slated for Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.
| Women's Basketball vs. Ohio | |
| Date | Wednesday, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. |
| Venue | Ypsilanti, Mich. | George Gervin GameAbove Center |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) | Digital Game Program (PDF) |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ | Ryan Wooley (pxp), Lexi Ayala (analyst) |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team continues Mid-American Conference play Wednesday, Feb. 1 as it plays host to Ohio University inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The Eagles are scheduled to face the Bobcats, at 7 p.m.
The Eagles (11-8, 3-5 MAC) saw three players score in double figures in their 73-79 overtime loss to the University of Toledo (15-4, 6-2 MAC), Jan. 28. The extended contest was the second consecutive home game in which the Eagles have played past regulation time, this season. The loss was Eastern's fifth conference setback while the win for the Rockets maintains the three spot in the league rankings. Meanwhile, Ohio (3-16, 1-7 MAC) is coming off a 78-58 home loss to Ball State University (17-4, 7-1 MAC), Jan. 28.
Wednesday's game will broadcast on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley (play-by-play) and Lexi Ayala (analyst) on the call. It will also be broadcast live on WEMU (89.1FM) and the Varsity Network app with Tom Helmer, the Voice of Eastern Michigan Athletics on the call. Additionally, the team's official Twitter account, @EMUWBB, will provide score updates throughout the contest.
PUT HER IN THE BOOKS: Sophomore Tayra Eke added three blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to bring her season total to 35 in 19 games, a team best. With her 35 rejections in a Green and White uniform, Eke has cracked the single-season top-10 in EMU's record book, taking sole possession of the 10th spot. Holding the highest record in program history is former Eagle Sharon Rose who produced 78 total blocked shots in 26 games (3.0 bpg) during the 1986-87 season. Additionally, with her 45 blocks in the 27 games (1.7 bpg) with Long Island University, the transfer is just 10 blocks shy from topping her single-season career high in blocked shots.
NGWSD: 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!
EXTRA TIME: The Eagles played in their second overtime game of the 2022-23 season, Jan. 28. Eastern Michigan now possesses a record of 1-1 in overtime games this season after defeating NIU, 66-61, Jan. 25. The two overtime games 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.
SHUT-EM DOWN: The Eagles held the Rockets to only 38.2 percent (21-of-55) shooting from the field in the game, Jan. 28. It was the 12th time this season the team has kept its opponent from shooting above 40 percent from the field. In all instances but two, Eastern has out-shot its competitors. The Green and White are 9-3 in games where its competitors shoot less than 40 percent from the field.
EKE'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Tayra 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, Jan. 28. Additionally, her performance marked the fifth game this season that the Spaniard has recorded a double-digit scoring effort.
BUILT DIFFERENT: Tayra Eke added three blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to bring her season total to 35 in 19 games, a team best. The sophomore sits in first place in total blocks and in 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.
SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH: Freshman guard Olivia Smith continues to impress as she knocked down three triples in the game against Toledo, Jan. 28. The rookie has at least one three-point make in all but one contest this season. Additionally, with her three buckets from the three, the freshman guard has recorded three or more triples in seven of her 19 collegiate games (37%).
ONE-OF-TWO: Freshman guard Olivia Smith has recorded three or more triples in seven of her 19 collegiate contests (37%). She is one of three "true" freshmen within the MAC to have five or more games with three or more made three-point baskets. The only other two rookies in the league to accomplish this feat are Central Michigan University's Sydney Harris, and Bridget Utberg. Harris has produced 12 games with three-plus triples while Utberg has recorded five games of the sort. Moreover, Smith, Harris, and Utberg are all one of just six freshmen across the league to have three-plus triples in a single game.
SKANES FROM THE FIELD: Junior Ce'Nara Skanes tied her career-high 23 points in the loss, Jan. 28, as she grabbed nine rebounds and shot 10-of-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.
LOPSIDED: Eastern Michigan has been no stranger to lopsided games this year in terms of scoring margin. In Eastern's 11 wins, the Eagles have upended their competition by an average of 11.2 points per contest. That number escalated after the contest against WMU, by 0.1 points. Meanwhile, the team's eight setbacks have come by an average of 15 points. With the 66-61 win over NIU, just two games this season have been decided by five or fewer points (vs. Miami, Jan. 4). Last season, four games were decided within that margin.
SOUND THE ALARM: Eastern Michigan grabbed nine steals in the loss against Toledo, Jan. 28. It was the fifth time this season the Eagles have recorded nine or more steals in a game. Additionally, it was the 14th time that EMU has had at least five steals. Last season, the team registered nine or more steals in eleven contest.
TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK: Eastern Michigan finished the contest against Toledo with 17 total assists, Jan. 28. It marked the 14th time this season that the Green and White have notched 10+ helpers (74%). That number is a noticeable improvement over last season's clip. EMU recorded 10 or more assists in just 10 games last year (37% of its total contests). Additionally, the 17 assists matched the teams season-high previously set against Wright State University, Dec. 21, 2022. \
A WIN WOULD: The Eagles are coming off a hard-fought 79-73 overtime loss to the Rockets, Jan. 28. Looking to remain in the top eight spots in the league, a win on Wednesday would give the Eagles their fourth conference win, tying last season's MAC win total (4-16 MAC), and give Head Coach Fred Castro his third overall win over the Bobcats.
BUILDING A BETTER WALL: EMU has registered a total of 94 blocks in the 19 games played (4.9 blocks per game). A season ago, the Green and White earned 88 blocks in 27 games (3.3 blocks per game). Not only did the Eagles surpass the previous season's total in almost half the amount of games, but they are on pace to have the most successful blocking average in program history.
KEEP THE BLOCK PARTY GOING: The Green and White posted five blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to boost the team's defense. The effort marked the 11th time this season the Eagles have recorded five or more blocks in a single game.
Tallying 94 total blocks this season, the Eagles are 19th in the nation for blocks per game (4.9) and first in the MAC. Eastern Michigan's 4.9 blocks per game is on pace to be a program record. The Eagles' 2009-10 squad currently hold the top spot. That season, the Green and White averaged 4.2 swats per game.
BOARD GAMES: The addition of sophomore Tayra Eke along with 500-Rebounds Club member Ce'Nara Skanes has made quite the impact on the defensive rebounds count for Eastern Michigan. This season, the team has recorded 522 defensive boards in 19 games (27.5 drpg) with help from Eke (92), and Skanes (104). Last season, the Green and White collected 685 defensive rebounds in 27 games (25.4 rpg). The Eagles are on pace to top the previous season's defensive rebounding average.
Moreover, EMU is out-rebounding its opponents 744-672 in the 2022-23 campaign. Last season, the Eagles lost the rebounding battle 1,029-1,008. Additionally, the team's 39.2 rebounds per game leads the MAC.
THE FIRST IMPRESSION: EMU scored 20 points in the first quarter against Toledo, Jan. 28, 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.
EAGLES IN THE MAC: Four Eagles rank in various statistical categories throughout the MAC. Holding the highest ranking for the Green and White is sophomore Tayra Eke, who leads the league in total blocks (35) and blocks per game (1.8). Additionally, Eke's 6.9 rebounds per game is good for eighth in the league. Freshman Olivia Smith ranks ninth in the MAC in three-pointers per game (2.0) and sixth in three-point percentage (35.2), while sophomore Lachelle Austin's 1.9 steals per game is good for ninth in the conference. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes' 8.1 rebounds per game ranks her fourth in the league and her 1.0 blocks per game ranks her ninth.
SCOUTING OHIO: The Bobcats are 3-16 overall and 1-6 in the MAC this season. Ohio is coming off a 78-58 defeat to Ball State, Jan. 28, its second consecutive MAC loss. Prior to Ball State, the Bobcats loss to the Chippewas of Central Michigan, in a close 69-66 contest, Jan. 25. The teams lone conference win came against Miami University, when the Bobcats defeated the RedHawks, 84-73, breaking a 10-game losing streak. The highest ranking the Ohio-based team holds within the MAC is second in three-point attempts per game, averaging 25.5 tries a contest.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BOBCATS: EMU saw two players score in double figures, led by former Eagle Areanna Combs, who had 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks in the 66-53 road setback, Feb. 12,2022. EMU 1,000-points scorer, Courtnie Lewis tacked on 14 points from the bench while Ce'Nara Skanes added nine points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Eastern Michigan did a great job disrupting Ohio shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks. Skanes' and Combs' three rejections led the way for the Eagles.
ALL-TIME AGAINST THE BOBCATS: Wednesday's matchup will mark the 66th meeting between EMU and Ohio. The Bobcats lead the all-time series, 38-27, with Ohio coming away with the most recent win, Feb. 12, 2022. In that game, the Eagles fell, 53-66, on the road. EMU looks for its 28th overall win against Ohio and pick up Head Coach Fred Castro's third victory over the Bobcats.
CLOSE CONNECTIONS: Ohio's Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, Sonny Sano, a 1989 graduate of Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan, Sano earned a bachelor's degree in psychology while playing for the school's varsity ice hockey team. He came to the United States after graduation and earned an additional degree in physical education from Eastern Michigan University in 1991.
RECORD BOOK WATCH: Forward Ce'Nara Skanes, now in her fourth season with the Eagles, is on pace to reach the 1,000-point plateau in 2023. Already a 1,000-point collegiate scorer (1,143, including 250 at Florida International in 2018-19), Skanes would become Eastern Michigan's 25th 1,000-point scorer if she can hit the mark (107 points away). Areanna Combs (2019-22) was the last player to eclipse the milestone, finishing her career in the No. 15 spot for all-time scoring at EMU (1,257).
SKANES' RESUME: Junior Ce'Nara Skanes has had quite an impression on not only the Mid-American Conference but the entire NCAA Division-I. With her 28 career double-doubles, Skanes ranks tied for 28th among all active D-I women's basketball players. Additionally, she is second among the MAC with NIU's A'Jah Davis ranking 12th with 43 career double-doubles. Taking it one step further, Skanes is just one of 12 players from a "Group of Five" institution among the top-25 in the nation.
LAST TIME OUT: EMU fell 79-73 to Toledo in overtime, Saturday, Jan. 28. Ce'Nara Skanes 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 saw three players score in double figures, led by Skanes, who recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tayra Eke tacked on a double-double off the bench with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Lachelle Austin chipped in with 13 points, seven assists and two steals. Eastern took advantage of fantastic ball movement in the game, piling up 17 assists on 29 made field goals. Austin's seven assists were the most among all Eagles. EMU did an impressive job disrupting Toledo shots, coming away with five blocks. Eke's three rejections led the way individually for the team.
BACK IN #MACTION: The Green and White's 2022-23 campaign marks the 42nd season Eastern Michigan will compete as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Playing a league schedule since the 1981-82 campaign, EMU has compiled a 302-396 record against conference opponents all-time.
RING CHASING: Eastern entered league play in search of its first conference championship since 2012. That year, the Eagles captured both the MAC West and MAC Tournament titles.
As a program, EMU has claimed four division crowns (2004, 2006, 2008, 2012) and two tournament championships (2004, 2012).
ON THE HORIZON: Following Wednesday's home contest against Ohio, the Green and White will make a trip to Mount Pleasant, Mich. to face its in-state rival, the Chippewas of Central Michigan University. The contest is slated for Saturday, Feb. 4th and will be broadcat on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE ACTION ALL SEASON LONG: Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUWBB and @EMUAthletics on Twitter for all of the latest EMU women's basketball updates. Be sure to also follow the Green and White on Instagram, @EMUWBB.
The Eagles (11-8, 3-5 MAC) saw three players score in double figures in their 73-79 overtime loss to the University of Toledo (15-4, 6-2 MAC), Jan. 28. The extended contest was the second consecutive home game in which the Eagles have played past regulation time, this season. The loss was Eastern's fifth conference setback while the win for the Rockets maintains the three spot in the league rankings. Meanwhile, Ohio (3-16, 1-7 MAC) is coming off a 78-58 home loss to Ball State University (17-4, 7-1 MAC), Jan. 28.
Wednesday's game will broadcast on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley (play-by-play) and Lexi Ayala (analyst) on the call. It will also be broadcast live on WEMU (89.1FM) and the Varsity Network app with Tom Helmer, the Voice of Eastern Michigan Athletics on the call. Additionally, the team's official Twitter account, @EMUWBB, will provide score updates throughout the contest.
PUT HER IN THE BOOKS: Sophomore Tayra Eke added three blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to bring her season total to 35 in 19 games, a team best. With her 35 rejections in a Green and White uniform, Eke has cracked the single-season top-10 in EMU's record book, taking sole possession of the 10th spot. Holding the highest record in program history is former Eagle Sharon Rose who produced 78 total blocked shots in 26 games (3.0 bpg) during the 1986-87 season. Additionally, with her 45 blocks in the 27 games (1.7 bpg) with Long Island University, the transfer is just 10 blocks shy from topping her single-season career high in blocked shots.
NGWSD: 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!
EXTRA TIME: The Eagles played in their second overtime game of the 2022-23 season, Jan. 28. Eastern Michigan now possesses a record of 1-1 in overtime games this season after defeating NIU, 66-61, Jan. 25. The two overtime games 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.
SHUT-EM DOWN: The Eagles held the Rockets to only 38.2 percent (21-of-55) shooting from the field in the game, Jan. 28. It was the 12th time this season the team has kept its opponent from shooting above 40 percent from the field. In all instances but two, Eastern has out-shot its competitors. The Green and White are 9-3 in games where its competitors shoot less than 40 percent from the field.
EKE'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Tayra 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, Jan. 28. Additionally, her performance marked the fifth game this season that the Spaniard has recorded a double-digit scoring effort.
BUILT DIFFERENT: Tayra Eke added three blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to bring her season total to 35 in 19 games, a team best. The sophomore sits in first place in total blocks and in 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.
SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH: Freshman guard Olivia Smith continues to impress as she knocked down three triples in the game against Toledo, Jan. 28. The rookie has at least one three-point make in all but one contest this season. Additionally, with her three buckets from the three, the freshman guard has recorded three or more triples in seven of her 19 collegiate games (37%).
ONE-OF-TWO: Freshman guard Olivia Smith has recorded three or more triples in seven of her 19 collegiate contests (37%). She is one of three "true" freshmen within the MAC to have five or more games with three or more made three-point baskets. The only other two rookies in the league to accomplish this feat are Central Michigan University's Sydney Harris, and Bridget Utberg. Harris has produced 12 games with three-plus triples while Utberg has recorded five games of the sort. Moreover, Smith, Harris, and Utberg are all one of just six freshmen across the league to have three-plus triples in a single game.
SKANES FROM THE FIELD: Junior Ce'Nara Skanes tied her career-high 23 points in the loss, Jan. 28, as she grabbed nine rebounds and shot 10-of-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.
LOPSIDED: Eastern Michigan has been no stranger to lopsided games this year in terms of scoring margin. In Eastern's 11 wins, the Eagles have upended their competition by an average of 11.2 points per contest. That number escalated after the contest against WMU, by 0.1 points. Meanwhile, the team's eight setbacks have come by an average of 15 points. With the 66-61 win over NIU, just two games this season have been decided by five or fewer points (vs. Miami, Jan. 4). Last season, four games were decided within that margin.
SOUND THE ALARM: Eastern Michigan grabbed nine steals in the loss against Toledo, Jan. 28. It was the fifth time this season the Eagles have recorded nine or more steals in a game. Additionally, it was the 14th time that EMU has had at least five steals. Last season, the team registered nine or more steals in eleven contest.
TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK: Eastern Michigan finished the contest against Toledo with 17 total assists, Jan. 28. It marked the 14th time this season that the Green and White have notched 10+ helpers (74%). That number is a noticeable improvement over last season's clip. EMU recorded 10 or more assists in just 10 games last year (37% of its total contests). Additionally, the 17 assists matched the teams season-high previously set against Wright State University, Dec. 21, 2022. \
A WIN WOULD: The Eagles are coming off a hard-fought 79-73 overtime loss to the Rockets, Jan. 28. Looking to remain in the top eight spots in the league, a win on Wednesday would give the Eagles their fourth conference win, tying last season's MAC win total (4-16 MAC), and give Head Coach Fred Castro his third overall win over the Bobcats.
BUILDING A BETTER WALL: EMU has registered a total of 94 blocks in the 19 games played (4.9 blocks per game). A season ago, the Green and White earned 88 blocks in 27 games (3.3 blocks per game). Not only did the Eagles surpass the previous season's total in almost half the amount of games, but they are on pace to have the most successful blocking average in program history.
KEEP THE BLOCK PARTY GOING: The Green and White posted five blocks against Toledo, Jan. 28, to boost the team's defense. The effort marked the 11th time this season the Eagles have recorded five or more blocks in a single game.
Tallying 94 total blocks this season, the Eagles are 19th in the nation for blocks per game (4.9) and first in the MAC. Eastern Michigan's 4.9 blocks per game is on pace to be a program record. The Eagles' 2009-10 squad currently hold the top spot. That season, the Green and White averaged 4.2 swats per game.
BOARD GAMES: The addition of sophomore Tayra Eke along with 500-Rebounds Club member Ce'Nara Skanes has made quite the impact on the defensive rebounds count for Eastern Michigan. This season, the team has recorded 522 defensive boards in 19 games (27.5 drpg) with help from Eke (92), and Skanes (104). Last season, the Green and White collected 685 defensive rebounds in 27 games (25.4 rpg). The Eagles are on pace to top the previous season's defensive rebounding average.
Moreover, EMU is out-rebounding its opponents 744-672 in the 2022-23 campaign. Last season, the Eagles lost the rebounding battle 1,029-1,008. Additionally, the team's 39.2 rebounds per game leads the MAC.
THE FIRST IMPRESSION: EMU scored 20 points in the first quarter against Toledo, Jan. 28, 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.
EAGLES IN THE MAC: Four Eagles rank in various statistical categories throughout the MAC. Holding the highest ranking for the Green and White is sophomore Tayra Eke, who leads the league in total blocks (35) and blocks per game (1.8). Additionally, Eke's 6.9 rebounds per game is good for eighth in the league. Freshman Olivia Smith ranks ninth in the MAC in three-pointers per game (2.0) and sixth in three-point percentage (35.2), while sophomore Lachelle Austin's 1.9 steals per game is good for ninth in the conference. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes' 8.1 rebounds per game ranks her fourth in the league and her 1.0 blocks per game ranks her ninth.
SCOUTING OHIO: The Bobcats are 3-16 overall and 1-6 in the MAC this season. Ohio is coming off a 78-58 defeat to Ball State, Jan. 28, its second consecutive MAC loss. Prior to Ball State, the Bobcats loss to the Chippewas of Central Michigan, in a close 69-66 contest, Jan. 25. The teams lone conference win came against Miami University, when the Bobcats defeated the RedHawks, 84-73, breaking a 10-game losing streak. The highest ranking the Ohio-based team holds within the MAC is second in three-point attempts per game, averaging 25.5 tries a contest.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BOBCATS: EMU saw two players score in double figures, led by former Eagle Areanna Combs, who had 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals, and three blocks in the 66-53 road setback, Feb. 12,2022. EMU 1,000-points scorer, Courtnie Lewis tacked on 14 points from the bench while Ce'Nara Skanes added nine points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Eastern Michigan did a great job disrupting Ohio shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks. Skanes' and Combs' three rejections led the way for the Eagles.
ALL-TIME AGAINST THE BOBCATS: Wednesday's matchup will mark the 66th meeting between EMU and Ohio. The Bobcats lead the all-time series, 38-27, with Ohio coming away with the most recent win, Feb. 12, 2022. In that game, the Eagles fell, 53-66, on the road. EMU looks for its 28th overall win against Ohio and pick up Head Coach Fred Castro's third victory over the Bobcats.
CLOSE CONNECTIONS: Ohio's Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, Sonny Sano, a 1989 graduate of Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan, Sano earned a bachelor's degree in psychology while playing for the school's varsity ice hockey team. He came to the United States after graduation and earned an additional degree in physical education from Eastern Michigan University in 1991.
RECORD BOOK WATCH: Forward Ce'Nara Skanes, now in her fourth season with the Eagles, is on pace to reach the 1,000-point plateau in 2023. Already a 1,000-point collegiate scorer (1,143, including 250 at Florida International in 2018-19), Skanes would become Eastern Michigan's 25th 1,000-point scorer if she can hit the mark (107 points away). Areanna Combs (2019-22) was the last player to eclipse the milestone, finishing her career in the No. 15 spot for all-time scoring at EMU (1,257).
SKANES' RESUME: Junior Ce'Nara Skanes has had quite an impression on not only the Mid-American Conference but the entire NCAA Division-I. With her 28 career double-doubles, Skanes ranks tied for 28th among all active D-I women's basketball players. Additionally, she is second among the MAC with NIU's A'Jah Davis ranking 12th with 43 career double-doubles. Taking it one step further, Skanes is just one of 12 players from a "Group of Five" institution among the top-25 in the nation.
LAST TIME OUT: EMU fell 79-73 to Toledo in overtime, Saturday, Jan. 28. Ce'Nara Skanes 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 saw three players score in double figures, led by Skanes, who recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. Tayra Eke tacked on a double-double off the bench with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Lachelle Austin chipped in with 13 points, seven assists and two steals. Eastern took advantage of fantastic ball movement in the game, piling up 17 assists on 29 made field goals. Austin's seven assists were the most among all Eagles. EMU did an impressive job disrupting Toledo shots, coming away with five blocks. Eke's three rejections led the way individually for the team.
BACK IN #MACTION: The Green and White's 2022-23 campaign marks the 42nd season Eastern Michigan will compete as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Playing a league schedule since the 1981-82 campaign, EMU has compiled a 302-396 record against conference opponents all-time.
RING CHASING: Eastern entered league play in search of its first conference championship since 2012. That year, the Eagles captured both the MAC West and MAC Tournament titles.
As a program, EMU has claimed four division crowns (2004, 2006, 2008, 2012) and two tournament championships (2004, 2012).
ON THE HORIZON: Following Wednesday's home contest against Ohio, the Green and White will make a trip to Mount Pleasant, Mich. to face its in-state rival, the Chippewas of Central Michigan University. The contest is slated for Saturday, Feb. 4th and will be broadcat on ESPN+.
FOLLOW THE ACTION ALL SEASON LONG: Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUWBB and @EMUAthletics on Twitter for all of the latest EMU women's basketball updates. Be sure to also follow the Green and White on Instagram, @EMUWBB.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Practice Highlights Week of Aug. 4, 2025
Sunday, August 10
Inaugural Bowling with the Eagles Event
Friday, August 08
Women's Basketball Practice Highlights Week of July 28, 2025
Friday, August 08
2025 Women's Basketball Alumni Panel
Wednesday, July 30