Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
6-20,2-13MAC
Kent State
17-8,11-3MAC
Eastern Michigan Falls to Kent State at Home
2/28/2024 9:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Myles led with 16 Points
Highlight Video | Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team saw a 23-point showing from the bench, but fell, 76-64, to the Kent State University Golden Flashes at home Wednesday, Feb. 28.
The Eagles (6-20, 2-13 Mid-American Conference) had three players score in double figures, led by Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette), who had 16 points and eight rebounds. Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial) tacked on 13 points and two steals and Treasure Thompson (Joliet, Ill./Bolingbrook/LSU) helped out with 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals off the bench.
Led by Thompson's five offensive rebounds, EMU did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 12 second chance points.
Eastern Michigan forced 16 Kent State turnovers. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 23 points on the other end of the floor. ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla./Putnam City West) led the way individually with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind, 18-4, the Green and White went on a 6-0 run with 3:29 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Nia Boston (Stockton, Calif./Modesto Christian/Delta College/Mesa CC), to narrow its deficit to 18-10. Kent State answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Eagles down 21-12 entering the second quarter.
Eastern Michigan kept the Golden Flashes from increasing their lead before going on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Thompson, to narrow its deficit to 25-22. The Eagles continued to chip away, reducing the Kent State lead to 30-28 heading into the break.
The Golden Flashes continued to increase their lead after halftime, building a 54-39 advantage before Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run to trim its deficit to 54-44 with 2:09 to go in the third. Kent State countered and stretched its lead to 61-46 heading into the fourth.
Eastern Michigan came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Boston's jumper, to shrink the deficit to 61-57 with 6:23 to go in the contest. Kent State responded and outscored the Eagles the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 76-64. The Green and White took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 18 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU) recorded multiple blocks in a single game for the 14th time this season after posting two against the Golden Flashes, Feb. 28. The last time she produced more than a single block in a game was when she posted two against Western Michigan, Feb. 21. Last season, the junior recorded the feat in 17 contests.
» Nelson snagged three steals in the loss, marking the fourth time this season accomplishing the feat and the ninth of her career. The junior ranks second on the team in steals with 29 total snags on the season.
» Additionally, Nelson continued to be a threat on defense producing a single block. The Oklahoma native has produced 12 blocks in the 2023-24 campaign and 24 in her career. The last time she blocked an opponent shot was when she earned one against WMU, Feb. 21.
» Austin made a single three in the setback to Kent State, going 1-of-4 from beyond the yard marking the junior's 15th season game with a single make from three-point land, topping the 14 games she secured the feat in during her rookie season. As a sophomore, Austin connected on a three-pointer in 22 total contests.
» EMU won the blocking-battle against the Golden Flashes, 4-3. It was the 14th time this season the Eagles have out-blocked their opponent. Last season, the team recorded more blocks than its foe in 19 contests.
Historical Notes
» After her six rebounds against Kent State, Feb. 28, Eke sits just 21 boards away from her career milestone 500. Additionally, the junior is just three blocks away from her career milestone 150.
Up Next
The Eagles travel to Muncie, Ind. next to face the Ball State University Cardinals Saturday, March 2, at 1 p.m. in Worthen Arena.
