Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
12-9,4-6MAC
Central Michigan
4-17,2-8MAC
Women’s Basketball Extinguishes Chippewas in 68-54 Road Win
2/4/2023 3:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Three players scored double-digit points
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Redford), Ce'Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West-FIU), and Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain-IES Orega y Gasset-LIU) combined to score 53 of Eastern Michigan's 68 total points (78 percent) as the Eagles defeated the Central Michigan University Chippewas, 68-54, on the road Saturday, Feb. 4.
Austin led the Eagles (12-9, 4-6 MAC) with 21 points and three steals. Skanes tacked on a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Eke helped out with 14 points, three steals and two blocks.
The Eastern Michigan defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 29 Central Michigan turnovers while committing 16. Those takeaways turned into 29 points on the offensive end of the floor. Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind.-South Side) led the way individually for the Eagles with four steals.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan started strong, going on an 11-0 run, culminating in a bucket from senior Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson), to take an early lead with 4:30 left in the first quarter. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 15-7 advantage. Eastern Michigan did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 15 points close to the basket.
The Eagles maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 30-22 edge. The Green and White forced six Central Michigan turnovers in the period and turned them into four points.
EMU continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Austin, to expand its lead further to 37-29 with 5:31 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Eagles added two points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 49-39 edge. Eastern Michigan took advantage of three Central Michigan turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of takeaways.
Eastern Michigan kept its lead intact before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 62-49 with 3:00 to go in the contest. The Eagles kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 68-54 win. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Eagles opened the first quarter forcing three Chippewas turnovers, collecting three steals in the first two minutes of play. Throughout the game, EMU forced 29 total Central Michigan turnovers while committing only 16 on the other end.
» EMU scored 15 points in the first quarter against Central Michigan, Feb. 4, marking the 12th contest this season in which the Eagles as a team scored 15 or more points in the opening quarter.
» The Green and White defense did a great job holding the Chippewas to zero points in the first seven minutes of play. The opposing seven points that came in the tail-end of the quarter are the fewest amount of points the Eagles have allowed in the opening stanza against a MAC member, this season.
» After posting 18 points and 11 rebounds against CMU, Feb. 4, Skanes has recorded double-doubles in 29 of her 68 career games at EMU (43%), the best percentage of anyone on the 2022-23 roster.
» Austin's 21 points in the contest were just two shy of the sophomores' career-high 23 points set against NIU, Jan. 28. It marked the third time in her career that the Michigan native has recorded 20+ points.
» Skanes' 18 points in the win were the sixth time that Skanes has recorded 18 points or better for the Green and White this season, a team high. Additionally, the junior has recorded 18 in consecutive games. Her season best is 23 against Toledo, Jan. 28 while her career-best is 30 points which she set against the University of Illinois Chicago, Nov. 29, 2020.
» Eastern Michigan grabbed 16 steals in the win, Feb. 4. It was the fifth time this season the Eagles have pick-pocketed its opponent 10 or more times in a game. Last season, the team registered 10 or more steals in 10 contest. Additionally, the 16 thefts marks as a season-high for the team, topping its previous 13 set in two different ocassions.
» Skanes led the Eagles in triples with two makes from beyond the arc against the Chips, Feb. 4. Prior to this season, the junior had only made one three in her career. This season, Skanes has made 16 three-point baskets. She has now led the team in single-game three-point makes five times this season.
» Eastern held Central to just 22 points in the first 20 minutes of play, Feb. 4. It was the 13th time this season the Eagles have held their opponents to under 30 points at halftime. EMU held opponents to 30 points or fewer in the first half of play in just six contest last season.
» Five EMU players tallied two or more steals in the win over CMU, Feb. 4. It was the seventh time this season in which the Green and White have had at least three players with multiple steals in a game. If Eastern can keep the trend going, the team is on pace to topping last season's 10 games with three or more players recording two-plus steals in a single game. Additionally, the five Eagles with multiple steals in a single game is the most for EMU since Feb. 16, 2022 when the Green and White defeated Miami University, 70-61.
Historical Notes:
» Today's matchup marked the 93rd meeting between the instate rivals. The Eagles trail the all-time series, 39-54. However, after today's _-_ win, EMU has come away with the last four contests between the two. Head Coach Fred Castro broke the program's nine-game losing streak against the Chippewas in the 2020-21 season, earning his first victory over the rival school, 70-67, inside McGuirk Arena, Jan. 20, 2021. Since then, Castro has not loss to the Chips.
» The victory over the Chippewas also gives EMU consecutive wins inside the McGuirk Arena for the first time since it did so in the 2006-08 seasons. In those years, Eastern defeated CMU, 57-50, Feb. 28, 2007 before following it up with another win in Mount Pleasant, 68-66, Jan. 19, 2008.
Up Next:
Following the road win, the Green and White return home in time to host the Cardinals of Ball State University, Wednesday, Feb. 8 inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will broadcast on ESPN+.
