Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 18
Ypsilanti, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
SIUE
Women's Hoops Prepares to Host SIU-Edwardsville Saturday
11/16/2023 5:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The contest will be the second half of an EMU Basketball double-header with the men's team
| Women's Basketball vs. SIU-Edwardsville | |
| Date | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Venue | George Gervin GameAbove Center (8,754) | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) | Digital Programs |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App | Eastern Insider Podcast |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Fan Information | Purchase Tickets |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team is set to play host to the Cougars of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Saturday, Nov. 18, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the last half of an EMU basketball double-header with the men's team, who is slated to face Cleveland State University earlier in the day.
The Green and White enter the game with an 0-2 record after falling to the Eagles of Georgia Southern University, 82-58, on the road, Nov. 11. The Cougars enter the contest with a 1-3 record after suffering a 90-86 setback to Illinois State University, Nov. 15.
ON AIR
The game, which is slated to tipoff at 3:30 p.m. or 30 minutes directly after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. men's game, will be broadcast on ESPN+ where Brent Balbinot (play-by-play) and Claire Dau (analyst) will carry the action and can be listened to on WEMU (89.1 FM) with Tom Helmer, the official voice of EMU Athletics. 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.
STAYING ON TREND
Picking up where it left off in the 2022-23 season, EMU continues to lead the Mid-American Conference in blocked shots per game with 6.0 this season. Last season, EMU produced an average of 4.2 blocks per game, good for first in the league and 46th nationally. The year prior, the team averaged 3.3 blocks per game, showing a significant improvement in the 2022-23 campaign. Additionally, Tayra Eke, who led both the Green and White and the MAC in total blocks with 51 one season ago, ranks second in the league with 3.5 blocked shots per game.
NEW TO THE STARTING FIVE
Freshman Cali Denson earned her first collegiate start against the Eagles of Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, after leading the Green and White with nine points against UDM, Nov. 6.
BACK AT HOME
The Eagles are set to play host for the second time this season after falling in the home-opener, 68-38, to the Titans of the University of Detroit Mercy, Nov. 6. The contest will mark the 95th for Head Coach Fred Castro inside the George Gervin GameAbove center as he holds a 45-49 record in home games during his eight seasons at the helm of the program.
EARNING HER WINGS
Freshman Meghan Gentile earned her first collegiate appearance against the Eagles of Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, collecting three minutes of play. The rookie took three total shots in her debut.
IN THE TOP-3
Three Eagles currently rank in the MAC top-3, in Cali Denson (T-1st- Free throw percentage- 1.000), Tayra Eke (1st- total blocks - 7; 2nd- blocked shots/game - 3.5), and Kennedi Myles (3rd- rebounds/game - 9.0).
IMPROVING ON ALL CYLINDERS
The Green and White showed improvements in all specialty statistics after the setback in Georgia, Nov. 11. In comparison to the final stats of the Detroit Mercy contest, Nov. 6, EMU collected more points off turnovers (15-9), points in the paint (28-24), second chance points (16-7), fast-break points (10-6), and bench points (14-13).
DOUBLE-DIGIT SISTERS
Eastern Michigan finished with two players in double-digit points against the Eagles of Georgia Southern, Nov. 11. Both Lachelle Austin and ZaNiya Nelson led the team with 17 points each marking the first time this season two Eagles have recorded double-digit scores in the same game.
BIG BLOCKING PERFORMANCE
Defending 2023-24 MAC leader in blocked shots, Tayra Eke stopped five total Georgia Southern shots, Nov. 11, for a season-high, topping her two against UDM, Nov. 6. Eke earned her career-high of six blocks against Army, Dec. 1, 2021, as a Long Island University Shark. Moreover, it marked her first game of the season with three-plus blocks and the 16th of her career.
EMU has not seen a player record five or more blocks in a single game since the 2016-17 season when former Eagle Becca Turney collected five against Ferris State University, Nov. 16, 2016.
Additionally, the junior currently sits first in the MAC in blocked shots with seven, and second in the league for blocks per game with 3.5.
WESTPHAL ON NOV. 11
Duquesne transfer, Olivia Westphal, played 18 minutes against Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, for a career-high, topping her previous career-high 15 minutes of play set against Brown University, on the same day, one year prior (Nov. 11, 2022).
WESTY'S CAREER-HIGH GAME
In addition to her career-high playing time, Olivia Westphal recorded her first made field goal (1) and points (2) in an Eastern uniform against GSU, Nov. 11, along with her first assist and her first two rebounds which also go down as a career-high topping her one rebound collected in four different occasions during her time at Duquesne.
Additionally, the junior forced two steals for her second consecutive contest with multiple steals after collecting three against UDM, Nov. 6.
SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH
Sophomore Olivia Smith connected on a shot from beyond the arc in the loss to Georgia Southern, Nov. 11. It was the second consecutive contest this season in which Smith has made a single three-pointer. Last season, the then-rookie led the team in triples recording a single make in 25 total games. Her longest streak of consecutive games with a made triple was 13 (Dec. 17, 2022-Feb. 1, 2023).
NELSON'S SNAGS
ZaNiya Nelson forced three turnovers as she collected and tied her career-high of three steals. It marked the first time this season in which she has earned three or more steals in a single game and the sixth of her career.
FOLLOWING ZANIYA
ZaNiya Nelson led the Green and White with 17 points on seven made field goals against GSU, Nov. 11, marking the first time this season with team-leading points for the junior. It was her first double-digit points performance of the season and the 13th of her career. Additionally, she dismantled her previous season-high of seven points set against UDM in the home-opener, Nov. 6.
AUSTIN-TACIOUS
Lachelle Austin also led the Green and White with 17 points against GSU, Nov. 11 marking the first time this season with team-leading points for the junior. It was also her first double-digit points performance of the season and the 26th of her career. Additionally, she also dismantled her previous season-high of seven points set against UDM in the home opener, Nov. 6.
ASH CASHED IN
Ashley Hassett earned career-highs in minutes (12), rebounds (4), and points (5), and recorded her first made field goal against Georgia Southern, Nov. 11.
THE ROOKIE
Cali Denson earned her first career block in the loss to the Eagles, Nov. 11. Additionally, she recorded a career-high three helpers marking her first contest with three-plus assists and topping her previous career-high of one against UDM, Nov. 6.
TURNOVER TOWN
EMU forced 18 Georgia Southern turnovers while committing 16 themselves, Nov. 11. It marked the second consecutive game in which the Green and White has forced more turnovers than they have committed holding an 0-2 record in such games. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor.
Eastern won the turnover battle 12 times in 30 outings one season ago, holding a 10-2 record in such games.
OFF THE BENCH
The Eastern Michigan bench made an impact by adding 14 points to its scoring output. Last season, the Eagles earned 14 or more bench points in 13 outings.
THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
Eastern Michigan cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game. The 14 rebounds top the team's previous season high of 12 boards recorded in the season home-opener against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 6.
EXPERIENCED KENNEDI
The duo of Tayra Eke and Kennedi Myles combined for 14 total rebounds, Nov. 11, as each player recorded seven each. It marked the second game in which Myles led the team in rebounds after recording a team-leading 11 against UDM, Nov. 6.
ALL-TIME VS. SIU-E
EMU and SIU-Edwarsville will meet for just the second time in each of their program's histories. The two schools first met last season when the Eagles traveled to Edwardsville, Ill., Nov. 13, 2022, taking a 71-62 victory over the Cougars to open the all-time series, 1-0.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE COUGARS
The Eagles had four players score in double figures, led by ZaNiya Nelson, who had 18 points. Tayra Eke tacked on 13 points and two blocks off the bench and senior Natalia Pineda chipped in as well with 11 points.
Led by Ce'Nara Skanes' three offensive rebounds, EMU did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 11 second chance points.
EMU forced 26 SIU-Edwardsville turnovers while committing 19 themselves in the contest. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 25 points on the other end of the floor. Lachelle Austin led the way individually with four steals.
THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
The MAC-SBC Challenge kicked off this past weekend with 12 MAC men's basketball programs hosting 12 SBC teams, while the 12 MAC women's basketball programs visited 12 SBC teams.
The EMU women's team fell to Georgia Southern in the first part of the challenge, while the EMU men's team defeat Georgia Southern, 70-60, the same day at home.
The second MAC-SBC Challenge contest for each team will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, with the matchups based on real-time NET rankings and announced in January. The MAC women and Sun Belt men will host the February matchups. Each MAC and Sun Belt team included in the MAC-SBC Challenge, currently scheduled to take place during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, is guaranteed one home and one away game each season. Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests are considered in determining the matchups.
ON THE HORIZON
Following the EMU basketball doubleheader, Saturday, the Eagles will prepare for a short trip down the road as the team is slated to face Big Ten member, the University of Michigan, inside Crysler Center, Friday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW US
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 Green and White enter the game with an 0-2 record after falling to the Eagles of Georgia Southern University, 82-58, on the road, Nov. 11. The Cougars enter the contest with a 1-3 record after suffering a 90-86 setback to Illinois State University, Nov. 15.
ON AIR
The game, which is slated to tipoff at 3:30 p.m. or 30 minutes directly after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. men's game, will be broadcast on ESPN+ where Brent Balbinot (play-by-play) and Claire Dau (analyst) will carry the action and can be listened to on WEMU (89.1 FM) with Tom Helmer, the official voice of EMU Athletics. 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.
STAYING ON TREND
Picking up where it left off in the 2022-23 season, EMU continues to lead the Mid-American Conference in blocked shots per game with 6.0 this season. Last season, EMU produced an average of 4.2 blocks per game, good for first in the league and 46th nationally. The year prior, the team averaged 3.3 blocks per game, showing a significant improvement in the 2022-23 campaign. Additionally, Tayra Eke, who led both the Green and White and the MAC in total blocks with 51 one season ago, ranks second in the league with 3.5 blocked shots per game.
NEW TO THE STARTING FIVE
Freshman Cali Denson earned her first collegiate start against the Eagles of Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, after leading the Green and White with nine points against UDM, Nov. 6.
BACK AT HOME
The Eagles are set to play host for the second time this season after falling in the home-opener, 68-38, to the Titans of the University of Detroit Mercy, Nov. 6. The contest will mark the 95th for Head Coach Fred Castro inside the George Gervin GameAbove center as he holds a 45-49 record in home games during his eight seasons at the helm of the program.
EARNING HER WINGS
Freshman Meghan Gentile earned her first collegiate appearance against the Eagles of Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, collecting three minutes of play. The rookie took three total shots in her debut.
IN THE TOP-3
Three Eagles currently rank in the MAC top-3, in Cali Denson (T-1st- Free throw percentage- 1.000), Tayra Eke (1st- total blocks - 7; 2nd- blocked shots/game - 3.5), and Kennedi Myles (3rd- rebounds/game - 9.0).
IMPROVING ON ALL CYLINDERS
The Green and White showed improvements in all specialty statistics after the setback in Georgia, Nov. 11. In comparison to the final stats of the Detroit Mercy contest, Nov. 6, EMU collected more points off turnovers (15-9), points in the paint (28-24), second chance points (16-7), fast-break points (10-6), and bench points (14-13).
DOUBLE-DIGIT SISTERS
Eastern Michigan finished with two players in double-digit points against the Eagles of Georgia Southern, Nov. 11. Both Lachelle Austin and ZaNiya Nelson led the team with 17 points each marking the first time this season two Eagles have recorded double-digit scores in the same game.
BIG BLOCKING PERFORMANCE
Defending 2023-24 MAC leader in blocked shots, Tayra Eke stopped five total Georgia Southern shots, Nov. 11, for a season-high, topping her two against UDM, Nov. 6. Eke earned her career-high of six blocks against Army, Dec. 1, 2021, as a Long Island University Shark. Moreover, it marked her first game of the season with three-plus blocks and the 16th of her career.
EMU has not seen a player record five or more blocks in a single game since the 2016-17 season when former Eagle Becca Turney collected five against Ferris State University, Nov. 16, 2016.
Additionally, the junior currently sits first in the MAC in blocked shots with seven, and second in the league for blocks per game with 3.5.
WESTPHAL ON NOV. 11
Duquesne transfer, Olivia Westphal, played 18 minutes against Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, for a career-high, topping her previous career-high 15 minutes of play set against Brown University, on the same day, one year prior (Nov. 11, 2022).
WESTY'S CAREER-HIGH GAME
In addition to her career-high playing time, Olivia Westphal recorded her first made field goal (1) and points (2) in an Eastern uniform against GSU, Nov. 11, along with her first assist and her first two rebounds which also go down as a career-high topping her one rebound collected in four different occasions during her time at Duquesne.
Additionally, the junior forced two steals for her second consecutive contest with multiple steals after collecting three against UDM, Nov. 6.
SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH
Sophomore Olivia Smith connected on a shot from beyond the arc in the loss to Georgia Southern, Nov. 11. It was the second consecutive contest this season in which Smith has made a single three-pointer. Last season, the then-rookie led the team in triples recording a single make in 25 total games. Her longest streak of consecutive games with a made triple was 13 (Dec. 17, 2022-Feb. 1, 2023).
NELSON'S SNAGS
ZaNiya Nelson forced three turnovers as she collected and tied her career-high of three steals. It marked the first time this season in which she has earned three or more steals in a single game and the sixth of her career.
FOLLOWING ZANIYA
ZaNiya Nelson led the Green and White with 17 points on seven made field goals against GSU, Nov. 11, marking the first time this season with team-leading points for the junior. It was her first double-digit points performance of the season and the 13th of her career. Additionally, she dismantled her previous season-high of seven points set against UDM in the home-opener, Nov. 6.
AUSTIN-TACIOUS
Lachelle Austin also led the Green and White with 17 points against GSU, Nov. 11 marking the first time this season with team-leading points for the junior. It was also her first double-digit points performance of the season and the 26th of her career. Additionally, she also dismantled her previous season-high of seven points set against UDM in the home opener, Nov. 6.
ASH CASHED IN
Ashley Hassett earned career-highs in minutes (12), rebounds (4), and points (5), and recorded her first made field goal against Georgia Southern, Nov. 11.
THE ROOKIE
Cali Denson earned her first career block in the loss to the Eagles, Nov. 11. Additionally, she recorded a career-high three helpers marking her first contest with three-plus assists and topping her previous career-high of one against UDM, Nov. 6.
TURNOVER TOWN
EMU forced 18 Georgia Southern turnovers while committing 16 themselves, Nov. 11. It marked the second consecutive game in which the Green and White has forced more turnovers than they have committed holding an 0-2 record in such games. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor.
Eastern won the turnover battle 12 times in 30 outings one season ago, holding a 10-2 record in such games.
OFF THE BENCH
The Eastern Michigan bench made an impact by adding 14 points to its scoring output. Last season, the Eagles earned 14 or more bench points in 13 outings.
THE OFFENSIVE GLASS
Eastern Michigan cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game. The 14 rebounds top the team's previous season high of 12 boards recorded in the season home-opener against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 6.
EXPERIENCED KENNEDI
The duo of Tayra Eke and Kennedi Myles combined for 14 total rebounds, Nov. 11, as each player recorded seven each. It marked the second game in which Myles led the team in rebounds after recording a team-leading 11 against UDM, Nov. 6.
ALL-TIME VS. SIU-E
EMU and SIU-Edwarsville will meet for just the second time in each of their program's histories. The two schools first met last season when the Eagles traveled to Edwardsville, Ill., Nov. 13, 2022, taking a 71-62 victory over the Cougars to open the all-time series, 1-0.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE COUGARS
The Eagles had four players score in double figures, led by ZaNiya Nelson, who had 18 points. Tayra Eke tacked on 13 points and two blocks off the bench and senior Natalia Pineda chipped in as well with 11 points.
Led by Ce'Nara Skanes' three offensive rebounds, EMU did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 11 second chance points.
EMU forced 26 SIU-Edwardsville turnovers while committing 19 themselves in the contest. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 25 points on the other end of the floor. Lachelle Austin led the way individually with four steals.
THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
The MAC-SBC Challenge kicked off this past weekend with 12 MAC men's basketball programs hosting 12 SBC teams, while the 12 MAC women's basketball programs visited 12 SBC teams.
The EMU women's team fell to Georgia Southern in the first part of the challenge, while the EMU men's team defeat Georgia Southern, 70-60, the same day at home.
The second MAC-SBC Challenge contest for each team will take place on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, with the matchups based on real-time NET rankings and announced in January. The MAC women and Sun Belt men will host the February matchups. Each MAC and Sun Belt team included in the MAC-SBC Challenge, currently scheduled to take place during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, is guaranteed one home and one away game each season. Scheduling assistance is provided by Ordinal Sports Group. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests are considered in determining the matchups.
ON THE HORIZON
Following the EMU basketball doubleheader, Saturday, the Eagles will prepare for a short trip down the road as the team is slated to face Big Ten member, the University of Michigan, inside Crysler Center, Friday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW US
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
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