Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, December 9
Ypsilanti, Mich.
12 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-3,0-0MAC
74
vs
72
Duquesne
6-4,0-1Atlantic 10
1
2
3
4
F
Duquesne
10
18
31
13
72
Eastern Mich.
26
14
18
16
74
Photo by: Kaye Rich
Eleko's Game-Winning Layup Pushes Women's Basketball to Fourth Consecutive Victory
12/9/2025 4:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball, General
Eastern has won four consecutive games for the first time since 2022-23
Sisi Eleko Game-Winning Layup | Cinematic Recap
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Sisi Eleko banked in the game-winning layup with 12 seconds remaining as the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team captured its fourth consecutive win, besting Duquesne University, 74-72, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Ainhoa Cea (Irun, Spain/IES Pio Baroja Bhi/Lipscomb) jumped the passing lane on the ensuing Duquesne possession, cementing the Eagles' sixth win of the season.
Eastern used significant advantages in field goal percentage (54.2%-39.3%) and points in the paint (40-22) to secure the victory, as it was led by Eleko (Montreal,Quebec/New Hope Academy), who recorded her sixth double-double of the season with game highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds.
The Eagles were aided by strong showings from Fernanda Ovalle (Santiago, Chile/Montverde Academy) (14 points, two rebounds, 2-for-4 3FG) Brooklyn Thrash (Wayne, Ohio/Elmwood/Canisius) (12 points, four rebounds, 2-for-6 3FG).
Also contributing was Cea, who scored nine points with seven assists and three rebounds. Cea shot efficiently from the field, 4-for-5, including 1-for-1 from three-point range.
How it Happened
Making the first three-point field goal of the game, Ovalle helped Eastern get off to a 5-2 start. With 4:14 left in the quarter, the Eagles maintained the lead with a score of 9-6 going into the first media timeout. EMU later added 17 more points to its lead by the end of the quarter, 26-10, allowing just four Duquesne points after the media timeout.
The Dukes went on a hot run to start the second quarter, scoring 14 points and shooting 75% (6-for-8) going into the media timeout with 4:03 remaining in the frame, as Eastern remained in the lead, 32-25. Eastern kept its first-quarter lead intact going into the half as Cea drilled a triple with 36 seconds left to make the score 40-28 after two quarters.
Duquesne got off to a hot start following the intermission, scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter, cutting the EMU lead to two at 40-38. Thrash answered the bell for EMU, hitting three-point field goals in consecutive trips down the court to maintain a 54-46 Eastern lead. Duquesne took its first lead in the game after hitting a pair of free throws, 59-58.
The Eagles came out aggressive in the fourth, taking back a 67-62 lead via a nine-point run after the Dukes scored the first basket of the quarter. Ovalle scored five of the nine EMU points. Finding their groove, the Green and White scored 11 points, 69-63, within the first four minutes of the fourth quarter. The Dukes tied the game, 72-72, with 37.7 seconds left in regulation. With the score tied, Eleko received a pass near the free-throw line, pump faked, and dribbled her way to a right-handed layup to score the decisive bucket with 12 seconds remaining. Cea swiped a Dukes' pass attempting to cross half court and was fouled with one second to go. Eastern inbounded the ball cleanly as time expired, resulting in a 74-72 Eastern victory.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record improved to 6-3 (0-0 MAC) and Duquesne went to 6-4 (0-1 A10).
» Duquesne outrebounded the Eagles, 36-30. The last time the Eagles were outrebounded and won was in the 2024-25 season against Xavier, Dec 1, 2024, where the Musketeers outrebounded the Eagles (29-28).
» Eastern shot 54.2% (26-for-48) from the field including 29.4% (5-for-17) from three-point range, and 73.9% (17-for-23) from the free-throw line. Duquesne shot 39.3% (24-for-61) from the field, 36.8% (7-for-19) from the three-point line, and 73.9% (17-for-23) at the free-throw line.
» Both the Eagles and Musketeers made 26 field goals while having identical free-throw percentages, each shooting 73.9 % (17-for-23).
» Eastern's most lucrative offensive quarter was the first, scoring 26 points off 75% (9-for-12) shooting rate along with a 77.8% (7-for-9) clip from the free-throw line. Its best defensive quarter was the first, holding the Dukes to just 10 points on 25% shooting (4-for-16), including a 0-for-5 clip from three-point range.
» EMU held its opponent below 45.0% shooting (39.3%) for the sixth time this season, producing a 6-0 record when doing so.
» Eastern had at least three players (Eleko [23], Ovalle [14], Thrash [12]) score double-digit points for the seventh time this year.
» Eastern secured a 54.2% field goal (26-48) at the end of the game. The last time the Eagles scored over 54% from the field and won was in the 2023-24 season against South Alabama on Feb. 10, when EMU shot 54.9% (28-51) from the field.
» The Eagles finished the game scoring 74 total points, marking the second game this season to score 74 points or more in two consecutive winning games. The last time Eastern secured 74 points or more within two consecutive winning games was in the 2021-22 season against Detroit Mercy (76-66) and Grace Christian (133-45), Nov. 13-18.
» Sisi Eleko's 23 points and 11 rebounds marked her sixth double-double of the season, tying for the most in the MAC and marking the 20th double-double of her EMU career. She has secured a double-double in 54% (20-of-37) of her games as an Eagle.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her ninth consecutive double-digit scoring game of the season as she posted game-highs with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Eleko is up to 76 double-digit scoring games in her career.
» Sisi Eleko's 23 points mark her third time this season and 20th in her career, scoring 20+ points.
» Fernanda Ovalle secured 14 points, one off her season-high against Michigan State, Nov. 9. The performance marks her third time this season and 11th time in her career scoring 10+ points.
» Brooklyn Thrash scored 12 points to tie her season high. Her 12 points mark her fourth time this season and her 24th career game scoring 10+ points. She also tied a season-best with two three-point baskets.
Historical Notes
» Eastern won a fourth consecutive game for the first time in 1,116 days, dating back to the 2022-23 season when it won its first seven games of the season.
» With the win, Eastern secured its first 6-3 start or better through the first nine games of the season since it went 7-2 in its first nine games of the 2022-23 season. The win also secures the Eagles first time starting 3-0 at home since the 2022-23 season.
» Head Coach Sahar Nusseeibeh secured her first 6-3 start with Eastern and second 6-3 start as collegiate head coach through nine games.
» The Eagles and Dukes met for the second time overall and the first time in Ypsilanti. Eastern is now 2-0 against Duquesne.
» The game marked the 21st for Eastern against an A10 school. EMU leads the series with a 12-10 record against the conference. The Eagles hold a 7-3 record when hosting an A10 team.
» Ainhoa Cea scored nine points against Duquesne to reach the 500-point milestone. She is the second Eagle this season to do so, along with Brooklyn Thrash, who accomplished the feat at Michigan State, Nov. 9.
Up Next
Eastern will head back on the road to Bloomington, Ind., to take on Indiana University Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on B1G+.
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.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Sisi Eleko banked in the game-winning layup with 12 seconds remaining as the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team captured its fourth consecutive win, besting Duquesne University, 74-72, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Ainhoa Cea (Irun, Spain/IES Pio Baroja Bhi/Lipscomb) jumped the passing lane on the ensuing Duquesne possession, cementing the Eagles' sixth win of the season.
Eastern used significant advantages in field goal percentage (54.2%-39.3%) and points in the paint (40-22) to secure the victory, as it was led by Eleko (Montreal,Quebec/New Hope Academy), who recorded her sixth double-double of the season with game highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds.
The Eagles were aided by strong showings from Fernanda Ovalle (Santiago, Chile/Montverde Academy) (14 points, two rebounds, 2-for-4 3FG) Brooklyn Thrash (Wayne, Ohio/Elmwood/Canisius) (12 points, four rebounds, 2-for-6 3FG).
Also contributing was Cea, who scored nine points with seven assists and three rebounds. Cea shot efficiently from the field, 4-for-5, including 1-for-1 from three-point range.
How it Happened
Making the first three-point field goal of the game, Ovalle helped Eastern get off to a 5-2 start. With 4:14 left in the quarter, the Eagles maintained the lead with a score of 9-6 going into the first media timeout. EMU later added 17 more points to its lead by the end of the quarter, 26-10, allowing just four Duquesne points after the media timeout.
The Dukes went on a hot run to start the second quarter, scoring 14 points and shooting 75% (6-for-8) going into the media timeout with 4:03 remaining in the frame, as Eastern remained in the lead, 32-25. Eastern kept its first-quarter lead intact going into the half as Cea drilled a triple with 36 seconds left to make the score 40-28 after two quarters.
Duquesne got off to a hot start following the intermission, scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter, cutting the EMU lead to two at 40-38. Thrash answered the bell for EMU, hitting three-point field goals in consecutive trips down the court to maintain a 54-46 Eastern lead. Duquesne took its first lead in the game after hitting a pair of free throws, 59-58.
The Eagles came out aggressive in the fourth, taking back a 67-62 lead via a nine-point run after the Dukes scored the first basket of the quarter. Ovalle scored five of the nine EMU points. Finding their groove, the Green and White scored 11 points, 69-63, within the first four minutes of the fourth quarter. The Dukes tied the game, 72-72, with 37.7 seconds left in regulation. With the score tied, Eleko received a pass near the free-throw line, pump faked, and dribbled her way to a right-handed layup to score the decisive bucket with 12 seconds remaining. Cea swiped a Dukes' pass attempting to cross half court and was fouled with one second to go. Eastern inbounded the ball cleanly as time expired, resulting in a 74-72 Eastern victory.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record improved to 6-3 (0-0 MAC) and Duquesne went to 6-4 (0-1 A10).
» Duquesne outrebounded the Eagles, 36-30. The last time the Eagles were outrebounded and won was in the 2024-25 season against Xavier, Dec 1, 2024, where the Musketeers outrebounded the Eagles (29-28).
» Eastern shot 54.2% (26-for-48) from the field including 29.4% (5-for-17) from three-point range, and 73.9% (17-for-23) from the free-throw line. Duquesne shot 39.3% (24-for-61) from the field, 36.8% (7-for-19) from the three-point line, and 73.9% (17-for-23) at the free-throw line.
» Both the Eagles and Musketeers made 26 field goals while having identical free-throw percentages, each shooting 73.9 % (17-for-23).
» Eastern's most lucrative offensive quarter was the first, scoring 26 points off 75% (9-for-12) shooting rate along with a 77.8% (7-for-9) clip from the free-throw line. Its best defensive quarter was the first, holding the Dukes to just 10 points on 25% shooting (4-for-16), including a 0-for-5 clip from three-point range.
» EMU held its opponent below 45.0% shooting (39.3%) for the sixth time this season, producing a 6-0 record when doing so.
» Eastern had at least three players (Eleko [23], Ovalle [14], Thrash [12]) score double-digit points for the seventh time this year.
» Eastern secured a 54.2% field goal (26-48) at the end of the game. The last time the Eagles scored over 54% from the field and won was in the 2023-24 season against South Alabama on Feb. 10, when EMU shot 54.9% (28-51) from the field.
» The Eagles finished the game scoring 74 total points, marking the second game this season to score 74 points or more in two consecutive winning games. The last time Eastern secured 74 points or more within two consecutive winning games was in the 2021-22 season against Detroit Mercy (76-66) and Grace Christian (133-45), Nov. 13-18.
» Sisi Eleko's 23 points and 11 rebounds marked her sixth double-double of the season, tying for the most in the MAC and marking the 20th double-double of her EMU career. She has secured a double-double in 54% (20-of-37) of her games as an Eagle.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her ninth consecutive double-digit scoring game of the season as she posted game-highs with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Eleko is up to 76 double-digit scoring games in her career.
» Sisi Eleko's 23 points mark her third time this season and 20th in her career, scoring 20+ points.
» Fernanda Ovalle secured 14 points, one off her season-high against Michigan State, Nov. 9. The performance marks her third time this season and 11th time in her career scoring 10+ points.
» Brooklyn Thrash scored 12 points to tie her season high. Her 12 points mark her fourth time this season and her 24th career game scoring 10+ points. She also tied a season-best with two three-point baskets.
Historical Notes
» Eastern won a fourth consecutive game for the first time in 1,116 days, dating back to the 2022-23 season when it won its first seven games of the season.
» With the win, Eastern secured its first 6-3 start or better through the first nine games of the season since it went 7-2 in its first nine games of the 2022-23 season. The win also secures the Eagles first time starting 3-0 at home since the 2022-23 season.
» Head Coach Sahar Nusseeibeh secured her first 6-3 start with Eastern and second 6-3 start as collegiate head coach through nine games.
» The Eagles and Dukes met for the second time overall and the first time in Ypsilanti. Eastern is now 2-0 against Duquesne.
» The game marked the 21st for Eastern against an A10 school. EMU leads the series with a 12-10 record against the conference. The Eagles hold a 7-3 record when hosting an A10 team.
» Ainhoa Cea scored nine points against Duquesne to reach the 500-point milestone. She is the second Eagle this season to do so, along with Brooklyn Thrash, who accomplished the feat at Michigan State, Nov. 9.
Up Next
Eastern will head back on the road to Bloomington, Ind., to take on Indiana University Sunday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on B1G+.
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.
Team Stats
DU
EMU
FG%
.393
.542
3FG%
.368
.294
FT%
.739
.739
RB
36
30
TO
16
16
STL
13
8
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's BasketballM/F
/ Women's BasketballY/W
/ Women's BasketballM
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Cinematic Recap against Duquesne
Tuesday, December 09
Sisi Eleko Game-Winning Layup vs Duquesne
Tuesday, December 09
Oliwia Pelka Career-High 15 Point Performance Against Defiance
Monday, December 08
Sahar Nusseibeh Postgame Interview vs. Defiance
Saturday, December 06