Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 11
Ypsilanti, Mich.
5 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Back In Action: Women's Hoops Host Western Michigan
2/9/2023 1:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Eagles look for the series sweep over the Broncos
| Women's Basketball vs. Western Michigan | |
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 5 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), Reggie Butler (analyst) |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) | The Varsity Network App | Eastern Insider Podcast |
| @EMUWBB | @EMUAthletics | |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team looks for its second victory of the season over its in-state rival, the Western Michigan University Broncos, Saturday, Feb. 11, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the first part of a doubleheader day with the men's team.
EMU (12-10, 4-7 MAC) is looking to bounce back after holding the league leaders, Ball State University to just 68 points in a loss, Feb. 8. The Eagles will face a Western Michigan (10-12, 5-6 MAC) team that is coming off a 71-53 loss to Miami University, Feb. 8.
Saturday's game will broadcast on ESPN3, where Ryan Wooley (play-by-play) and Reggie Butler (analyst) will have the call. Fans can also tune in via WEMU (89.1 FM) or the Varsity Network app, where Tom Helmer will provide the blow-by-blow.
PLAY4KAY: EMU women's basketball will be hosting its Annual Play4Kay game, Saturday, Feb. 11. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the ongoing effort to raise money for research and projects to end the fight against breast cancer. To donate directly to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, click here. Eastern Athletics thanks you for your support!
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: By attending the women's game, fans can also participate in Happy Hour with our BeerFest Celebration! Happy Hour begins when the women's game tips off and ends when the men's game starts at roughly 7:30 p.m. All beer purchases will be $2 off during Happy Hour.
ALUMNI DAY: Saturday, Feb. 11 is also Alumni Day where all EMU Alums can purchase an $8 discounted ticket when they enter promo code EMU ALUM! For all of your ticket needs check out click here or call the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669!
RECORD BOOK WATCH: Forward Ce'Nara Skanes is on pace to reach the 1,000-point plateau in 2023. Already a 1,000-point collegiate scorer (1,185, 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 (65 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).
CLOSE-CONNECTIONS: Western Michigan Head Coach Shane Clipfell spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at EMU, and was the acting head coach for most of the 2006-07 season when then-head coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave. While serving as the acting head coach for the majority of the 2006-07 season, he guided the Eagles to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-6 finish in the MAC, good for second place in the West Division. Individually, Sarah VanMetre became the first women's basketball player in program history to be named Academic All-American, Patrice McKinney was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Alyssa Pittman was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.
BUILT DIFFERENT: Tayra Eke added four blocks against Ball State, Feb. 8, to bring her season total to 42 in 22 games, a team best. The four blocks tied her career-high, previously set against Southern Indiana, Dec. 10. The sophomore sits in first place in total blocks and in blocks per game in the conference, averaging 4.9 blocks per game on the season. Additionally, Eke has posted seven games with three or more blocks. Last season, Ce'Nara Skanes recorded three or more blocks in three games, a team season-high.
ENJOY-CHELLE: Lachelle Austin scored 15 points to lead the offense for EMU against Ball State, Feb. 8. It was the 13th time this season that the sophomore has scored in double digits for the Green and White and the eighth time leading in scoring. The sophomore trails teammate Ce'Nara Skanes for the leading scorer title this season by just five tallies, averaging 12.6 points per game.
CA-(BAE)-LLO IS TURNING HEADS: In just her 15th game appearance as a collegiate athlete, freshman Elena Cabello made the most of her playing time against Ball State, Feb. 8, connecting on two shots from beyond the arc. Her 2-for-2 performance from the three-point line was the second time the rookie has recorded two triples in a game, previously doing so against Florida A&M, Nov. 19, 2022, when she went 2-of-3 from the arc. With 20 total attempts and five made-baskets, the Spaniard holds a .250 three-point percentage.
PERFECTION ON THE STRIPE (ALMOST): EMU shot 8-for-9 from the free throw line in the loss to Ball State, Feb. 8, totaling an 88.9 free-throw percentage. The effort was the third best percentage the Eagles have shot from the free throw line this season. Previously, the team shot 100 percent (9-for-9) against Northern Illinois, Jan. 21, and then went 90.9 percent (10-of-11) at Western Michigan, Jan. 25. Last season, the Eagles shot 90 percent or better from the charity stripe in only one game, Feb. 23, 2022 at NIU. In that game, EMU went 9-for-10 from the line.
SUBSCRIBING TO THE TRIPLES CLUB: Eastern Michigan saw sophomore Kyndal Lewis join the three-point club as she drained her first career triple in the loss to Ball State, Feb. 8. Lewis has had only six career attempts at the three prior to the contest.
TURNOVER TOWN: The Green and White forced 15 BSU turnovers in the loss, Feb. 8. It was the 16th contest in the 22 games this season in which EMU has forced 15-plus possession changes. Last season, the feat of 15 or more forced turnovers was accomplished 18 times in 27 outings.
Eastern Michigan currently ranks fourth in the Mid-American Conference, forcing 17.05 turnovers per contest. EMU has not had a season in which it has forced an average of 17 or more turnovers per game since the 2019-20 campaign, where it forced 17.8 blunders per contest. EMU's best-ever mark in the Fred Castro Era (2016-Pres.) was 18.6 turnovers forced per game, which came in the 2017-18 season.
UNDER 30 IN 20: Eastern Michigan held Ball State to just 28 points in the first half of the game, Feb. 8. It marked the 14th time this season Eastern has held a team under 30 in the first half, and the third consecutive game accomplishing the feat. (27 points against both Ohio, Feb. 1 and Central Michigan, Feb. 4). The team held opponents to 27 points or fewer in the first half of play in just six contest last season.
SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH: Freshman Olivia Smith continues to impress as she knocked down another triple in the game against BSU, Feb. 8. The rookie has at least one three-point make in all but two contest this season (20-of-22). Her 41 buckets from beyond the arc so far tops last season's freshman leader in three-pointers, ZaNiya Nelson who accumulated 18 threes' in the 2021-22 season. Smith is 29 made three-pointers away from cracking EMU's top-10 in single-season three-pointers made. Holding the 10th spot is former Eagle Cha Sweeney who made 70 treys in the 2015-16 season.
ALL-TIME VERSUS WESTERN MICHIGAN: Saturday's matchup will mark the 94th meeting between Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. EMU leads the all-time series, 52-41, and looks for its second consecutive win over the Broncos after a thrilling 63-51 victory at WMU, Jan. 25. In that game, the Eagles broke a three-game losing streak against WMU and picked up Head Coach Fred Castro's fifth victory over the Kalamazoo-based team.
EARNING A TWO-PIECE: Eastern is looking for its second consecutive win over WMU, after defeating the Broncos 63-51 in their home turf earlier in the season, Jan. 25. With a win, the Eagles would claim victory over the in-state rival school in consecutive games for the 10th time. The last time the Green and White won back-to-back games against Western in a single season was in the 2015-16 campaign when EMU took two straight, once at home in double overtime, Feb. 6, 2016, and again on the road, March 2, 2016.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BRONCOS: The Eagles saw three players score in double figures, led by ZaNiya Nelson, who had 12 points and six rebounds in the victory over WMU, Jan. 25. Olivia Smith tacked on 12 points and three steals and Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu helped out with 10 points and eight rebounds. EMU grabbed 43 rebounds in the game compared to WMU's 27, led by nine boards from Tayra Eke. Eastern's defense held Western's to only 15.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 29.1 percent from the field. The Eagles also limited Maddie Watters to 1-of-7 shooting from downtown and six points in the game. The Broncos did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed six second-chance points while EMU cleared 35 defensive boards.
BOARD GAMES: The addition of sophomore Tayra Eke along with 500-Rebounds Club member Ce'Nara Skanes has made quite the impact on the defensive rebounds count for Eastern Michigan. The pair collected an even five defensive boards each in the contest against BSU, Feb. 8. This season, the team has recorded 589 defensive boards in 22 games (26.8 drpg) with help from Eke (105), and Skanes (125). Last season, the Green and White collected 685 defensive rebounds in 27 games (25.4 rpg). The Eagles are on pace to top the previous season's defensive rebounding average.
Moreover, EMU is out-rebounding its opponents 842-785 in the 2022-23 campaign. Last season, the Eagles lost the rebounding battle 1,029-1,008. Additionally, the team's 39.2 rebounds per game leads the MAC.
BUILDING A BETTER WALL: EMU has registered a total of 106 blocks in the 22 games played (4.8 blocks per game). A season ago, the Green and White earned 88 blocks in 27 games (3.3 blocks per game). Not only did the Eagles surpass the previous season's total in almost half the amount of games, but they are on pace to have the most successful blocking average in program history.
LOPSIDED: Eastern Michigan has been no stranger to lopsided games this year in terms of scoring margin. In Eastern's 12 wins, the Eagles have upended their competition by an average of 11.4 points per contest. Meanwhile, the team's 10 setbacks have come by an average of 14 .6 points. With the 66-61 win over NIU, Jan. 25, just two games this season have been decided by five or fewer points (vs. Miami, Jan. 4). Last season, four games were decided within that margin.
EAGLES IN THE MAC: Four Eagles rank in various statistical categories throughout the MAC. Holding the highest ranking for the Green and White is sophomore Tayra Eke, who leads the league in total blocks (42) and blocks per game (1.9). Additionally, Eke's 6.9 rebounds per game is good for eighth in the league. Freshman Olivia Smith ranks 10th in the MAC in three-pointers per game (1.9), while sophomore Lachelle Austin's 2.0 steals per game is good for sixth in the conference. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes' 8.0 rebounds per game ranks her fourth in the league and her 169 total boards ranks her sixth.
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 303-398 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: Following Saturday's game, the Eagles will take the court with the University of Akron Zips, Wednesday, Feb. 15, inside the James A. Rhodes Arena located in Akron, Ohio. The contest is slated for 7 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.
EMU (12-10, 4-7 MAC) is looking to bounce back after holding the league leaders, Ball State University to just 68 points in a loss, Feb. 8. The Eagles will face a Western Michigan (10-12, 5-6 MAC) team that is coming off a 71-53 loss to Miami University, Feb. 8.
Saturday's game will broadcast on ESPN3, where Ryan Wooley (play-by-play) and Reggie Butler (analyst) will have the call. Fans can also tune in via WEMU (89.1 FM) or the Varsity Network app, where Tom Helmer will provide the blow-by-blow.
PLAY4KAY: EMU women's basketball will be hosting its Annual Play4Kay game, Saturday, Feb. 11. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of the ongoing effort to raise money for research and projects to end the fight against breast cancer. To donate directly to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, click here. Eastern Athletics thanks you for your support!
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: By attending the women's game, fans can also participate in Happy Hour with our BeerFest Celebration! Happy Hour begins when the women's game tips off and ends when the men's game starts at roughly 7:30 p.m. All beer purchases will be $2 off during Happy Hour.
ALUMNI DAY: Saturday, Feb. 11 is also Alumni Day where all EMU Alums can purchase an $8 discounted ticket when they enter promo code EMU ALUM! For all of your ticket needs check out click here or call the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669!
RECORD BOOK WATCH: Forward Ce'Nara Skanes is on pace to reach the 1,000-point plateau in 2023. Already a 1,000-point collegiate scorer (1,185, 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 (65 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).
CLOSE-CONNECTIONS: Western Michigan Head Coach Shane Clipfell spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at EMU, and was the acting head coach for most of the 2006-07 season when then-head coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave. While serving as the acting head coach for the majority of the 2006-07 season, he guided the Eagles to a 16-13 overall record and a 10-6 finish in the MAC, good for second place in the West Division. Individually, Sarah VanMetre became the first women's basketball player in program history to be named Academic All-American, Patrice McKinney was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year and Alyssa Pittman was named the MAC Freshman of the Year.
BUILT DIFFERENT: Tayra Eke added four blocks against Ball State, Feb. 8, to bring her season total to 42 in 22 games, a team best. The four blocks tied her career-high, previously set against Southern Indiana, Dec. 10. The sophomore sits in first place in total blocks and in blocks per game in the conference, averaging 4.9 blocks per game on the season. Additionally, Eke has posted seven games with three or more blocks. Last season, Ce'Nara Skanes recorded three or more blocks in three games, a team season-high.
ENJOY-CHELLE: Lachelle Austin scored 15 points to lead the offense for EMU against Ball State, Feb. 8. It was the 13th time this season that the sophomore has scored in double digits for the Green and White and the eighth time leading in scoring. The sophomore trails teammate Ce'Nara Skanes for the leading scorer title this season by just five tallies, averaging 12.6 points per game.
CA-(BAE)-LLO IS TURNING HEADS: In just her 15th game appearance as a collegiate athlete, freshman Elena Cabello made the most of her playing time against Ball State, Feb. 8, connecting on two shots from beyond the arc. Her 2-for-2 performance from the three-point line was the second time the rookie has recorded two triples in a game, previously doing so against Florida A&M, Nov. 19, 2022, when she went 2-of-3 from the arc. With 20 total attempts and five made-baskets, the Spaniard holds a .250 three-point percentage.
PERFECTION ON THE STRIPE (ALMOST): EMU shot 8-for-9 from the free throw line in the loss to Ball State, Feb. 8, totaling an 88.9 free-throw percentage. The effort was the third best percentage the Eagles have shot from the free throw line this season. Previously, the team shot 100 percent (9-for-9) against Northern Illinois, Jan. 21, and then went 90.9 percent (10-of-11) at Western Michigan, Jan. 25. Last season, the Eagles shot 90 percent or better from the charity stripe in only one game, Feb. 23, 2022 at NIU. In that game, EMU went 9-for-10 from the line.
SUBSCRIBING TO THE TRIPLES CLUB: Eastern Michigan saw sophomore Kyndal Lewis join the three-point club as she drained her first career triple in the loss to Ball State, Feb. 8. Lewis has had only six career attempts at the three prior to the contest.
TURNOVER TOWN: The Green and White forced 15 BSU turnovers in the loss, Feb. 8. It was the 16th contest in the 22 games this season in which EMU has forced 15-plus possession changes. Last season, the feat of 15 or more forced turnovers was accomplished 18 times in 27 outings.
Eastern Michigan currently ranks fourth in the Mid-American Conference, forcing 17.05 turnovers per contest. EMU has not had a season in which it has forced an average of 17 or more turnovers per game since the 2019-20 campaign, where it forced 17.8 blunders per contest. EMU's best-ever mark in the Fred Castro Era (2016-Pres.) was 18.6 turnovers forced per game, which came in the 2017-18 season.
UNDER 30 IN 20: Eastern Michigan held Ball State to just 28 points in the first half of the game, Feb. 8. It marked the 14th time this season Eastern has held a team under 30 in the first half, and the third consecutive game accomplishing the feat. (27 points against both Ohio, Feb. 1 and Central Michigan, Feb. 4). The team held opponents to 27 points or fewer in the first half of play in just six contest last season.
SHARP-SHOOTING SMITH: Freshman Olivia Smith continues to impress as she knocked down another triple in the game against BSU, Feb. 8. The rookie has at least one three-point make in all but two contest this season (20-of-22). Her 41 buckets from beyond the arc so far tops last season's freshman leader in three-pointers, ZaNiya Nelson who accumulated 18 threes' in the 2021-22 season. Smith is 29 made three-pointers away from cracking EMU's top-10 in single-season three-pointers made. Holding the 10th spot is former Eagle Cha Sweeney who made 70 treys in the 2015-16 season.
ALL-TIME VERSUS WESTERN MICHIGAN: Saturday's matchup will mark the 94th meeting between Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. EMU leads the all-time series, 52-41, and looks for its second consecutive win over the Broncos after a thrilling 63-51 victory at WMU, Jan. 25. In that game, the Eagles broke a three-game losing streak against WMU and picked up Head Coach Fred Castro's fifth victory over the Kalamazoo-based team.
EARNING A TWO-PIECE: Eastern is looking for its second consecutive win over WMU, after defeating the Broncos 63-51 in their home turf earlier in the season, Jan. 25. With a win, the Eagles would claim victory over the in-state rival school in consecutive games for the 10th time. The last time the Green and White won back-to-back games against Western in a single season was in the 2015-16 campaign when EMU took two straight, once at home in double overtime, Feb. 6, 2016, and again on the road, March 2, 2016.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BRONCOS: The Eagles saw three players score in double figures, led by ZaNiya Nelson, who had 12 points and six rebounds in the victory over WMU, Jan. 25. Olivia Smith tacked on 12 points and three steals and Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu helped out with 10 points and eight rebounds. EMU grabbed 43 rebounds in the game compared to WMU's 27, led by nine boards from Tayra Eke. Eastern's defense held Western's to only 15.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 29.1 percent from the field. The Eagles also limited Maddie Watters to 1-of-7 shooting from downtown and six points in the game. The Broncos did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed six second-chance points while EMU cleared 35 defensive boards.
BOARD GAMES: The addition of sophomore Tayra Eke along with 500-Rebounds Club member Ce'Nara Skanes has made quite the impact on the defensive rebounds count for Eastern Michigan. The pair collected an even five defensive boards each in the contest against BSU, Feb. 8. This season, the team has recorded 589 defensive boards in 22 games (26.8 drpg) with help from Eke (105), and Skanes (125). Last season, the Green and White collected 685 defensive rebounds in 27 games (25.4 rpg). The Eagles are on pace to top the previous season's defensive rebounding average.
Moreover, EMU is out-rebounding its opponents 842-785 in the 2022-23 campaign. Last season, the Eagles lost the rebounding battle 1,029-1,008. Additionally, the team's 39.2 rebounds per game leads the MAC.
BUILDING A BETTER WALL: EMU has registered a total of 106 blocks in the 22 games played (4.8 blocks per game). A season ago, the Green and White earned 88 blocks in 27 games (3.3 blocks per game). Not only did the Eagles surpass the previous season's total in almost half the amount of games, but they are on pace to have the most successful blocking average in program history.
LOPSIDED: Eastern Michigan has been no stranger to lopsided games this year in terms of scoring margin. In Eastern's 12 wins, the Eagles have upended their competition by an average of 11.4 points per contest. Meanwhile, the team's 10 setbacks have come by an average of 14 .6 points. With the 66-61 win over NIU, Jan. 25, just two games this season have been decided by five or fewer points (vs. Miami, Jan. 4). Last season, four games were decided within that margin.
EAGLES IN THE MAC: Four Eagles rank in various statistical categories throughout the MAC. Holding the highest ranking for the Green and White is sophomore Tayra Eke, who leads the league in total blocks (42) and blocks per game (1.9). Additionally, Eke's 6.9 rebounds per game is good for eighth in the league. Freshman Olivia Smith ranks 10th in the MAC in three-pointers per game (1.9), while sophomore Lachelle Austin's 2.0 steals per game is good for sixth in the conference. Junior Ce'Nara Skanes' 8.0 rebounds per game ranks her fourth in the league and her 169 total boards ranks her sixth.
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 303-398 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: Following Saturday's game, the Eagles will take the court with the University of Akron Zips, Wednesday, Feb. 15, inside the James A. Rhodes Arena located in Akron, Ohio. The contest is slated for 7 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
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