Back In Action: Women's Hoops Plays Host to Akron

Women's Basketball vs. Akron
Date	Wednesday, Jan. 11 \| 7 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| George Gervin GameAbove Center
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Digital Game Program
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN+ \| Ryan Wooley (pxp), Lexi Ayala (analyst)
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team continues Mid-American Conference play Wednesday, Jan. 11, when it hosts the University of Akron Zips inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The contest is scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m.
   The Eagles (9-4, 1-1 MAC) look to bounce back as it had three players score in double figures in the 79-63 setback to Bowling Green State University, Jan. 11. Despite the efforts, Eastern dropped its first MAC contest of the season, while Bowling Green (12-2, 1-1 MAC) evened its conference ledger. Meanwhile, the Zips (11-2, 2-0 MAC) are coming off a come-from-behind 77-66 road victory over Miami University to extend their winning streak to six games, while improving to 2-0 in conference play.
   The 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, and Alex Jewell on the call. Fans can follow the action via live stats at EMUEagles.com/livestats. Additionally, the team's official Twitter account, @EMUWBB, will provide score updates throughout the contest.

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 (1,066, 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 (184 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).

RECORD BREAKER: Fourth-year Eagle Ce'Nara Skanes made history Dec. 1, 2021, against North Dakota State. With her eight rebounds in the contest, Skanes became the 22nd member of EMU's 500-rebound club. EMU's all-time best rebounder is Nikki Knapp (2002-06), who hauled in 802 boards during her collegiate career. Skanes, already the program's all-time leader in double-double efforts (27) has a career average of 9.5 rebounds per game. That number is by far and away the best of any player to secure 500 or more rebounds at Eastern Michigan. The next best is Suzanne Huff (1979-83), who averaged 7.8 boards per game en route to 756 rebounds (seventh all-time) during her career.

THE TOP DOGS: The Eagles sit atop the conference in three statistical categories. The team's 5.7 blocks per game leads the MAC and sits sixth nationally, while the team's 39.9 rebounds per game also leads the league and ranks 76th in the nation. With its 4.3 rebounding margin, the Eagles rank first in the MAC and 95th in the nation.

SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH: Freshman guard Olivia Smith continues to impress as she knocked down three triples in the game against Bowling Green, Jan. 7. 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 five of her 13 collegiate contests (42%).

ONE-OF-TWO: Freshman guard Olivia Smith has recorded three or more triples in five of her 13 collegiate contests (42%). She is one of two "true" freshmen within the MAC to have five or more games with three or more made three-point baskets. The only other rookie in the league to accomplish this feat is Central Michigan University's Sydney Harris, who has produced seven games with three-plus triples. Moreover, Smith is one of just five freshmen across the league to have three-plus triples in a single game.

SCOUTING AKRON: The Zips are 11-2 overall and 2-0 in the MAC to begin the 2022-23 campaign. The Zips are coming off a 77-66 road victory over Miami, Jan. 7. Prior to the road win, the Zips enjoyed a 73-64 triumph over the Bobcats of Ohio University, Jan. 4, in their home court to open league play. Leading the Zips is sophomore Reagan Bass, who averages 18.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. The sophomore ranks first in the league in free throw attempts (90), while sitting in the top 10 in nine other statistical categories.

LAST TIME AGAINST THE ZIPS: The Eagles saw three players score in double-digits in the 64-53 home loss, led by Ce'Nara Skanes with 20, followed by former Eagle Areanna Combs who added 19, and Natalia Pineda with 10. Juanita Agosto led the Eagles with four offensive rebounds, while Combs led the team with three assists. Defensively, Skanes topped the team with 10 rebounds while three Eagles recorded two steals. Eastern forced Akron into 17 turnovers, while only committing 12 itself. The Eagles turned those takeaways into nine points on the offensive end of the floor. Furthermore, EMU held UA to 30 percent shooting from deep, five percent below their season average heading into the contest.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE ZIPS: Wednesday's matchup will mark the 48th meeting between Eastern Michigan and Akron. The Zips lead the all-time series, 27-20. However, EMU has come out victorious in four of the last 10 meetings with its most recent stretch of three wins coming from Jan. 16, 2019 to March 11, 2019. With all three of those games occurring in the same season (2018-19), the Eagles defeated the Zips once a month, for three straight months.

EAGLES IN THE MAC: Four Eagles are ranked in the top 10 in various statistical categories throughout the MAC. Holding the highest ranking for the Green and White is sophomore Tayra Eke, who ranks first in the league in blocks per game (2.0), and in total blocks (26). Additionally, her 7.2 rebounds per game is good for eighth. Freshman Olivia Smith made her way to the list, ranking fourth in three-point percentage (36.6), and sixth in three-pointers per game (2.0). Sophomore Lachelle Austin's 1.9 steals per game is good for eighth in the conference while her 77.8 free throw percentage ranks ninth. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes' 7.5 rebounds per game ranks her sixth in the league and her 1.08 blocks per game ranks her ninth.

LAST TIME OUT: The Eagles had three players score in double figures in the loss to BGSU, Jan. 7, led by Lachelle Austin, who had a career-high 21 points and two steals. Freshman Olivia Smith tacked on 15 points, four assists and two steals while ZaNiya Nelson chipped in as well with 11 points and eight rebounds from the bench. Despite the efforts, Eastern dropped its first MAC contest of the season, while Bowling Green evened its conference ledger. Eastern Michigan shared the ball well, racking up 16 assists on 21 made field goals. Tayra Eke's four assists paced the Eagles. EMU did a great job disrupting BGSU shots, coming away with seven blocks. Both Ce'Nara Skanes' and Eke's three rejections led the way for the Eagles.

NUMBER 1 REJECTS: The Green and White have led the MAC in blocks per game throughout the entirety of the season. Tallying 74 total blocks in the 13 games played so far, the Eagles are sixth in the nation for blocks per game (5.7). Moreover, the Eagles have recorded five or more blocks in all but three games this season. Tayra Eke continues to hold the top spot in the league in blocks per game with 2.0 and in total blocks with 26. Her four blocks against USI, Dec. 10, are the most by an Eastern Michigan player since Becca Turney recorded five versus Ferris State University, Nov. 16, 2016.
   Eastern Michigan's 5.7 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.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORERS: EMU had three players in double digit points against the Falcons, Jan. 7. It was the 10th game in which the team has registered three or more players in double figures and the fifth with three players in double digits this season.

BUILT DIFFERENT: Sophomore Tayra Eke added three more blocks against BGSU, Jan. 7 to bring her season total to 26 in 13 games, a team best. The Spaniard sits in first place in the conference in the category, averaging 2.0 rejections per game. The total was just one shy of her season high four set against Southern Indiana, Dec. 10. She is seven blocks away from cracking
the single-season top-10 in EMU's record book.

TREY'S ON TREY'S: The Eagles shot well from three-point range, knocking down 8-of-20 long range attempts against the Falcons, Jan. 7. The eight makes ties for the team's season-high in triples, doing so on three other occasions (vs. North Dakota State, Dec. 1, vs. North Dakota, Dec. 4, and vs. Hillsdale, Dec. 28).

EIGHT IS GREAT: A total of eight players scored all of Eastern's points in the loss to BGSU, Jan. 7. With this effort, it was the fifth game the Eagles have had eight different players score in a single game this season with the highest being nine Eagles against James Madison University, Dec. 20.

SOUND THE ALARM: Eastern Michigan tallied six steals in the game with Bowling Green, Jan. 7. It was the team's 10th contest with five or more robberies. Additionally, Lachelle Austin's two steals gives her 23 on the season, ranking eighth in the MAC for steals per game (1.9). Austin has a steal in all but two contests this season.

CAREER-HIGH SCORING: Sophomore Lachelle Austin record a career-high 21 points against BGSU, Jan. 7. The 21 scores tops her previous high of 19 set against two different opponents (vs. IUPUI, Nov. 23; vs. Southern Indiana, Dec. 10). Additionally, it marks as the first time the sophomore has reached 20 or more points in a single game and her 15th career double-digit game.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Eagles return home to host the University of Akron, Jan. 11. Playing inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, EMU is 6-2 in home contest this season, one of which being a win against MAC member Miami, Jan. 4.

PASSING CLINIC: The Eagles put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 76 percent of made baskets in the loss to the Falcons, Jan. 7. The 16 total helpers in the contest were shy one of the team's high 17, set against Wright State University, Dec. 21. Before the 17 against WSU, the last time the Eagles recorded 16 assists in a game was in the road win at SIU-Edwardsville, Nov. 13.

NO-NO-NO: EMU was active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording seven blocks as a team against the BGSU offense, Jan. 7. The Green and White have led the MAC in blocks per game throughout the entirety of the season. Tallying 74 total blocks in the 13 games played so far, the Eagles are 11th in the nation for blocks per game (5.7). Moreover, with their seven rejections against the Falcons, the Eagles have recorded five or more blocks in all but three games this season.

TAYRA'S WALL: Sophomore Tayra Eke added three more blocks against BGSU to bring her season total to 26 in 13 games, a team best. The Spaniard sits in first place in the conference in the category, averaging 2.0 rejections per game. The total was just one shy of her season high four set against Southern Indiana, Dec. 10.

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 300-392 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: The Green and White will hit the road as it travels to Buffalo, N.Y. to take on the Bulls of the University at Buffalo inside Alumni Arena. The contest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and will broadcast 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.

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Players Mentioned

Juanita Agosto

Lachelle Austin

Areanna Combs

Tayra Eke

ZaNiya Nelson

Natalia Pineda

Ce'Nara Skanes

Olivia Smith

Eastern Michigan Athletics