Eastern Michigan Athletics

Saturday, January 13
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1 p.m.

Eastern Michigan University

4-10,1-3MAC

60
vs
64

Central Michigan

2-11,1-3MAC

1
2
3
4
F
Central Mich.
21
14
10
19
64
Eastern Mich.
18
7
21
14
60

Eagles Downed by Central Michigan, 64-60

1/13/2024 3:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Austin leads Eagles with 14 points

Highlight Video

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com)
– The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team held Central Michigan University to just 20 percent from deep in a 2-for-10 shooting performance, but fell 64-60 to the Chippewas at home Saturday, Jan. 13. 
 
The Eagles (4-10, 1-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial), who had 14 points. Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU) tacked on 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks and Cali Denson (Milwaukie, Ore./Milwaukie Academy of the Arts) chipped in as well with 11 points.
 
Led by Kennedi Myles' (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette) three offensive rebounds, Eastern Michigan did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 15 second chance points.
 
The Eagles forced 20 Chippewa turnovers while committing 16 themselves in Saturday's game. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor.  ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City West) led the way individually with four steals.
 
How It Happened
After falling behind 11-3, Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run with 5:17 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Southside), to narrow its deficit to 11-9. Central Michigan answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Eagles down 21-18 entering the second quarter.
 
The Eagles continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 35-25 halftime deficit.
 
After intermission, EMU cut its deficit to 41-35 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Denson, to grab a 42-41 lead with 3:34 to go in the third. The Eagles held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 46-45 edge. The Green and White knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 21 total points.
 
Central Michigan then erased the EMU lead in the game's final quarter for a 64-60 comeback victory. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its fourth-quarter 14 points in the paint.
 
Game Notes
» Eke's 13 points against the Falcons marks the sixth consecutive game with double-digit points. In addition, it was the eighth showing with 10-plus points of the season and the 21st of her career.
» Eke recorded multiple blocks in the setback for the eighth time this season. Last season, the junior recorded the feat in 17 contests. 
» Austin appeared back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last six outings. The last time the junior was in the starting five was at North Dakota State University, Dec. 1. As a freshman, Austin started in 21 contests and then 29 as a sophomore. 
»  Austin posted 14 points in the contest for her third double-figure point production of the season and the 28th of her career. The last time the junior scored in double-digit points was when she earned a 27-piece at Lindenwood University, Dec. 1. Last season, the Michigan native recorded the feat in 18 games after doing so in seven during her rookie season. 
» Three Eagles assisted on a bucket three times in the same contest. Myles provided three assists, marking the fifth time this season with three or more helpers in one game. Additionally, it was Eke's fourth season contest with three or more assists and Austin's third. 
» Denson was in the starting lineup for the 13th consecutive game after doing so for the first time in her career in the road game at Georgia Southern University, Nov. 11. Denson continues to be the only freshman this season to be in the starting five.
» EMU won the blocking-battle against the Chippewas, 4-2. It was the fifth time this season the Eagles have out-blocked their opponent. Last season, the team recorded more blocks than its foe in 19 contests. 
» The Eagles forced 20 CMU turnovers in the setback. It marked the fourth time this season in which EMU has forced 20 or more turnovers in a single game, the most being 25 against IUPUI, Dec. 15. 
» Eastern Michigan had three players score at least 10 points in the contest. The last time EMU had three or more players score ten or more points in the same game was in a 68-65 win over SIUE, Nov. 18.  
 
Historical Notes
» Saturday's matchup marked the 94th meeting between the instate rivals. CMU holds the all-time series record, 55-39 over EMU.
 
Up Next
Eastern will continue conference play at home as it readies to host Miami University, Wednesday, Jan. 17, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Team Stats

CMU
EMU
FG%
.478
.397
3FG%
.200
.261
FT%
.783
.571
RB
34
28
TO
20
16
STL
6
8

Game Leaders

Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
1

Players Mentioned

G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
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