Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 27
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5-13,2-6MAC
50
vs
75
Ball State
18-2,8-0MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Ball St.
13
23
15
24
75
Eastern Mich.
12
15
14
9
50
EMU Falls to League-Leading Ball State Despite First Half Effort
1/27/2024 2:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Thompson leads the Eagles with 14 points
Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team fought valiantly against the No. 1 Ball State University Cardinals, who hold a clean 8-0 Mid-American Conference record, but ultimately fell, 75-50, Saturday, Jan. 27, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
The Eagles (5-13, 2-6) had two players score in double figures, led by Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill./Bolingbrook/Louisiana State), who had 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Southside) added 10 points and Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU) added six points and 11 rebounds.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 13-12.
A
Ball State kept adding to that lead, building a 15-12 advantage before the Eagles went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Thompson, to take an 18-15 lead. The Cardinals then came roaring back to take a 36-27 lead heading into halftime.
The Green and White's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Eagles faced a 51-41 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. EMU knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 14 total points.
The Eagles could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 75-50. Eastern Michigan fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its nine points.
Game Notes
» Thompson found herself in the starting five for the second time this season and just the third in her career at EMU. The last time the junior started a game was at Ohio, Jan. 20, when the team fell 72-62 to the Bobcats.
» Thompson has found her groove on the court as she posted 14 points in the setback to Ball State, Jan. 27. It marked just the second time this season in which the LSU transfer has produced double-digit points after posting 10 at Northern Illinois University, Jan. 3. The junior's career-high still stands at 20 which she earned over Grace Christian University, Nov. 18, 2021.
» Olivia Westphal (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park/Duquesne) drained a single three in the contest with Ball State, Jan. 27. After going a perfect 2-for-2 from deep against the Golden Flashes, Jan. 24 and hitting 3-of-3 against Ohio, Jan. 20, the Duquesne transfer has provided a made triple in three consecutive games for the first time in her career. Additionally, it was her 15th made triple as an EMU Eagle and the 21st of her career.
» Smith earned double-digit points for the first time since she posted 13 at Ohio, Jan. 20. It was the sixth double-digit point production of the season for the sophomore and the 16th of her career.
» Smith connected on two shots from beyond the arc in the loss to Ball State, going 2-for-7. It was the 14th contest this season in which Smith has made a single three-pointer. Last season, the then-rookie led the team in triples recording a single make in 25 total games. Her longest streak of consecutive games with a made triple was 13 (Dec. 17, 2022- Feb. 1, 2023).
» Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial) chipped in with four assists to the Eastern Michigan offense. The junior has provided four or more helpers in a single contest in 14 of her career games. Additionally, Austin has recorded four assists in consecutive games for the sixth time in her three years at EMU.
Historical Notes
» After her 11 rebounds against Ball State, Jan. 27, Eke sits just 76 boards away from her career milestone 500. Additionally, the junior is just 13 blocks away from her career milestone 150.
» With the 89th meeting upcoming, despite the loss, Eastern Michigan boasts a 45-44 edge in the all-time series with Ball State. Additionally, the Eagles have bested the Cardinals in four of the last 10 meetings.
Up Next
Eastern will continue conference play at home as it prepares to host the Broncos of Western Michigan University Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team fought valiantly against the No. 1 Ball State University Cardinals, who hold a clean 8-0 Mid-American Conference record, but ultimately fell, 75-50, Saturday, Jan. 27, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
The Eagles (5-13, 2-6) had two players score in double figures, led by Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill./Bolingbrook/Louisiana State), who had 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Southside) added 10 points and Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU) added six points and 11 rebounds.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 13-12.
A
Ball State kept adding to that lead, building a 15-12 advantage before the Eagles went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Thompson, to take an 18-15 lead. The Cardinals then came roaring back to take a 36-27 lead heading into halftime.
The Green and White's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Eagles faced a 51-41 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. EMU knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 14 total points.
The Eagles could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 75-50. Eastern Michigan fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its nine points.
Game Notes
» Thompson found herself in the starting five for the second time this season and just the third in her career at EMU. The last time the junior started a game was at Ohio, Jan. 20, when the team fell 72-62 to the Bobcats.
» Thompson has found her groove on the court as she posted 14 points in the setback to Ball State, Jan. 27. It marked just the second time this season in which the LSU transfer has produced double-digit points after posting 10 at Northern Illinois University, Jan. 3. The junior's career-high still stands at 20 which she earned over Grace Christian University, Nov. 18, 2021.
» Olivia Westphal (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park/Duquesne) drained a single three in the contest with Ball State, Jan. 27. After going a perfect 2-for-2 from deep against the Golden Flashes, Jan. 24 and hitting 3-of-3 against Ohio, Jan. 20, the Duquesne transfer has provided a made triple in three consecutive games for the first time in her career. Additionally, it was her 15th made triple as an EMU Eagle and the 21st of her career.
» Smith earned double-digit points for the first time since she posted 13 at Ohio, Jan. 20. It was the sixth double-digit point production of the season for the sophomore and the 16th of her career.
» Smith connected on two shots from beyond the arc in the loss to Ball State, going 2-for-7. It was the 14th contest this season in which Smith has made a single three-pointer. Last season, the then-rookie led the team in triples recording a single make in 25 total games. Her longest streak of consecutive games with a made triple was 13 (Dec. 17, 2022- Feb. 1, 2023).
» Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial) chipped in with four assists to the Eastern Michigan offense. The junior has provided four or more helpers in a single contest in 14 of her career games. Additionally, Austin has recorded four assists in consecutive games for the sixth time in her three years at EMU.
Historical Notes
» After her 11 rebounds against Ball State, Jan. 27, Eke sits just 76 boards away from her career milestone 500. Additionally, the junior is just 13 blocks away from her career milestone 150.
» With the 89th meeting upcoming, despite the loss, Eastern Michigan boasts a 45-44 edge in the all-time series with Ball State. Additionally, the Eagles have bested the Cardinals in four of the last 10 meetings.
Up Next
Eastern will continue conference play at home as it prepares to host the Broncos of Western Michigan University Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.
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Team Stats
BSU
EMU
FG%
.528
.396
3FG%
.435
.235
FT%
.750
.571
RB
32
26
TO
11
16
STL
7
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
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