Women's Hoops Preps for Weekend

Women's Basketball at Lindenwood / Southern Indiana
Date	Thursday, Dec. 7 \| 6 p.m. CT \| Saturday, Dec. 9 \| 1 p.m. CT
Venue	Hyland Arena (3,270) \| Screaming Eagles Arena (4,800)
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF ) \| Media Guide (PDF) \| Digital Programs
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Listen	NA
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Fan Information	Purchase Tickets

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team prepares for two upcoming road contests as the Eagles are set to travel to St. Charles, Mo., for a visit with the Lindenwood University Lions, Thursday, Dec. 7, before trekking to Evansville, Ind., for a meeting with the Screaming Eagles of the University of Southern Indiana, Saturday, Dec. 7.
                The Green and White (1-5) enter the weekend after falling to both North Dakota State University (L, 93-73) and the University of North Dakota (L, 64-56) on the road, Dec. 1-3. The Lions (0-6) enter the weekend in search of their first season victory while the Screaming Eagles (3-3) are set to face Saint Louis University, Wednesday, Dec. 6, before hosting the Green and White Saturday.

ON AIR
Both Thursday and Saturday's games will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Thursday's tip starting at 6 p.m. CT and Saturday's at 1 p.m. CT. 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.

NELSON'S DAY
Junior ZaNiya Nelson recorded a career-high 12 rebounds in the setback to NDSU, Dec. 1, topping her previous career high of nine recorded against the University of North Dakota, Dec. 4, 2022. Additionally, her 18 points and 12 rebounds were good for the junior's first career double-double and 13th career performance with double-digit points.

ROOKIE IN THE STARTING FIVE
Freshman Cali Denson found herself in the starting lineup for the fifth consecutive game after doing so for the first time in her career in the road game at Georgia Southern University, Nov. 11. Denson has been the only freshman this season to be in the starting five.

THE ROOKIE
Cali Denson led the team in triples made in the loss to NDSU, Dec. 1, as the rookie drained three for a career high. Additionally, Denson's 15 points in the contest topped her previous career high of 12 against SIU-Edwardsville, Nov. 18 for her second 10+ scoring performance. The rookie has connected on a made triple in five of her six appearances after making a single triple against UND, Dec. 3.

AUSTIN-TACIOUS
Lachelle Austin finished the game at NDSU with one made field goal, marking the 39th consecutive game in which the junior has registered at least one make.

WHEN SHE'S ON, SHE'S ON
Olivia Smith led the Eagles in the loss to UND, Dec. 3, with a career-high 21 points, topping her previous career high of 20 against Kent State University, Feb. 25. The 20-piece marked just the second 20-point game of the sophomore's career and the first of the season.

SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH
Sophomore Olivia Smith connected on four shots from beyond the arc in the loss to UND after going 2-for-3 from the three-point line a game prior, at NDSU, Dec.1. It was the fifth contest this season in which Smith has made at least one three-pointer. Last season, the then-rookie led the team in triples, recording at least one make in 25 total games. Her longest streak of consecutive games with a made triple was 13 (Dec. 17, 2022-Feb. 1, 2023).

SCORING IS FUN
The Eagles scored a total of 73 points in the contest at NDSU for a team season-high, topping the 68 against SIUE, Nov. 18. The last time EMU scored 73 or more points in a single contest was in the 2022-23 campaign when the Eagles closed out the regular season with a 74-64 win at Ohio University, March 4.

OFF THE BENCH
The Eastern Michigan bench made an impact by adding 20 points to its scoring output against the Bison. Last season, the Eagles earned 20 or more bench points in seven outings.

KEEP THEM UNDER 70
EMU allowed the least amount of points this season, holding UND only 64 points. Last season, the team allowed 60+ points in 21 games, going 6-15.

SHARP SHOOTERS
The Eagles shot well from three point range over the weekend, knocking down six (at NDSU) and seven (at UND) attempts, respectively, for season highs.

IN THE TOP THREE
Two Eagles currently rank in the MAC top three in Tayra Eke (1st, total blocks - 11; 1st, blocked shots/game - 2.8), and Kennedi Myles (2nd, rebounds/game - 9.8).

ALL-TIME VS. LINDENWOOD
EMU and Lindenwood will meet for just the second time in their respective histories after the Green and White defeated the Lions, 71-56, in its season home-opener, one season ago. In that game, the Eagles registered three players with double-digit points. Lachelle Austin added 16 points, seven assists and three steals while Olivia Smith contributed 13 points off the bench.

ALL-TIME VS. SOUTHERN INDIANA
EMU and Southern Indiana will also meet for just the second time in program history. The Screaming Eagles hold a 66-60 victory over EMU in its first meeting, held inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Dec. 10, 2022. In the loss, Lachelle Austin led the Eagles with 19 points, two steals and three blocks. Tayra Eke added a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds along with her four blocks, while Ce'Nara Skanes added 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

ON THE HORIZON
Following the pair of road contests, the Eagles are slated to close out the 2023 year with one more away game, at IUPUI, Dec. 15, before returning home to host Saginaw Valley University, Dec. 29.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Lachelle Austin

Cali Denson

Tayra Eke

Kennedi Myles

ZaNiya Nelson

Ce'Nara Skanes

Olivia Smith

Eastern Michigan Athletics