Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
3-7,0-0MAC
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Saginaw Valley
3-9,0-2GLIAC
Defensive Effort Leads EMU over Saginaw Valley, 69-44
12/29/2023 3:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
11 Eagles recorded points in the win
Highlight Video
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team held Saginaw Valley State University to just 5.3 percent from beyond the arc in a 1-for-19 shooting performance on the way to a 69-44 victory against the Cardinals at home Friday, Dec. 29.
The Eagles (3-7) had two players score in double figures, led by Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette), who had 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU) tacked on 10 points and ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City West) added seven points and nine rebounds.
Nelson pulled down five offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Eastern Michigan, grabbing 13 boards and turning them into 14 second chance points.
The Eastern Michigan defense was a problem in Friday's game, forcing 22 Saginaw Valley turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 23 points on the other end of the floor. Myles' five steals led the way individually for the Eagles.
How It Happened
After falling behind, 8-4, Eastern Michigan went on a 13-0 run with 6:03 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Olivia Westphal (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park/Duquesne), to take a 17-8 lead. The Eagles then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 19-10 advantage. EMU did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 19 points close to the basket.
Eastern kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 9:29 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Myles, to increase its lead to 24-10. The Cardinals cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 29-22 advantage heading into halftime. Eastern Michigan forced three Saginaw Valley turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.
After intermission, EMU added to its advantage and owned a 47-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Green and White's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled six of the team's 18 third-quarter points.
Eastern Michigan kept its lead intact before going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Nelson's jumper, to grow the lead to 59-34 with 6:43 to go in the contest. The Eagles held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 69-44 win. Eastern Michigan took advantage of 10 Saginaw Valley turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Interim Head Coach Ke'Sha Blanton recorded her second consecutive career win in her second game leading the team after debuting against IUPUI, Dec. 15.
» The Green and White led the Cardinals, 29-22, after the first half of play. It marked the first time this season in which the Eagles led after halftime. Last season, EMU led its opponent after 30 minutes of play in 14 contests, going 11-3 in said games.
» Myles collected five steals in the victory for a season-high. The last time an Eagle player earned five or more steals in a single game was when former Eagle Ce'Nara Skanes recorded five at the University of Toledo, Feb. 18, 2023.
» Making her collegiate debut was Sophie Canen (Saline, Mich./Saline). The freshman earned her first collegiate points in the fourth quarter as she went 2-for-2 from the charity stripe. Additionally, the rookie collected one rebound in five minutes of play.
» The Eagles allowed just 44 SVSU points, the lowest of any foe this season. Last season, the fewest points allowed was also 44 set by Xavier University in EMU's 51-44 victory over the Musketeers, Dec. 17, 2022.
» All 11 Eagles that played in the contest scored with nine having scored in the first 15 minutes of the game. It marked the second consecutive game with the feat after doing so at IUPUI, Dec. 15.
» Eastern out-rebounded SVSU, 42-27. It marked the fifth contest the Eagles have collected more boards than its opponent, going 3-2 in such games.
» The Eagles held the Cardinals to only 28.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The team never trailed after taking a 19-10 first quarter lead.
» Eastern Michigan had a great day defensively, holding Saginaw Valley to 5 percent from three point land on 19 attempts.
» The Eastern Michigan bench came alive by scoring 24 points to its scoring output.
Historical Notes
» With the win, the Eagles have been victorious in back-to-back contests for the first time since they did so in the 2022-23 season when EMU defeated Northern Illinois University (66-61 OT), Jan. 21, before topping Western Michigan University (63-51), Jan. 25.
» The two programs met for the first time since 1983. EMU holds a 5-2 all-time series record following the victory.
Up Next
The Green and White will take a short break to ring in the New Year before traveling to DeKalb, Ill. to begin conference play with Northern Illinois University, Jan. 3.
