Women's Basketball Heads to Detroit, Faces Detroit Mercy Sunday

Women's Basketball at Detroit Mercy
Dates/Times	Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m.
Venue	Calihan Hall \| Detroit, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Sidearm Stats
Listen Live	The Varsity Network
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Returning to the road after a 64-54 home-opening win over Robert Morris, Nov. 26, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team looks to win its second consecutive game as the Eagles are set for an in-state matchup with the University of Detroit Mercy Titans Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 p.m., inside Calihan Hall.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ and listen live on 89.1 FM (WEMU) with Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner on the call. Live stats are available on emueagles.com, where a post-game recap will also be posted. Be sure to stay tuned to EMU women's basketball social media @EMUWBB on X, @emuwbb on Instagram, and EMU Women's Basketball on Facebook.

QUICK NOTES
» Eastern is entering the second year of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era. The Eagles have surpassed their 2024-25 win total (two) just six games into the 2025-26 season with three wins. EMU posted a 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record in 2024-25.
» Senior Sisi Eleko was named Preseason All-MAC First Team after earning second-team honors following the 2024-25 regular season that saw her lead the MAC in double-doubles (14) and rebounds per game (10.1) while ranking second with 17.9 points per game.
» Eastern can double its amount of victories from the 2024-25 season with a win over the Titans, while also having the chance to quadruple its non-conference win total (one) and triple its road-win total (one).
» A win over the Titans would give Eastern a winning record (4-3) for the first time since it concluded the 2022-23 regular season with a 15-14 record, March 4, 2023.
» Eastern most recently captured a 64-54 home-opening win over Robert Morris, Nov. 26, improving to 3-3 on the year. Sisi Eleko posted her fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds as EMU used sizable advantages in points off turnovers and second-chance points to secure the win.
» Eastern returns just Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash from the 2024-25 squad as it totals 13 newcomers, six of which came via the transfer portal.
» Eastern has nine international players on the roster, tying for the fourth-most in the nation and most in the MAC. Wagner has the most with 13.

ALL-TIME AGAINST THE TITANS
The Eagles and Titans are meeting for the 33rd time in the series. The Titans hold a slim 17-15 lead in the series after breaking the tie with their 68-38 win in Ypsilanti, Nov. 6, 2023. The win also snapped EMU's four-game winning streak which helped tie a series that saw Detroit Mercy win the first nine games, starting with a 72-63 overtime decision, Jan. 31, 1979. When playing inside Calihan Hall, UDM leads the series, 8-7. The two programs are meeting for the third consecutive season, the longest stretch since they met in 14 straight seasons from 2006-07 until 2019-20. The matchup will take place in Detroit for the second consecutive season for the first time in the series' history as the two have met in Detroit in consecutive matchups just once before, however those two games were three seasons apart (1984-85 season, 1988-89 season).

LAST TIME AGAINST THE TITANS
Sisi Eleko scored a career-high 31 points and added 14 rebounds for her fourth consecutive double-double, but it was not enough as Eastern battled to the end before falling at Detroit Mercy, 72-61, Nov. 26, 2024. The Eagles kept things close throughout much of the game, but a 25-12 second quarter in favor of the Titans proved to be the difference inside Calihan Hall. Along with points, Eleko also set career highs in field goals made (12), field goals attempted (22), and three-point field goals made (four).

ALL-TIME VS. THE HORIZON LEAGUE
Eastern is no stranger to the Horizon League as the game between EMU and UDM will be the 100th against current HL institutions, with the Eagles holding a 56-43 advantage. Eastern most recently faced Robert Morris at home, Nov. 26, a game that resulted in a 64-54 win for EMU. EMU faced two HL teams last season in Purdue Fort Wayne and Detroit Mercy, dropping the game against the Mastodons, 94-49, Nov. 21, and the tilt against the Titans, 72-61, Nov. 26. The games marked the first occurrence in program history of the Eagles facing HL opponents in consecutive outings.

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK AGAINST THE HL
Eastern is facing a Horizon League opponent in three consecutive games for the first time in program history, marking the first time it has faced a Horizon League opponent in consecutive games in back-to-back seasons. The Eagles faced Purdue Fort Wayne last season, Nov. 21, before battling Detroit Mercy, Nov. 26, dropping both games. This season, EMU faced PFW, Nov. 19 (L, 67-52), Robert Morris (W, 64-54), Nov. 26, followed by a game at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30.

MITTEN MEETINGS
The Eagles are 172-170 all-time against teams from the Mitten State. The series with the Titans (32 games) is the third-longest between EMU and an in-state foe, and the longest between a non-conference in-state opponent. Eastern's most storied series with an in-state opponent is Western Michigan, which it has battled 97 times.

LAST TIME OUT
Eastern triumphed in a 64-54 home-opening win against Robert Morris, Nov. 26, who is receiving votes (eight) in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25. Sisi Eleko posted her fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds as EMU used sizable advantages in points off turnovers and second-chance points to secure the win.

» EMU outrebounded the Colonials, 41-39, marking the fourth time the Eagles have out-rebounded their opponent this season. EMU has out-rebounded its foe in four of six games in the 2025-26 campaign.
» The Eagles led the Colonials in a litany of categories, including field goal percentage (36-33%), three-point field goal percentage (22-13%), and free throw percentage (91-70%). Eastern also led in points off turnovers (20-13) and second-chance points (16-7).
» Eastern shot over 80% from the free-throw line (90.9%/20-for-22) for the fifth time this season as it has done so in 5-of-6 contests.
» Eastern's 90.9% clip from the free-throw line marks the fourth-best value in a single game in program history.
» Eastern's most lucrative offensive quarter was the fourth, scoring 24 points with a 9-for-10 showing from the free-throw line. Its best defensive quarter was the first, holding the Colonials to just six points on 15.4% (2-for-13) shooting, including a 1-for-6 clip from three-point range.
» Eastern's largest lead of the game was 13 points (34-21) with 6:13 remaining in the third quarter.
» Eastern's 24 points in the fourth quarter is its largest single-quarter point total of the season. It previously had a pair of 22-point quarters against Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3, and Canisius, Nov. 7.
» The Eagles never trailed against the Colonials, marking the second time EMU hasn't trailed in a game this season. The last time came in the 70-39 win against Canisius, Nov. 7, 2025.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
» Sisi Eleko's 14 rebounds mark a season high and are the second-most by an individual in a single game in the MAC this season.
» Sisi Eleko shot 50% or better from the floor for the third time this season and 12th as an Eagle.
» Peyton Hill had a career-high of 17 points while matching a career best with six rebounds.
» Peyton Hill was 6-for-7 from the free-throw line.
»Brooklyn Thrash notched her third double-digit scoring game of the season with 10 points.

LOOKING FOR CONSECUTIVE WINS
Eastern can win a second consecutive game for the first time in over one season as it last captured back-to-back wins in the 2023-24 season over Saginaw Valley State, Dec. 29, and Northern Illinois, Jan. 3. By Sunday, Nov. 30, it will have been 697 days since EMU won consecutive games.

POSITIVE THROUGH SEVEN?
Eastern Michigan is looking for its first 4-3 start or better through the first seven games of the season since it went 6-1 in its first seven games of the 2022-23 campaign.

DOUBLING UP
Eastern has at least doubled its 2024-25 season total in a multitude of winning categories. EMU has already surpassed its 2024-25 win total (two) just six games into the 2025-26 season with three wins. Two of Eastern's three wins (Canisius, Nov. 7; St. Thomas, Nov. 14) have come on the road, doubling the amount of road victories from last season as it won just one game away from Ypsilanti, a 76-72 win at Northern Illinois, Feb. 22. Eastern has tripled its amount of non-conference wins from last season as it holds three after the win over Robert Morris, Nov. 26 and had just one last season, a 72-60 comeback win over Xavier, Dec. 1, 2024. A win over the Titans would double the Eagles' 2024-25 win total, triple their road-win total, and quadruple their non-conference win sum.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 85.6% (77-for-90) from the charity stripe this season, ranking first in the MAC and second in the country. Although just six games in, EMU's 83.8% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record. The Eagles have shot 83.3% or better from the free-throw line in all but one game this season, as their season-best 90.9% (20-for-22) rate vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 26, ranks fourth in program history in single-game standings. Eastern has four student-athletes shooting at least 80% from the free-throw line this season in Peyton Hill (93.3%), Sisi Eleko (90.5%), Fernanda Ovalle (87.5%), and Brooklyn Thrash (82.4%). By value, Hill's 93.3% clip ranks second in the MAC, 11th nationally, and is the second-best mark of any freshman in the nation. Eleko's 86.7% rate stands sixth in the conference.

SEASON-BEST AND HISTORIC FT PCT
Eastern tied a season-best shooting 90.9% (20-for-22) from the free-throw line in the win over Robert Morris, Nov. 26. The figure ranks fourth on EMU single-season leaderboards and fourth in a single game in the MAC this season by value. Eastern previously shot 90.9% (10-for-11) from the charity stripe in a 77-39 road win at Canisius, Nov. 7.

LOCKDOWN D
Eastern has played well on defense to start the season. It ranks fourth in the MAC, allowing an average of 62.2 points per game as it is limiting foes to a 23.3% rate from three-point range and 39.9% clip from the field, numbers that rank second and sixth in the conference, respectively, while the 23.3% opponent three-point field goal percentage slots 20th nationally.

Eastern has held two opponents (Canisius, 39; St. Thomas, 41) to 41 points or less this season for the first time since 2019-20, when it held Olivet to 38 points in a 95-38 victory, Nov. 8, before besting Purdue Fort Wayne, 64-40, Dec. 10. The Eagles most recently held Robert Morris to 11.8% (2-for-17) from beyond the arc, Nov. 26.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 3-0 this season when holding opponents below a 44.9% clip from the field, as it has held its foes to 33.3% shooting or worse in its three victories. In losses, opponents are shooting at least 46.9%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 16.7% or worse in EMU wins and 31.3% or better in EMU losses. Eastern is also 3-2 when out rebounding its foe as it has done so in 5-of-6 games this season while holding a clean 3-0 mark when leading at halftime.

SISI STILL GOT IT
Sisi Eleko has picked up where she left off from the 2024-25 season. Named Preseason First Team All-MAC, Eleko has scored at least 10 in all six games this season as she is one of three MAC players to rank inside the top five in points per game, rebounds per game OR assists per game. Eleko currently averages 17.2 points (second in the MAC), 10.7 rebounds per game (second), shoots 90.5% from the free-throw line (sixth), and averages 32.8 minutes per game (ninth). Additionally, Eleko is one of two MAC players currently averaging a double-double. The other is Bree Salenbien of Ball State who currently averages 16.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 18 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997) as she recently passed Olivia Fouty (2010-14) and Sarah VanMetre (2003-07) to become the sole owner of the No. 2 spot. She needs 14 more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently had a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds in a 64-54 win against Robert Morris, Nov. 26.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 18 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 34 games as it took all-time program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 38 games to total 18 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Moreover, Eleko has recorded a double-double in 52.9% (18-of-34) of her games as an Eagle, while Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO IN THE NATIONAL STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has four double-doubles on the season, a figure that ranks second in the MAC and third nationally by value. Her 10.7 rebounds per game rank second in the conference and 19th nationally while she slots first in the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (9.2), checking in at No. 3 in America. Eleko also ranks 38th in the country with a 90.5% clip from the free-throw line, slotting sixth in the MAC.

ELEKO PRESEASON ALL-MAC FIRST TEAM
Senior Sisi Eleko was named Preseason All-MAC First Team, Oct. 21. The 2024-25 All-MAC Second Team selection led the MAC with 14 double-doubles last season and was the only player to average one in the conference. She also paced the conference with 10.1 rebounds per game, becoming the only MAC player to average double-digit boards, and slotted second with 17.9 points per game.

HISTORIC OPPONENT SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
Eastern held Canisius to 16.7% shooting in a 70-39 win, Nov. 7, its lowest opponent field goal percentage since at least the 2002 season. It marks the first time Eastern has held an opponent under 19% shooting since it held NAIA Rochester to an 18.2% clip in a 108-24 win, Dec. 9, 2009.

STRONG START: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill is the first EMU freshman to record double-digit points in her first four NCAA games, Nov. 3-14, since at least 2004-05 and the first to do so in five of her first six since at least 2008-09. She's the first freshman to score 10+ in any four consecutive games since Aalyiah Stanley did so in the 2019-20 season, scoring double-digits in four of the last five games of the season, Jan. 11-22. Through six games, Hill is averaging 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 93.3% from the free-throw line. Her 12.5 points per game are the most from a MAC freshman this season and her 93.3% free-throw percentage is the best from a MAC rookie.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill has missed just two free throws this season as she is 28-of-30 (93.3%) from the line, the second-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the second-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 93.3% clip ranks 11th in the nation by value and will break the program's single-season record if it is maintained. The single-season record is currently held by Kelly Helbler, who shot 91.1% (82-of-90) in the 1989-90 season. The 93.3% rate would tie for third-best in MAC single-season history per the MAC record book, should it hold.

BIG FRESHMAN DEBUT: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill had a strong performance in her first collegiate game, scoring 15 points while shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line with four assists and three rebounds against Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3. Hill's 15 points were the most from an EMU freshman in their NCAA debut since Courtnie Lewis scored 18 in her NCAA debut against Florida A&M, Nov. 10, 2017.

HILL CAREER HIGHS VS ROBERT MORRIS
Freshman Peyton Hill posted two career highs against Robert Morris, Nov. 26. She scored 17 points and matched a career best with six rebounds for the second consecutive game, as she originally grabbed six boards at Purdue Fort Wayne, Nov. 19.

BELIEVE'S BIG DEBUT
Freshman Believe Tshibangu erupted for 14 points and nine rebounds off 7-for-7 shooting in just 14 minutes in the 70-39 win over Canisius, Nov. 7. Her nine rebounds in an NCAA debut are the most from an Eagle in their first NCAA game since Tori Easley grabbed 10 in her collegiate debut against Kent State – Tuscarawas, Nov. 14, 2014. Tshibangu is the first Eagle to post a 14-point/nine-rebound stat line in an NCAA debut since at least the 2011-12 season. Additionally, Tshibangu's nine rebounds are the fourth-most in a single game from a MAC freshman this season.

AINHOA'S ASSISTS
Senior Ainhoa Cea has distributed the ball effectively in her first six games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in five of her first six games, with her highest total being nine at St. Thomas, Nov. 14. Cea's nine assists against the Tommies are the fourth-most in a single game in the MAC. Cea's 5.7 assists per game rank second in the conference and 27th nationally while her 34 total dimes slot third in the MAC and 55th in the country. The senior's 5.7 assists per game average is the highest from an Eagle since Cassie Schrock averaged 5.9 in the 2010-11 season. Schrock dished 220 assists that season, setting an EMU program record.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and third in America averaging 37.2 minutes per game. Cea's 37.2 minutes per game are a career high and stand roughly 8.4 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently tied a career best, playing the full 40 minutes for the second time this season against Purdue Fort Wayne, Nov. 19, after playing wire-to-wire in the season opener at Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Ainhoa Cea is 12 points away from 500 while needing 106 more assists and rebounds to reach 500. Fernanda Ovalle needs 219 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 161 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 153 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She is 154 points from 1,500 and needs 12 double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs 14 total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and 15 to be the sole record owner.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 138 consecutive games, the third-longest stretch since the start of the 1999-00 season. The longest streak in that period is 281 games, which started with seven makes at Northern Illinois, Jan. 31, 2002, and ended with no makes in the MAC Tournament, March 11, 2011, against Toledo. The second-longest lasted 157 games and started Dec. 9, 2014, and ended Nov. 29, 2020 against visiting UIC, when no makes halted the streak.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern returns home for a game against NAIA Defiance College Friday, Dec. 5, 5 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets at EMUEagles.com/tickets and stream the game live on ESPN+.

FOLLOW US
Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUWBB and @EMUAthletics on X for all the latest EMU women's basketball updates. Be sure to also follow the Eagles on Instagram @emuwbb and @emuathletics

Women's Basketball Heads to Detroit, Faces Detroit Mercy Sunday

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Believe Tshibangu

Eastern Michigan Athletics