Eagles Travel to Akron for Final Road Trip

GAME #28: Women's Basketball at Akron
Date	Wednesday, March 5 \| 6 p.m.
Venue	James A. Rhodes Arena (5,500)
Preview Info	EMU Notes (pdf)
Live Stats	Fan Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Listen	n/a
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Fan Information	Purchase Tickets for SENIOR DAY on March 8

AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team will play its final road contest of the season Wednesday, March 5, when the Eagles venture to the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio, to face the University of Akron. The 6 p.m. Mid-American Conference game between the Eagles (2-25, 1-15 MAC) and the Zips (9-20, 3-13 MAC) will be streamed live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available at EMUEagles.com/livestats while periodic updates will be posted on the team's official X account (@EMUWBB).

FREE THROWS
» The Eagles are entering the final week of games that ends with a Senior Day game against Bowling Green, Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. Five members of the program will be honored ahead of the game, including four players and one senior manager.
» The Eagles and Zips enter the game following a loss in their most recent contests with EMU falling at Buffalo, 71-54, and Akron dropping a 64-44 home contest to Kent State.
» Olivia Smith led the way at Buffalo with a season-high 17 points that included a career-high five three-point baskets, which also ties for the most by an EMU player this season. With her points, Smith now ranks 45th all-time in program history with 703 career points.
» With eight points and seven rebounds, Sisi Eleko climbed several spots on three lists, including 18th on the single-season and eighth on the junior season lists with 460 points while climbing to fifth in single-season rebounds with 264.
» Eastern Michigan finished with 11 three-pointers, marking its second consecutive game with double-digit triples after sinking 14 against Miami (Feb. 27). The last time the Eagles accomplished the feat was Jan. 23, 2019, against Bowling Green and Jan. 26, 2019, at Central Michigan when EMU connected on 12 and 10, respectively.
» EMU made 25 three-pointers in its last two games (14 vs. Miami and 11 at Buffalo), marking the most made in a two-game span since the 2015 season. That year, the Eagles connected on 15 against Akron in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament (March 12, 2015) before scoring 10 against Ball State in the semifinals (March 13, 2015).
» The Eagles connected on 11 three-pointers at Buffalo (March 1) to extend their current streak to 130 consecutive games with at least one triple. The last time EMU was held without a three-pointer was Nov. 29, 2020, against UIC (0-of-15).

KNOW THE FOE: AKRON
The Zips have lost 13 consecutive games, including a 64-44 setback at home to Kent State in their most recent contest, since winning at EMU, 61-56. Holders of a 6-9 home record, Akron is led by three players in double figures, including Shelbee Brown (13.2), Alexus Mobley (12.0), and Teniesha Clarke (10.8). Brown also leads the team with 8.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest.

ALL-TIME VS. AKRON
The Eagles trail, 19-31, all-time against Akron and have lost six consecutive meetings, including a 61-56 home loss earlier this year (Jan. 11). EMU, who is 8-14 all-time playing in Akron, last defeated the Zips Jan. 16, 2021, in a 64-46 home win. The last time Eastern was victorious on the road came March 11, 2019, in a 61-59 win in the opening round of the 2019 MAC Tournament.

IN THE LAST MEETING
Eastern Michigan battled to the end, but a gritty defensive showing down the stretch was not enough as the Eagles dropped a home MAC game to visiting Akron, 61-56, Jan. 11, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti. Sisi Eleko scored 17 points and Mackenzie Amalia added 16 for the Eagles as the Zips secured the win.

Eastern trailed by 12 entering the fourth quarter before closing the gap to five, but it could get no further in the contest. Olivia Smith finished with 10 points, marking the fifth time this year she finished with double-digit points. Smith also was 2-of-3 from distance in the game. Brooklyn Thrash tallied seven rebounds to go along with her six points against the Zips. Her seven boards marked a then-season high.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 130 consecutive games, the third-longest stretch since the start of the 1999-00 season, after scoring 11 at Buffalo, March 1. 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 streak lasted 157 games and started Dec. 9, 2014, until no makes halted the streak, Nov. 29, 2020, against visiting UIC.

FROM DOWNTOWN
Eastern is averaging 7.5 made three-pointers per game, which ranks second in the MAC. Eastern had connected on 7+ triples in seven consecutive games before finishing with six at Kent State, Jan. 29. Overall, EMU has scored at least seven three-pointers in 18-of-27 games played this season (66.7 percent), including the 11 scored at Buffalo (March 1).

MAKING IT WORK FROM LONG DISTANCE
Eastern Michigan finished with 11 three-pointers at Buffalo, March 1, marking its second consecutive game with double-digit triples after sinking 14 against Miami (Feb. 27). The last time the Eagles recorded back-to-back games with double-digit three-point baskets was Jan. 23, 2019, against Bowling Green and Jan. 26, 2019, at Central Michigan when EMU connected on 12 and 10, respectively.

BACK-TO-BACK BINGE
In its last two games, Eastern Michigan has scored 25 three-point baskets, including 14 at home against Miami (Feb. 26) and 11 at Buffalo (March 1). Those 25 mark the most made in a two-game span since the 2015 season. That year, the Eagles connected on 15 against Akron in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament (March 12, 2015) before scoring 10 against Ball State in the semifinals (March 13, 2015).

Looking back at digital records (since the 1999-00 season), the most three-pointers the Eagles have made in three consecutive games are 33, which they accomplished twice. The first instance came in the 1999-00 season in home games with Bowling Green (16, Feb. 12), Ball State (four, Feb. 16), and Toledo (13, Feb. 21). The most recent was during the 2014-15 campaign, including at Kent State (nine, Feb. 4), home against Ball State (11, Feb. 11), and home against Central Michigan (13, Feb. 14). Later that season, the team's first MAC Tournament games produced 32 makes, including seven against Toledo before the 25 made against Akron (15) and BSU (10).

FOR THREE
Following back-to-back games with double-digit triples, the Eagles have brought their season total to 202 three-point baskets, which ranks ninth on the single-season ledger. Only the 10th EMU squad to make 200+ three-point baskets in a single season, the Eagles could climb higher by hitting their 7.5 per game average in the final two contests. Should they do that, the Eagles would finish the year with 216, which would tie for fifth on the list with the 2000-01 team. Additionally, the team has launched 663 three-point attempts, which rank fifth in a single-season. Averaging 24.5 attempts per game, EMU is on pace to attempt 712 three-pointers, which would make them only the second Eagle squad to attempt over 700 in a single season (2013-14, 723).

SMITH IN THE TOP 50
Olivia Smith scored a season-high 17 points at Buffalo (March 1) to bring her career total over 700 points, making her the 45th different player to reach the milestone in program history. Ranked 45th all-time with 703 points

SISI WITH DUB-DUBS
Sisi Eleko nearly picked up her MAC-leading 13th double-double of the season against Miami (Feb. 26) as she finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Ranked 26th nationally in the category, Eleko is now tied for 10th on the all-time EMU ledger (since 1999) with Paige Redditt (2008-12) and Shani Charles (1997-01). Next on the list is Stephanie Smiley (1998-02) with 14.

CLIMBING LADDERS
Sisi Eleko has accumulated 460 points this season, which ranks eighth on the program's single-season scoring list for players in their junior season with Areanna Combs (2019-20) next on the list at 465. Additionally, she is 18th on the overall single-season list with Sarah VanMetre (2006-07) next on the list with 461 points.

CLEANING GLASS
Sisi Eleko is not only climbing two scoring ladders but also making her mark on the single-season rebounding ledger as her 264 caroms rank fifth. Felicia Hines (1983-84) is next up on the list with 266. If Eleko, who is averaging 10.2 per game, maintains her current pace, she could climb into second on the list.

DOUBLED UP
Sisi Eleko scored 14 points at Georgia State, Feb. 8, to bring her then-season total to 403 points. Along with her then-220 rebounds, Eleko became the first EMU player since Natachia Watkins (2011-12) to score at least 400 points and record at least 200 rebounds in the same season. That year, Watkins finished with 405 points and 218 rebounds in 32 games played.

ELITE COMPANY
Sisi Eleko also is on pace to do something done just two other EMU players have done in program history: average a double-double for the season. The first to do so was Felicia Hines, who tallied 12.0 points and 11.7 rebounds during the 1984-85 season. Ce'Nara Skanes was the most recent entrant to the list as she averaged 16.0 points and 10.9 rebounds per game during the 2020-21 season. Through the Buffalo game (March 1), Eleko is averaging 17.7 points and 10.2 rebounds.

NATIONALLY KNOWN
Sisi Eleko remains ranked among the top 50 in three statistical categories according to the latest rankings from the NCAA (March 2). She currently ranks 26th in double-doubles (13), 22nd in rebounds per game (10.2), and 47th in total rebounds (265). Mackenzie Amalia, who returned to play against Miami (Feb. 26) for the first time since Jan. 22, ranks fifth nationally in minutes per game at 37.5.

THRASHING NETS
Brooklyn Thrash had a career day for the Eagles against Miami (Feb. 26) as she tied both her highs for points with 16 and three-point field goals with four, which she set earlier this year against Xavier (Dec. 1). Thrash's biggest quarter came in the third when she drained three triples to lead the Eagles, who had eight makes from distance.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE BEHIND THE ARC
Olivia Westphal has made 59 three pointers in 26 games this year (2.3 per game), which is 36 more than her total from the 2023-24 season when she scored 23 three-pointers in 28 games (0.8). Additionally, Westphal has scored 2+ triples in 18-of-26 games played this year after she made 1+ three-point shots in 12-of-28 games last year.

MAJOR MINUTES
Mackenzie Amalia averages 37.5 minutes per game which ranks fifth in the NCAA. Amalia is one of five Eagles that rank in the top 25 of minutes played in the MAC, including Sisi Eleko in sixth (34.0), Olivia Smith is 10th (32.7), Olivia Westphal is 19th (31.2), and Brooklyn Thrash is 21st (30.4).

FIRST TIMES
Six players have made their EMU debuts this year with Jada Williams the latest to join the list after playing six minutes against Xavier, Dec. 1. Previously, rookies Chelsea Bishop (Nov. 21) and Olivia DiFranco (Nov. 9) saw their first action while transfers Mackenzie Amalia, Brooklyn Thrash, and Sisi Eleko each started in the opener against Texas State (Nov. 4). Additionally, Elena Cabello entered the game against Texas State, which marked her first game action since March 8, 2023, against Bowling Green in the MAC Tournament, after sitting out all last season with an injury.

ON THE HORIZON
The final game of the 2024-25 season awaits the Eagles this weekend as Eastern Michigan will play host to the Falcons of Bowling Green State University Saturday, March 8, in a 2 p.m. contest inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti. The program will honor five seniors prior to the game, a group that includes Olivia Westphal, Mackenzie Amalia, Ashley Hassett, and Kyndal Lewis, and one senior manager, Lexie Mesuch.

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 team on Instagram (@EMUWBB).

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mackenzie Amalia

Chelsea Bishop

Elena Cabello

Olivia DiFranco

Sisi Eleko

Ashley Hassett

Kyndal Lewis

Olivia Smith

Brooklyn Thrash

Olivia Westphal

Jada Williams

Eastern Michigan Athletics