Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
7-22,3-15MAC
Bowling Green
16-13,10-8MAC
EMU Victorious in Season Finale over BGSU
3/9/2024 3:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Eagles top Falcons 59-54 on Senior Day
Highlight Video | Photo Gallery | Ke'sha Blanton Postgame Interview
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team was victorious in its final season game of the 2023-24 campaign, topping the Bowling Green State University Falcons, 59-54, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, March 9. The team honored five program seniors prior to the start of the game.
The Eagles (7-22, 3-15) had three players score in double figures, led by Olivia Westphal (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park/Duquesne), who had a career high 16 points and two steals. Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich./Wayne Memorial) tacked on 15 points and Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills/Illinois/Marquette) chipped in as well with her double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Green and White out-rebounded Bowling Green 40-37 in Saturday's game, led by both Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain/IES Ortega y Gasset/LIU) and Myles' 11 boards each. The Eagles also collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 13 second chance points.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 17-7 advantage, the Green and White went on a 9-0 run with 2:35 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Myles, to increase its lead to 26-7. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 26-9 advantage. Eastern Michigan relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 26 points.
The Eagles maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 32-21 edge. Eastern Michigan dominated in the paint, scoring six of its six second-quarter points close to the basket.
EMU continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Dara Capaldi (East Detroit, Mich./La Lumiere (Ind.)), to expand its lead further to 45-33 with 1:23 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Falcons had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Eagles still entered the fourth quarter with a 45-38 edge. Eastern Michigan played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 13 points in the paint.
The Eagles then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. EMU got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring three fast break points.
Game Notes
» The Eagles held a 32-21 halftime lead over the Falcons in the victory, March 9. It marked the fifth time this season EMU has led its opponent after the first two quarters of play, going 4-1. Last season, the team led its opponent after 30 minutes of play in 14 contests, going 11-3 in said games.
» Olivia Westphal (Bethel Park, PA./Bethel Park/Duquesne) earned her second career start in the win, earning career-highs in points (16), field goals made (5), and minutes (40). Her team-leading 16 points topped her previous high of 11, which she set on two different occasions with the last time coming in the victory over the University of South Alabama, Feb. 10. Additionally, it marked the first time the junior has played all 40 minutes of a game as she was the sole Eagle to do so in the win, adding 10+ active minutes to top her previous career-high 28 minutes also set against South Alabama.
» Westphal was hot from the long range hitting three threes in the victory over BGSU, March 9, for the first time since she went a perfect 3-for-3 from deep against the South Alabama, Feb. 10. It was just the fifth contest in which she has connected on three or more triples and the sixth of her career.
» Myles recorded her 18th career double-double and the eighth in an Eastern jersey with her 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win against Bowling Green, March 9. The last time she recorded a double-double was against Western Michigan University, Feb. 21 when she posted 12 points and 10 rebounds. She now has ten double digit rebounds at Eastern and 27 in her career.
» Myles recorded five steals against the Falcons, tying her season high previously set against Saginaw Valley State University, Dec. 29 and marking the seventh career game with five-plus steals. Additionally, the graduate student played in 36 minutes of her final career game, marking just the third time this season she has played 35+ minutes.
» Austin scored 15 points in the win against Bowling Green, securing her ninth season double-digit outing and the 34th of her career. Additionally, it marked the 18th time the junior has posted 15 points or more in her career.
» Austin made a single three in the victory over the Falcons, March 9, going 1-of-4 from beyond the arc marking the junior's 18th 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.
» The Eagles out-shot the Falcons 39.3% to the opposing 37.3% from the field marking just the seventh time this season. EMU has found success in such games going 6-1 when shooting better than its opponent.
Historical Notes
» With her 11 rebounds against Bowling Green, March 9, Eke surpassed her career milestone of 500 and now has a career total of 506.
» The Eagles honored five program seniors prior to the game in Alex Lara (student manager), Kate Sherwood (Graduate assistant), graduate student Kennedi Myles, senior Ashley Hassett and senior ZaNiya Nelson.
Up Next
The Eagles finished their 2023-24 season with a 7-22 overall record and a 3-15 skid in conference play. The Mid-American Conference tournament will be held inside the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, March 14-16. Eliminated from the tournament are EMU, the University of Akron, Central Michigan University, and Miami University.
2024 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament
March 13, 15-16 | Cleveland, Ohio | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 - Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 1 Toledo vs. No. 8 Western Michigan, 11 a.m. (ESPN+)
Game 2: No. 4 Buffalo vs. No. 5 Bowling Green, Time TBA* (ESPN+)
Game 3: No. 2 Ball State vs. No. 7 Ohio, Time TBA* (ESPN+)
Game 4: No. 3 Kent State vs. No. 6 Northern Illinois, Time TBA* (ESPN+)
Friday, March 15th, 2024 - Semifinals
Game 5: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 10 a.m. (ESPN+)
Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, Time TBA* (ESPN+)
Saturday, March 16th, 2024 – MAC Championship Game
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner, 11 a.m. (CBS Sports Network)
*30 minutes following the completion of the first game of the session.
