Women's Basketball Hosts Bowling Green in MAC Home Opener Tuesday

Women's Basketball vs Bowling Green
Dates/Times	Tuesday, Dec. 30 \| 5 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Tickets	Purchase Here
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Listen Live	89.1 FM (WEMU)/The Varsity Network
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team welcomes Bowling Green State University to the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the Eagles are set to open the home portion of the Mid-American Conference slate Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 5 p.m. The game is the first of an EMU doubleheader with the men facing league newcomer University of Massachusetts following the women's contest.

Fans can purchase tickets on EMUEagles.com, stream the game live on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley, Reggie Butler, and Elena Davis on the call, and listen on WEMU (89.1 FM), and The Varsity Network with Tom Helmer calling the action courtside. Live stats are available on EMUEagles.com, where a post-game recap will also be posted. Be sure to stay posted to EMU women's basketball social media @EMUWBB on X, @emuwbb on Instagram, and EMU Women's Basketball on Facebook.

QUICK NOTES
» Eastern is in the second year of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era. The Eagles surpassed their 2024-25 win total (two) just six games into the 2025-26 season, earning their third win over Robert Morris, 64-54, Nov. 26. EMU posted a 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record in 2024-25.
» Eastern has tripled its number of wins from the 2024-25 season (two) as it currently totals six.
» Eastern holds a 16-28 record in the first MAC home game of the season and is playing its 45th MAC home opener.
» Senior Sisi Eleko was named MAC Player of the Week, Dec. 16, for the second time this season as she averaged 19 points and 14.5 rebounds per game.
» 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.
» Senior Sisi Eleko is the only MAC player averaging a double-double this season as she is one of 21 players to do so nationally this season.
» Eastern most recently dropped a back-and-forth game at reigning MAC Tournament Champion, Ball State, 78-74, Dec. 20. EMU was paced by a pair of 20+ point outings from Fernanda Ovalle (22 points) and Sisi Eleko (20 points).
» 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 VS. BGSU
The Eagles trail, 21-58, in the all-time series and 14-22 when the game is played in Ypsilanti. Bowling Green has taken eight of the last 10 meetings as Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is in search of her first career win over the Falcons. Eastern is looking to beat BGSU for the first time since the 2023-24 season, a 59-54 senior-night victory, March 9, 2024. The game saw Kennedi Myles post a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Along with Myles, Olivia Westphal (16) and Lachelle Austin (15) scored in double figures while Tyra Eke pulled down 11 rebounds.

LAST SEASON VS. BGSU
Eastern dropped both games against Bowling Green last season, losing the first on the road, 90-76, Jan. 4, before dropping the second game, 87-67, in the 2024-25 season finale in Ypsilanti, March 8.

Eastern had four players score in double-digit in the first game, with Sisi Eleko leading with 26 points. Nine players scored in double figures. The second game saw Eleko score 19 points along with Olivia Smith's 18, and Brooklyn Thrash's 14. EMU honored five seniors in a pre-game senior ceremony.

OPENING THE HOME PORTION OF MAC PLAY
Eastern holds a 16-28 record in the first MAC home game of the season and is playing its 45th MAC home opener. Eastern is 4-6 in its last 10 MAC home openers.

LAST TIME WINNING MAC HOME OPENER
Eastern is aiming to win its first conference home opener since the 2022-23 season, when it topped Miami, 68-67, behind a pair of double-doubles from Lachelle Austin (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Ce'Nara Skanes (14 points, 12 rebounds).

LAST SEASON'S MAC HOME OPENER
Last season, Eastern began the home portion of the MAC slate against Western Michigan on New Year'sDay, Jan. 1, 2025. Eastern fell, 65-51, as Sisi Eleko recorded a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Elena Cabello tied her career high with eight points and added a career-best 10 rebounds. The game was EMU's second on New Year's Day as it is 1-1 in games played on the first day of the year and 0-1 when playing a MAC contest. The previous game was a 71-46 win over Columbia, Jan. 1, 2005.

OPENING HOME MAC SLATE AGAINST BGSU
Eastern is opening the home portion of MAC play against Bowling Green for the seventh time in program history and for the first time since topping the Falcons, 78-61, on Jan. 4, 2020. Overall, EMU is 2-4 when starting the MAC home slate against BGSU.

NUSSEIBEH IN CONFERENCE HOME OPENERS
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is 2-2 in conference home-opening games as a collegiate head coach as she is looking for her first MAC home-opening win as the EMU head coach. Nusseibeh most recently coached a team to a home league-opening win as the head coach at Canisius College, besting Mount St. Mary's, 62-49, Jan. 4, 2024, a day that saw Sisi Eleko post a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

BGSU TIES
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh was a part of the Bowling Green coaching staff for three seasons (2013-16) and helped lead the Falcons to a 2013-14 Mid-American Conference regular-season crown after the team went 30-5 overall and 17-1 in league play. She recruited and coached five All-MAC honorees, including an All-America selection, and played a key role in helping Bowling Green earn three-consecutive WBCA Top-25 Team Academic Awards. Player-wise, Eastern freshman Believe Tshibangu is a graduate of Royal Crown Academy in Ontario, Canada, where BGSU's Taya Ellis and Kaia Woods also graduated. Tshibangu won three junior provincial division championships (OSBA D-League) and helped Team Ontario win the 2024 Canada Basketball U17 National Championship in her time at Royal Crown Academy.

DOUBLE HEADER IN YPSI
The Eagles' game against the Falcons is just the first of the day inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the EMU men's team faces UMass shortly after the conclusion of the women's contest. The day marks the second of three doubleheaders for the EMU basketball programs, as they will both host games, Jan. 24, with the women taking on Northern Illinois, 1 p.m., and the men facing Kent State shortly after the final buzzer of the women's game. The Eastern women previously defeated Defiance College, 96-44, Dec. 5, before the EMU men topped NAIA Cleary, 86-48.

LAST TIME OUT
Eastern took the reigning MAC Tournament Champion, Ball State, to the wire, dropping a highly-contested 78-74 MAC opener inside Worthen Arena Saturday, Dec. 20.

Eastern trailed by just one, 75-74, with 1:54 to go and held multiple leads throughout the game as it was paced by a pair of 20+ point outings from Fernanda Ovalle (22 points) and Sisi Eleko (20 points). Ovalle tied a career best with five assists while grabbing four rebounds. Eleko scored her 20 points off 75% shooting (9-for-12) and secured four rebounds.

Peyton Hill scored 15 points to go with two rebounds and four assists. Ainhoa Cea contributed with eight points, five assists, and three rebounds.

Shots fell at a high rate for both squads as each team shot at least 50.0% from the field and eclipsed 46.0% from three-point range.

OVALLE & ELEKO 20+ POINTS
Eastern had two players (Fernanda Ovalle [22], Sisi Eleko [20]) score 20+ points for the first time since Eleko and Olivia Westphal had 28 and 20 points, respectively, in the first game of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh tenure, a 75-71 loss to Texas State in the MAC-SBC Challenge, Nov. 4, 2024. The performances from Ovalle and Eleko are the first occurrence of multiple 20-point outings in a conference game since Corrione Caldwell and Courtnie Lewis each had 20 points at Western Michigan, Jan. 23, 2019.

THREE PLAYERS WITH 15+ POINTS
Fernanda Ovalle (22 points), Sisi Eleko (20), and Peyton Hill (15) each had 15+ points at Ball State, Dec. 20, marking the first time Eastern had three players score 15+ points since Natalia Pineda (19), Zaniya Nelson (16), and Olivia Smith (15) did so against North Dakota, Dec. 4, 2022.

OVALLE CAREER HIGHS VS. BSU
Junior Fernanda Ovalle recorded career highs with 22 points, five assists, and 36 minutes at Ball State, Dec.20. The Eagle newcomer shot 50.0% from the field (9-of-18) and sank a trio of three pointers.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS AT BSU
» Eastern forced 24 turnovers, its second-most under Nusseibeh and the most when facing a MAC school.
» Eastern's biggest lead was seven with 4:20 remaining in the third quarter as it led for 7:54.
» The game saw 14 lead changes as Eastern made the most of its forced turnovers, turning that into 20 points while Ball State scored 11 points off turnovers.
» Eastern lost when recording fewer turnovers than its opponent (24-17) for the first time this season.
» Eastern's 25 points in the second quarter is its highest second-quarter total this season and the third-most points in any quarter in 2025-26.
» The Eagles led by seven with 4:20 to go in the third quarter and lost, 78-74. It marked EMU's largest lead given up in a loss this season.

HOT SHOOTING AT BSU
» Eastern's 46.2% (12-for-26) three-point percentage was its best of the season and second-best in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present) as the Eagles shot 50.0% (11-for-22) from three against Central Michigan last season, Jan. 18, 2025.
» EMU's 50.0% (29-for-58) field-goal percentage is its second-best mark of the year and ties for the second-best mark of the Nusseibeh era. The best came in the 74-72 win over Duquesne, Dec. 9, when Eastern shot 54.2% (26-for-48) from the floor.
» Eastern made a season-high 12 three-point field goals, ranking second in the MAC by value this season. EMU had five players make multiple three-point baskets.

CONSISTENT STARTING FIVE
Eastern has started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, and Peyton Hill all 11 games this season. EMU is one of 14 known schools to start the same five every game this season, and the only MAC school to do so. Conversely, EMU sent out seven different starting fives last season.

74+ POINTS IN THREE-OF-FOUR GAMES
Eastern has scored 74+ points in three of its last four games, scoring 96 points against Defiance, Dec. 5, and 74 points versus Duquesne, Dec. 9, and at Ball State, Dec. 20. The occurrence is EMU's first time with 74+ points in three-of-four games since the 2021-22 season. That year, it opened with 85 points against Concordia, Nov. 1, before scoring 76 points in a win over Detroit Mercy, Nov. 13, prior to setting the program record with 133 points against Grace Christian, Nov. 18.

ELEKO MAC SINGLE-GAME HIGH 18 REBOUNDS
Sisi Eleko grabbed 18 rebounds at Indiana, the most in the MAC by an individual in a single game this season, while slotting seventh-most by value in the nation, and fifth-most in program history. The total was one shy of her career high of 19 set as a Canisius Golden Griffin against MAC opponent Buffalo, on Nov. 6, 2023. The game against the Hoosiers was Eleko's first with 15+ rebounds this season and 10th in her NCAA career.

ELEKO MAC POTW X2
Sisi Eleko recently collected her second MAC Player of the Week award of the season, Dec. 16. The senior averaged 19.0 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.7% from the field with a pair of double-doubles. She was the only MAC player to record two double-doubles on the week. She started her week with 23 points, the most in the conference last week, while grabbing 11 rebounds in a 74-72 win against Duquesne, Dec. 9, a contest where she hit the game-winning layup. Eleko then posted 15 points with a game-high 18 rebounds, the most in the MAC and sixth-most in the nation this season, in a hard-fought 74-67 loss on the road at Indiana, Dec. 14.

Eleko is one of three MAC players to earn the award twice this season. She is also the first EMU student-athlete to earn the award twice in the same season since Danielle Minnot was named MAC West Player of the Week in consecutive weeks, in the 2017-18 campaign, Jan. 23 and Jan. 30.

STRONG START
Eastern Michigan is looking for its first 7-5 start or better through the first 12 games of the season since it went 9-3 in its first 12 games of the 2022-23 campaign. That season ended with a first-round loss in the MAC tournament to Bowling Green, 70-36, March 8.

BACKS AGAINST THE WALL
Eastern Michigan came back to win from a fourth-quarter deficit against Duquesne, Dec. 9. Entering the fourth quarter down one, 59-58, the Dukes expanded their lead to as much as four, 62-58, before EMU came back to win, 74-72. This is the second fourth-quarter comeback in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and the first since Eastern came back from a 10-point hole to win against NIU, 76-72, on Feb. 22, 2025.

HOT AT HOME
After the 74-72 win over Duquesne, Dec. 9, Eastern is 3-0 at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season. Eastern most notably topped Robert Morris in its home opener, Nov. 26, who is receiving votes in the College Insider Mid Major poll, and is predicted to finish second in the Horizon League. EMU is looking for a 4-0 home start for the first time since 2022-23.

NUSSEIBEH STRONG START
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is seeking the second 7-5 start or better through 12 games in her head coaching tenure. She last led a team to a 7-5 record or better through 12 games at Canisius in 2023-24, leading the Golden Griffins to an 8-4 mark through 12 contests. That season was highlighted by a first-round MAAC Tournament win over Manhattan, 58-55, March 14, and a 17-14 overall record, marking the Golden Griffins' most wins since the 2008-09 season.

MULTIPLYING WINS
Eastern has at least tripled its 2024-25 season total across multiple winning categories. EMU surpassed its 2024-25 win total (two) just six games into the 2025-26 season, with three wins, as they currently hold six, triple the amount of wins it had in 2024-25. Three of Eastern's six wins (Canisius, Nov. 7; St. Thomas, Nov. 14; Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30) have come on the road, tripling the amount of road victories from last season as it won just one game away from Ypsilanti, a 76-72 comeback win at Northern Illinois, Feb. 22. Eastern has sextupled (multiplied by six) its amount of non-conference wins from last season as it holds six after the win over Duquesne, Dec. 9, and had just one last season, a 72-60 comeback win over Xavier, Dec. 1, 2024. Eastern also tripled its home win total from last season (one) as it won its third home game of the season against Duquesne, Dec. 9. A win against the Falcons would quadruple the Eagles' 2024-25 home-win total (one) and match their conference win sum (one).

MATCHING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL?
A win against the Falcons would match the Eagles' 2024-25 conference win total in the second conference game of the season. Eastern won just one MAC game last season, a 76-72 comeback win at Northern Illinois, Feb. 22.

FIRST HOME MAC WIN UNDER NUSSEIBEH?
A win against the Falcons would mark the first home Mid-American Conference victory under Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh.

BOUNCE BACK
Eastern went 10 games without consecutive losses to start the season, the longest such streak since the 2015-16 Eagles went the first 19 games without consecutive losses. The stretch is the second-longest to start a season for Nusseibeh, as her Canisius Golden Griffins went the first 19 games of the 2023-24 season without back-to-back losses.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 77.8% (137-for-176) from the free-throw line this season, ranking second in the MAC, and 21st in the country. Although just 11 games in, EMU's 77.8% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 5.2% better than the current single-season record, a 72.6% clip in the 1994-95 season. The Eagles have shot 81.0% or better from the free-throw line in six of 11 games 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. Among qualified players, Eastern has three student-athletes shooting at least 80% from the free-throw line this season in Peyton Hill (83.6%), Fernanda Ovalle (81.0%), and Brooklyn Thrash (80.0%). All marks stand as career highs by a significant margin. Out of qualified student-athletes Hill's 83.6% rate ranks first in the MAC by a freshman and is the ninth-best mark of any freshman in the nation. Eastern most recently shot 50.0% (4-for-8) against Ball State, Dec. 20.

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 fifth 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 third in the MAC, allowing an average of 63.3 points per games while holding opponents to a 29.3% rate from three-point range, placing fifth in the MAC. The Eagles most recently allowed their best opponent three-point shooting percentage of the season- as Ball State shot 55.0% (11-for-22) from beyond the arc, Dec. 20. The Eagles have held opponents under 30% from three five times this season, producing a 5-0 record.

Eastern has held three opponents (Canisius, 39; St. Thomas, 41; Defiance, 44) to 44 points or less this season for the first time since 2018-19, when it held Illinois State to 41 points in a 50-41 win, Nov. 17, UIC to 38 points in a 52-38 victory, Nov. 27, and Northwood to 39 points in a 53-39 win, Dec. 30.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 6-1 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in its six victories. In losses, opponents are shooting at least 44.8%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 26.3% or worse in five of EMU's six wins and 31.3% or better in all EMU losses. Eastern is also 5-3 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 8-of-11 games this season while holding a clean 6-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
Eastern ranks seventh in the MAC with a +3.5 rebounding margin as opponents average 33.0 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 36.5 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in eight of the last 10 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (10.5 rebounds per game, second in the MAC), Ainhoa Cea also carries a sizeable workload when it comes to rebounding, averaging 4.5 per game while standing 5-foot-6.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage early in the season. The Eagles are 3- 0 at home while outscoring opponents by 21.3 points per game. EMU averages 78.0 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 56.7. The defense has forced 21.7 opponent turnovers per game at home while committing only 16.3. The rebounding margin sits at plus 6.3, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 12.0 rebounds per home contest and scores 21.7 points per game on 62.5 percent shooting.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles have outscored opponents 70 to 26 in first quarters and 115 to 60 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 34.3 percent overall in home games and 25.5 percent from three. EMU pressure defense has led to 10.3 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions and transition scoring chances.

ROAD GAMES TEST DEPTH AND POISE
Away from Ypsilanti, EMU owns three wins, while facing higher scoring environments. Road games average nearly nine more possessions per team, reflected in tighter margins. The Eagles score 63.8 points per road game and allow 65.8. Rebounding remains a strength with a +2.5 margin, while assists average 12.8 per game, showing ball movement even under pressure.

ROAD RESILIENCE IN WINS
In road victories, EMU has leaned on defense and discipline. Opponents score only 45.0 points per game in those three wins, including a 70-39 decision at Canisius and a 52-41 win at St. Thomas. EMU has forced 22.0 turnovers per game in road wins while holding opponents to 33.0 percent shooting. Sisi Eleko averages 17.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in wins overall, setting the tone inside.

WINNING FORMULA SHOWS BALANCE
Across all six victories, EMU posts a +19.2 scoring margin and holds opponents under 51 points per game. The Eagles shoot 41.8 percent from the floor while limiting opponents to 33.0. Rebounding stands out at plus 9.0 per game. EMU also records nearly twice as many assists as opponents, 13.8 to 6.8, highlighting unselfish offense and effective execution.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 119 to 96 in fourth quarters. Free-throw efficiency is a factor: EMU shoots 80.6 percent at the line in wins and averages 14.5 made free throws per game. Peyton Hill averages 14.0 points per game in wins, shoots 45.0 percent from the field, and adds steady perimeter defense.

SISI STILL GOT IT
Sisi Eleko has picked up where she left off from the 2024-25 season, as she is the only MAC player currently averaging a double-double. Named Preseason First Team All-MAC, Eleko has scored at least 10 points in all 11 games this season, including 20+ in four, as she is the only MAC player to rank inside the top two in points per game, rebounds per game OR assists per game. Eleko currently averages 17.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, ranking first and second in the MAC, respectively, while averaging 33.0 minutes per game (sixth in the MAC), and shooting 50.3% from the field (11th in the conference).

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has seven double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fourth nationally by value. The senior also paces the MAC in points per game, posting 17.7 per contest, slightly shy of her career-best rate from last season (17.9). Her 10.5 rebounds per game rank second in the MAC and 16th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (8.5), checking in at No. 6 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in eight categories.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 21 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs 10 more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds against Indiana, Dec. 14.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 21 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 38 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 41 games to total 21 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 53.8% (21-of-39) of her games at EMU. Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO ELITE COMPANY
Sisi Eleko is the only MAC player averaging a double-double this season as she is one of 21 players doing so nationally. Leading the MAC in points (17.7) and ranking second in rebounds (10.5) per game, Eleko is one of just 10 players nationally to rank top two in their respective conference in both points and rebounds per game.

ELEKO CLOSING IN ON 1,500 POINTS
Senior Sisi Eleko is closing in on 1,500 career points. She currently totals 1,438, requiring 62 to reach the mark. Factoring in Eleko's 17.7 points per game average this season, she is expected to eclipse 1,500 points at Miami, Jan. 14. Eleko would be the seventh EMU player to reach the milestone and first since Cha Sweeny did so in the 2015-16 season. Eleko would be one of 38 active Division I players to reach the milestone.

ELEKO PRESEASON ALL-MAC FIRST TEAM
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. She was the only player to average one in the MAC. She paced the MAC with 10.1 rebounds per game, becoming the only MAC player to average double-digit boards, and ranked second with 17.9 points per game.

STRONG START: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill is the first EMU freshman to record double-digit points in nine of her first 11 NCAA games since EMU Women's Basketball Ring of Honor Recipient Ryan Coleman did so in 2002-03. She's the first freshman to score 10+ in any four consecutive games and in nine of any 10-game stretch since Cha Sweeny ended her freshman season with 22 consecutive 10+ point outings. Through 11 games, Hill is averaging 12.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 83.6% from the free-throw line, 41.7% from the field, and 35.7% from three. Her 12.9 points per game are the most from a MAC freshman this season and her 83.6% free-throw percentage is the best from a MAC rookie. Additionally, she is shooting 35.7% from three, the fourth-best mark among MAC freshman.

FRESHMAN 10+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (nine) since Olivia Smith recorded 10 in the 2022-23 season on her way to MAC Freshman of the Year honors.

FRESHMAN POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill posted a career-high 21 points off a red-hot 7-for-10 shooting clip in the win at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30. Her 21 points tie for the most from a MAC freshman in a single game this season and the most from an EMU freshman since Aaliyah Stanley scored 24 points in a 68-59 win at UIC, Dec. 18, 2019. The previous game, she set career highs against Robert Morris, Nov. 26, scoring 17 points and matching a career best with six rebounds for the second consecutive game, after she initially grabbed six boards at Purdue Fort Wayne, Nov. 19.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 83.6% from the line, the seventh-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the ninth-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 83.6% clip would rank fifth in the program's single-season records if it is maintained and is the third-best mark from an EMU freshman. The record is currently held by Kelly Helbler, who shot 91.1% (82-of-90) in the 1989-90 season.

FERNANDA FINDING HER FOOTING
Fernanda Ovalle has put together a string of strong performances, scoring 10+ in four of her last five games with a pair of five-assist outings, including a career-best 22 points and five assists at Ball State, Dec. 20. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points per game average and field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle Last Five Games
14.6 PTS, 45.8 FG%, 3.2 REB, 2.4 AST, 27.7 MIN

Ovalle Remainder of Season
7.7 PTS, 34.0 FG%, 1.7 REB, 1.3 AST, 23.5 MIN

AINHOA'S ASSISTS
Senior Ainhoa Cea has distributed the ball effectively in her first 11 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in nine of her first 11 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 5.6 assists per game rank second in the conference and 24th nationally. The senior's 5.6 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. Cea has posted six or more dimes in four of her last six games. She most recently totaled five at Ball State, Dec. 20.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and seventh in America averaging 36.1 minutes per game. Cea's 36.1 minutes per game are a career high and stand 7.3 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She recently tied a career best, playing the full 40 minutes for the third time this season against Indiana, Dec. 14, after playing wire-to-wire at Purdue Fort Wayne, Nov. 19, and Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded seven games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, recently doing so in consecutive games at Indiana, Dec. 14 (nine points, six assists, 10 rebounds), and at Ball State, Dec. 20 (eight points, five assists, three rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.2 points, 5.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She is shooting 49.1% from the field (27-for-55) and 35.7% (5-for-14) from three-point range.

PELKA FROM DOWNTOWN
Freshman Oliwia Pelka is shooting 37.5% from the three-point line, ranking 11th in the MAC and third among MAC freshmen. She made her NCAA debut against Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3, shooting 3-for-4 from the three-point line as she made three or more three-point field goals for the second time in her career with a trio of triples in the win over Defiance, Dec. 5. Pelka recently went 2-for-5 (40%) from behind the arc against Indiana, Dec. 14.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Ainhoa Cea eclipsed the 500-point plateau with nine against Duquesne, Dec. 9, becoming the second Eagle to do so this season after Brooklyn Thrash accomplished the feat against Michigan State, Nov. 9. Fernanda Ovalle needs 147 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 109 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 101 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She is 62 points from 1,500 and needs nine double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs 10 total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and 11 to be the sole record owner.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 143 consecutive games, the third-longest stretch since the start of the 1999-00 season. The longest streak in that period is 281 games, which began 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 hits the road to face Ohio University in Athens Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. Fans can listen live on 89.1 FM (WEMU) and The Varsity Network, 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 Hosts Bowling Green in MAC Home Opener Tuesday

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Players Mentioned

Elena Cabello

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Oliwia Pelka

Olivia Smith

Brooklyn Thrash

Believe Tshibangu

Olivia Westphal

Eastern Michigan Athletics