Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 10
Ypsilanti, Mich.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-16,2-9MAC
81
vs
69
South Alabama
8-17,1-11Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
South Alabama
7
15
18
29
69
Eastern Mich.
20
16
20
25
81
Women's Hoops Cruises Past South Alabama, 81-69
2/10/2024 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Five Eagles produced double-digit points in the victory
Highlight Video | Blanton Postgame Interview
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team cruised past Sun Belt Conference foe the University of South Alabama, 81-69, in the second leg of the Mid-American Conference/SBC Challenge, Saturday, Feb. 10, at home.
The Eagles (6-16) saw five players score in double figures, led by Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU), who had 13 points. Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Southside) added 12 points from the bench and Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette) helped out with her third consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Eastern Michigan collected 30 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to South Alabama's 18, led by Treasure Thompson's (Joliet, Ill./Bolingbrook/Louisiana State) 11 boards. The Eagles also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into 12 second chance points.
Eastern Michigan forced 23 South Alabama turnovers. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 28 points on the other end of the floor. Olivia Westphal's (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park/Duquesne) four steals led the way for the Green and White.
How It Happened
After falling behind 7-6, Eastern Michigan went on a 14-0 run with 6:58 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial), to take a 20-7 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. The Eagles did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.
The Green and White kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 12-0 run starting at the 4:31 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Eke, to increase its lead to 34-17. The Jaguars cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 36-22 advantage heading into halftime. Eastern Michigan dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.
The Eagles continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 11-0 run to expand its lead further to 56-38 with 39 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Jaguars had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 56-40 edge. Eastern Michigan played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 20 points in the paint.
The Eagles then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Eastern Michigan got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 17 of its 25 total points.
Game Notes
» Myles recorded her 16th career double-double and the sixth in an Eastern jersey with her 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Jaguars, Feb. 10. The graduate student has earned a double-double in three consecutive games for the first time in her career. (13 pts/13 reb vs. Akron, Feb. 7, and 17 pts/10 reb at Buffalo, Feb. 3).
» Myles chipped in with three assists against the Jaguars defense, Feb. 10, marking her sixth game at Eastern with three or more helpers in a single contest and the 21st of her career.
» Dara Capaldi (East Detroit, Mich./La Lumiere (Ind.)) earned her fourth collegiate start in the game with South Alabama, Feb. 10, after doing so for the first time against WMU, Jan. 31. The Michigan native posted 10 points in the victory for her second consecutive double-digit performance after posting a personal-best 14 points versus Akron, Feb. 7.
» Smith connected on two shots from beyond the arc, going 2-of-4 from the three point line in the contest versus the Jaguars, Feb. 10. It was the 18th 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).
» Smith's 10 points in the victory over South Alabama, Feb. 10, marked her seventh season double-digit outcome and the 17th of her two-year career.
» After making her Eastern debut against Akron, Feb. 7, Nia Boston (Stockton, Calif./Modesto Christian/Delta College/Mesa CC) earned her first start as an Eagle as she posted a season-high five points and two assists in 16 minutes of play against USA, Feb. 10.
» Olivia Westphal hit three three's in the victory over USA, Feb. 10, for the first time since she went a perfect 3-for-3 from deep against the Bobcats, Jan. 20. It was just the fourth contest in which she has connected on three or more triples and the fifth of her career. Additionally, her 11 points tied her season-high at EMU and fell one short of her career-high 12 set against Brown University, Nov. 11, 2022, as a Duquesne Duke, marking just the fourth appearance with double-figure points.
» Additionally, Westphal snagged four steals in the win over the Jaguars, Feb. 10. The four takeaways marked a career-high for the junior transfer topping the three she recorded at Ohio, Jan. 20.
» The last time the Eagles were victorious was when the team defeated Miami University, 53-48, Jan. 17 at home. After the home win over South Alabama, the Green and White hold a 4-6 record when playing inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center this season.
» Five Eagles recorded double-digit points in the same game for just the second time this season as Capaldi scored 10, Westphal and Myles posted 11 each, Smith earned 12, and Eke led with 13. The last time the team accomplished the feat was when five players entered double-digit points in the overtime victory over IUPUI, Dec. 15. Prior to that, EMU had not seen the feat since Jan. 8, 2022, when EMU topped Central Michigan with five players earning 10+ points.
» The team's 81 total points in the victory over South Alabama, Feb. 10, marked the second time this season the Eagles have scored 80+ points, going 2-0 in such games. The Eagles last scored 80+ points when they topped IUPUI in overtime, 84-74, Dec. 15. Last season, the team did not have an 80+ point game with the closest being 77 in the 77-70 victory over FAMU, Nov. 19, 2022.
» EMU hit seven triples in the win, Feb. 10. It marked the fifth time this season the team has hit seven or more with eight being the team's season high, set in two different occasions this season.
» The Eagles never trailed after taking a 20-7 first quarter lead. The Green and White's largest lead over the Jaguars was 18. The team managed to hold the lead for the longest amount of time of the season, holding it for 38:20.
» The Eagles forced 23 South Alabama turnovers in the win, Feb. 10. It marked the sixth time this season in which EMU has forced 20 or more turnovers in a single game, the most being 25 against IUPUI, Dec. 15.
Historical Notes
» After her four rebounds, Eke sits just 52 boards away from her career milestone 500. Additionally, the junior is just 10 blocks away from her career milestone 150.
» Saturday's contest marked the second part of the MAC-SBC Challenge. The women's team was paired up with South Alabama, based on real-time NET rankings, and marked the first meeting between the two institutions. After the victory, EMU is 1-0 against South Alabama.
Up Next
Eastern will step back into conference play as the team readies to take on NIU Saturday, Feb. 17, at home. The contest will take place inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and will tip off at 1 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team cruised past Sun Belt Conference foe the University of South Alabama, 81-69, in the second leg of the Mid-American Conference/SBC Challenge, Saturday, Feb. 10, at home.
The Eagles (6-16) saw five players score in double figures, led by Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU), who had 13 points. Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind./Southside) added 12 points from the bench and Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette) helped out with her third consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Eastern Michigan collected 30 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to South Alabama's 18, led by Treasure Thompson's (Joliet, Ill./Bolingbrook/Louisiana State) 11 boards. The Eagles also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into 12 second chance points.
Eastern Michigan forced 23 South Alabama turnovers. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 28 points on the other end of the floor. Olivia Westphal's (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park/Duquesne) four steals led the way for the Green and White.
How It Happened
After falling behind 7-6, Eastern Michigan went on a 14-0 run with 6:58 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial), to take a 20-7 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. The Eagles did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.
The Green and White kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 12-0 run starting at the 4:31 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Eke, to increase its lead to 34-17. The Jaguars cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 36-22 advantage heading into halftime. Eastern Michigan dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.
The Eagles continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 11-0 run to expand its lead further to 56-38 with 39 seconds to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Jaguars had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 56-40 edge. Eastern Michigan played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 20 points in the paint.
The Eagles then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Eastern Michigan got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 17 of its 25 total points.
Game Notes
» Myles recorded her 16th career double-double and the sixth in an Eastern jersey with her 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Jaguars, Feb. 10. The graduate student has earned a double-double in three consecutive games for the first time in her career. (13 pts/13 reb vs. Akron, Feb. 7, and 17 pts/10 reb at Buffalo, Feb. 3).
» Myles chipped in with three assists against the Jaguars defense, Feb. 10, marking her sixth game at Eastern with three or more helpers in a single contest and the 21st of her career.
» Dara Capaldi (East Detroit, Mich./La Lumiere (Ind.)) earned her fourth collegiate start in the game with South Alabama, Feb. 10, after doing so for the first time against WMU, Jan. 31. The Michigan native posted 10 points in the victory for her second consecutive double-digit performance after posting a personal-best 14 points versus Akron, Feb. 7.
» Smith connected on two shots from beyond the arc, going 2-of-4 from the three point line in the contest versus the Jaguars, Feb. 10. It was the 18th 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).
» Smith's 10 points in the victory over South Alabama, Feb. 10, marked her seventh season double-digit outcome and the 17th of her two-year career.
» After making her Eastern debut against Akron, Feb. 7, Nia Boston (Stockton, Calif./Modesto Christian/Delta College/Mesa CC) earned her first start as an Eagle as she posted a season-high five points and two assists in 16 minutes of play against USA, Feb. 10.
» Olivia Westphal hit three three's in the victory over USA, Feb. 10, for the first time since she went a perfect 3-for-3 from deep against the Bobcats, Jan. 20. It was just the fourth contest in which she has connected on three or more triples and the fifth of her career. Additionally, her 11 points tied her season-high at EMU and fell one short of her career-high 12 set against Brown University, Nov. 11, 2022, as a Duquesne Duke, marking just the fourth appearance with double-figure points.
» Additionally, Westphal snagged four steals in the win over the Jaguars, Feb. 10. The four takeaways marked a career-high for the junior transfer topping the three she recorded at Ohio, Jan. 20.
» The last time the Eagles were victorious was when the team defeated Miami University, 53-48, Jan. 17 at home. After the home win over South Alabama, the Green and White hold a 4-6 record when playing inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center this season.
» Five Eagles recorded double-digit points in the same game for just the second time this season as Capaldi scored 10, Westphal and Myles posted 11 each, Smith earned 12, and Eke led with 13. The last time the team accomplished the feat was when five players entered double-digit points in the overtime victory over IUPUI, Dec. 15. Prior to that, EMU had not seen the feat since Jan. 8, 2022, when EMU topped Central Michigan with five players earning 10+ points.
» The team's 81 total points in the victory over South Alabama, Feb. 10, marked the second time this season the Eagles have scored 80+ points, going 2-0 in such games. The Eagles last scored 80+ points when they topped IUPUI in overtime, 84-74, Dec. 15. Last season, the team did not have an 80+ point game with the closest being 77 in the 77-70 victory over FAMU, Nov. 19, 2022.
» EMU hit seven triples in the win, Feb. 10. It marked the fifth time this season the team has hit seven or more with eight being the team's season high, set in two different occasions this season.
» The Eagles never trailed after taking a 20-7 first quarter lead. The Green and White's largest lead over the Jaguars was 18. The team managed to hold the lead for the longest amount of time of the season, holding it for 38:20.
» The Eagles forced 23 South Alabama turnovers in the win, Feb. 10. It marked the sixth time this season in which EMU has forced 20 or more turnovers in a single game, the most being 25 against IUPUI, Dec. 15.
Historical Notes
» After her four rebounds, Eke sits just 52 boards away from her career milestone 500. Additionally, the junior is just 10 blocks away from her career milestone 150.
» Saturday's contest marked the second part of the MAC-SBC Challenge. The women's team was paired up with South Alabama, based on real-time NET rankings, and marked the first meeting between the two institutions. After the victory, EMU is 1-0 against South Alabama.
Up Next
Eastern will step back into conference play as the team readies to take on NIU Saturday, Feb. 17, at home. The contest will take place inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and will tip off at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
USA
EMU
FG%
.500
.549
3FG%
.636
.412
FT%
.889
.750
RB
18
30
TO
23
23
STL
9
13
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG
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