Women's Basketball Readies for Rivalry Game at Central Michigan Saturday

Women's Basketball at Central Michigan
Dates/Times	Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m.
Venue	McGuirk Arena \| Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Live Stats
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Looking to get back in the win column, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team travels north to face rival Central Michigan University, Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m., inside McGuirk Arena.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ and 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 and is currently 7-8 (1-4 MAC).
» Eastern has more than tripled its number of wins from the 2024-25 season (two) as it currently totals seven.
» Ainhoa Cea is one of 11 players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game as she is posting 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per contest. Of players on that list, she is one of three shooting 50% or better, and the only player shooting 45% or better from three-point range.
» Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan are meeting for the 97th time as EMU holds a 39-57 all-time record in the series and 16-30 when playing in Mt. Pleasant.
» The 97 meetings between EMU and CMU tie for EMU's most storied in-state rivalry in program history.
» Eastern dropped both matches to the Chippewas last season, Jan. 18, and Feb. 19.
»The Eagles are looking for their first win over CMU since they topped the Chippewas on the road in Mt. Pleasant, 68-54, Feb. 4, 2023.
» Fernanda Ovalle has excelled in eight of her last nine games, averaging 16.6 points off 47.1% shooting from the field and 32.6% from three-point range. She was previously averaging 7.7 points off 34.0% shooting.
» 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 most recently dropped a game at MAC first-place Miami, 69-55, Jan. 14. EMU was led by Ainhoa Cea (10 points, eight rebounds, five assists), and Sisi Eleko (19 points, six rebounds, four assists) in the contest.
» 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.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per contest, making her one of 11 players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Of players on that list, she is one of three shooting 50% or better, and the only player shooting 45% or better from three-point range. The other two players shooting 50% or better from the field while posting the stat line are Olivia Miles of TCU and Kennedy Blair of Michigan State. Miles ranks top three in the Big 12 Conference in points and assists per game, while Blair stands in the top 25 of the Big Ten Conference for points, rebounds, and assists per game.

ELEKO CLOSING IN ON 1,500 POINTS
Senior Sisi Eleko is closing in on 1,500 career points. She currently totals 1,493, requiring seven to reach the mark. She is expected to eclipse 1,500 points at Central Michigan, Jan. 17. 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 47 active Division I players to reach the milestone.

STORIED RIVALRY WITH CMU
Come Saturday, EMU vs. CMU will tie the Eagles' rivalry with Western Michigan for the most storied series in program history.

IN THE 90's
The 96, soon to be 97 games played between EMU and CMU will tie with Eastern's series against Western Michigan for the longest in program history. Overall, Eastern has played over 90 games in four different series, including 97 with Western Michigan, 96 with Central Michigan, 94 with Toledo, and 93 with Ball State. The next series in line is the 80 games played with Bowling Green.

ALL-TIME VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will meet for the 97th time in program history as EMU holds a 39-57 all-time record against CMU, and a 16-30 mark when facing it in Mt. Pleasant. The two institutions first met in the 1976-77 season at a neutral site venue in Windsor, Ontario, as EMU emerged victorious, 78-49. Central holds an edge in the last 10 games with a 6-4 record, as the series has seen extensive winning streaks from both teams, including a 16-game winning streak for EMU from 2001-08. CMU ripped off 13-straight victories from 2016-20, before EMU snapped the streak with a 70-67 road win in Mt. Pleasant, Jan. 20, 2021.

FIRST TIME BEATING CENTRAL SINCE?
The Eagles are looking for their first win over CMU since they topped the Chippewas on the road in Mt. Pleasant, 68-54, Feb. 4, 2023. Lachelle Austin, Ce'Nara Skanes, and Tayra Eke combined to score 53 of Eastern Michigan's 68 total points (78%).
Austin led the Eagles with 21 points and three steals. Skanes tacked on a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Eke helped out with 14 points, three steals and two blocks.
The Eastern defense was effective at taking away the basketball, forcing 29 Central Michigan turnovers while committing 16. Those takeaways turned into 29 points on the offensive end of the floor. Olivia Smith led the way individually for the Eagles with four steals.

LAST SEASON AGAINST CMU
Eastern dropped both games against Central Michigan last season by nearly the same score, losing the first on the road in Mt. Pleasant, 73-64, Jan. 18, before falling short at home, 74-62, Feb. 19.
The first game saw the Eagles fall behind by 19 points at halftime before cutting the deficit to five in the second half, ultimately falling, 73-64. Former Eagle Mackenzie Amalia scored a season-high 19 points in the tilt.
In the second game, one-time Eagle Kyndal Lewis posted a career-high 15 points while freshman Chelsea Bishop also posted a career best, adding 11 points.

LAST TIME ON THE ROAD AT CENTRAL
EMU fell on the road in Mt. Pleasant, 73-64, Jan. 18. Eastern fell behind by 19 points at halftime before cutting the deficit to five in the second half, ultimately falling, 73-64. Former Eagle Mackenzie Amalia scored a season-high 19 points in the tilt.

MITTEN MEETINGS
The Eagles are 173-170 all-time against teams from the state of Michigan. They hold a 1-1 record this season when battling teams from The Mitten State with a 64-55 win at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 26, and a loss at Michigan State, Nov. 9. MSU ranked No. 23 in the AP poll at the time and currently stands 15th.

CMU TIES
Central Michigan Head Coach Kristin Haynie served as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan from 2012-14, highlighted by an 18-14 record in the 2013-14 season. As a highly-skilled recruiter, the Eagles were selected as the top recruiting class in the MAC and the 65th-best class in the nation, according to the Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report in her first season. EMU was the lone MAC institution represented inside Olsen's top 90 ranked teams. In year two, Haynie aided in one of the biggest turnarounds in the nation as the Green and White tied for 17th nationally in a list of most improved Division I programs. EMU finished 18-14 in the 2013-14 season with an increase of 10 wins and a nine-game improvement in overall record. Haynie also helped coach Cha Sweeney to MAC Freshman of the Year and All-MAC second team honors, while Sweeney and Janay Morton were both named to the to the All-Freshman squad.

LAST TIME OUT: AT MIAMI, JAN. 14
Eastern fell on the road at MAC first-place Miami, 69-55, Wednesday night inside Millett Hall, Jan. 14. Eastern led early, 5-2, before Miami went on an 8-0 run, leading the remainder of the contest on the way to their fifth MAC win of the season.
Ainhoa Cea and Sisi Eleko led the attack for EMU. Cea filled up the box score, recording 10 points with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while shooting 2-for-3 from three-point range. Eleko scored 19 points off 7-for-15 shooting, with six rebounds, and a season-high four assists.

NOTABLES FROM GAME AT MIAMI
» The EMU bench scored 21 points, its most of the season when facing a Division I opponent, as it outscored Miami's bench, 21-9. The Eagles' bench has picked up the pace as of late, scoring 11+ points in three consecutive games for the first time this season. The game marked the fifth time EMU's bench has outscored its opponent as Eastern is 3-2 when doing so.
» Ainhoa Cea recorded her 10th game of the season with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds, as she posted 10 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
» Ainhoa Cea had her third game with double-digit points this season, and her second game with at least 10 points and eight plus rebounds or assists. Cea bucketed 10 points with eight rebounds against the RedHawks.
» Ainhoa Cea swiped three or more steals for the sixth time this season. She has accomplished the feat in three of her last four games.
» Peyton Hill secured her 12th double-digit scoring game of the season with 13 points off 5-for-7 shooting from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range. Hill's trio of triples mark a career high for the freshman.
» Peyton Hill recorded a career-best three steals.
» Sisi Eleko, Peyton Hill, and Ainhoa Cea combined to account for 76% of the Eagles points.

HOME STRETCH LOOMING
After the game against the Chippewas, Jan. 17, Eastern will play eight of its final 13 games inside the friendly confines of the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where it holds a 4-1 mark this season.

HILL HEATING UP FROM THREE
Freshman Peyton Hill has caught fire from deep as of late, shooting at least 50% in four of her last five games as she is averaging 3.8 attempts per game while shooting 52.6% (10-for-19) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to fifth in the MAC in three-point shooting, as she is up to 41.5% (18-for-43) this season, the best clip from a MAC freshman. She recently made a career-best three triples at Miami, Jan. 14.

A NEW STARTING FIVE
EMU has started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Believe Tshibangu, and Peyton Hill, the past two games against the Golden Flashes, Jan. 10, and at Miami, Jan. 14, marking just the second starting five variation for the Eagles this season. EMU was previously one of 14 known schools to start the same five every game in 2025-26.

FACING LESS EXPERIENCED COACH
Central Michigan represents one of 12 teams where the opposing head coach has less Division I head coaching experience than Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh. Thus far this season, Nusseibeh is 5-2 against head coaches with less experience. Her most recent win under the circumstances came in against Bowling Green's Fred Chmiel, whom her Eagles bested, 86-76, Dec. 30.

THE OFFENSE IS HUMMIN'
Eastern has thrived offensively the past eight games, greatly improving upon multiple offensive statistics from the first seven games of the season.

EMU Last Eight Games (All per game averages)
Pts: 75.5, FG%: 45.9%, 3P FG%: 35.0%, Ast: 15.9, TO: 17.0

EMU Previous Seven Games (All per game averages)
Pts: 61.9, FG%: 38.8%, 3P FG%: 26.7%, Ast: 11.9, TO: 19.1

The stretch features a 13.6 points per game increase, 4.0 jump in assists, 8.0% advancement in three-point field-goal percentage, 7.1% improvement in from the field, while turnovers have decreased by 2.1.

HIGH IN THE MAC AS OF LATE: TEAM
Since EMU's recent offensive hot streak (since Dec. 6), EMU ranks highly in the MAC in multiple categories.

Category          Rnk       Value
FG%     2nd       46.5% (178-for-383)
3P FG%              2nd       35.8% (53-for-148)
3P FG Per Game           5th        7.57
Points/Game 6th        72.57

MAC LEADERS AS OF LATE: INDIVIDUAL
Since EMU's recent offensive hot streak (since Dec. 6), EMU has multiple individuals that rank highly in the MAC in several categories.

Name Stat      Rnk       Value (All Per Game Avgs.)
A. Cea MPG     1st         37.66
A. Cea APG      2nd       6.14
S. Eleko              PPG      2nd       18.83
F. Ovalle             PPG      4th        16.43
B. Thrash          MPG     4th`     36.08
S. Eleko              RPG      4th        8.17
S. Eleko              FG%     5th        50.0% (44-for-88)
F. Ovalle             FG%     6th        45.6% (41-for-90)
A. Cea DREB   6th        5.00

OVALLE NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fernanda Ovalle was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, Jan. 6. The junior posted the second double-double of her NCAA career, scoring a career-high 26 points with a season-high 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal, leading the Eagles to an 86-76 victory against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, snapping the Falcons' seven-game win streak.
Ovalle's 26.0 points per game average was the highest in the MAC last week, while her 2.00 blocks per game ranked second, and her 10.0 rebounds per game slotted third. She was efficient offensively against the Falcons, shooting 47.1% (8-for-17) from the field and 88.9% (8-for-9) from the free-throw line. Her eight makes and nine attempts from the free-throw line mark a career-high, as did her 38 minutes played.
The honor marks the first player of the week award of Ovalle's career, as she previously earned Big East Freshman of the Week recognition with the Xavier Musketeers, Nov. 28, 2022.

THREE POTW AWARDS IN ONE SEASON
After Sisi Eleko's MAC Player of the Week awards (Dec. 2 and Dec. 16), and Fernanda Ovalle's, Jan. 6, EMU has earned three or more MAC Player of the Week awards for the first time since the 2011-12 season, when program all-time points leader Tavelyn James earned MAC West Player of the Week five times (Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13, Feb. 20). Additionally, Eastern's three conference player of the week awards lead the MAC.

FERNANDA FINDING HER FOOTING
Fernanda Ovalle has put together a string of strong performances, scoring 10+ in seven of her last nine games with a pair of five-assist outings, including a then-career-best 22 points and five assists at Ball State, Dec. 20, before topping that with a career-high 26 points and season-best 10 rebounds against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. Ovalle recently scored 11 points against Kent State, Jan. 10. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points and rebounds per game average, along with her field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle Eight of Last Nine Games (All Per Game Averages)
16.6 PTS, 47.1 FG%, 3.9 REB, 2.5 AST, 30.8 MIN

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

OVALLE CONSECUTIVE CAREER HIGHS/ DBL DBL
Fernanda Ovalle recorded consecutive career highs in points amongst her hot streak. She scored a then-career-high 22 points at Ball State, Dec. 20, before recording a career-best 26 points in the win against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. Ovalle was aggressive on the boards against the Falcons, securing a season-high 10 rebounds and her first double-double as an Eagle, marking the second of her NCAA career.

OVALLE THREE CONSECUTIVE 20-POINT GAMES
After scoring 24 points at Ohio, Jan. 7, Fernanda Ovalle tallied three straight 20-point outings for the first time in her career as she is the only Eagle to do so this season and one of two MAC players to accomplish the feat. Ovalle started her run with a then-career-high 22 points at Ball State, Dec. 20, before recording a career-best 26 points in the win against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, and 24 points at Ohio, Jan. 7.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 86+ POINTS
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, Jan. 7, and 86 points against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, Eastern scored 86+ points in consecutive games for the first time since the 2013-14 season. That season, EMU scored 95 points in a 95-62 win over Lawrence Tech, Dec. 31, before putting up 88 in a 88-70 victory over Kent State, Jan. 4.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, Jan. 7, and 86 points against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, Eastern has scored 86+ points in consecutive conference games for first time since the 2003-04 season, when the Eagles beat the Akron Zips, 93-37, Jan. 7, prior to besting rivals Central Michigan, 87-50, Jan. 10.
» Eastern is one of two MAC teams to score 86+ points in multiple conference games this season.

FIVE-WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 7-8 record currently stands as a five-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season. The five-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2022-23 squad improved by eight wins (15-15) from the 2021-22 team's 7-20 record.

COOKIN' IN CONFERENCE PLAY: TEAM
Although just five games into league action, Eastern ranks high in several categories.

Category          Rnk       Value
3-Point FG%: 2nd       39.0% (41-for-105)
FG%: 3rd        46.7% (128-for-274)
Points Per Game:        4th        73.40
3P FGs Per Game:       4th        8.20
Assist/TO Ratio:           5th        0.84
Asst Per Game:             5th        15.20

COOKIN' IN CONFERENCE PLAY: INDIVIDUAL
Although just five games into league action, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, and Peyton Hill rank highly in multiple categories.

Name Stat      Rnk       Value
A. Cea 3P FG%              1st         85.7% (6-for-7)
A. Cea APG      2nd       6.00
S. Eleko              PPG      2nd       18.75
A. Cea MPG     3rd        37.40
F. Ovalle             PPG      4th        17.00
F. Ovalle             3P FG/GM         T5th      2.00
P. Hill   3P FG/GM         T5th      2.00
F. Ovalle             MPG     6th        35.34

BK CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 11+ POINTS/7+
REBOUNDS
After a career-best 22-points and seven rebounds at Ohio, Jan. 7, and an 11-point/eight-rebound game against Kent State, Jan. 10, Brooklyn Thrash recorded consecutive games with at least 11 points and seven rebounds for the first time in her career. She averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over the span, while shooting 87.5% (7-for-8) from the free-throw line, and 36.4% (4-for-11) from the field.

3-STRAIGHT GAMES WITH MULTIPLE 20-POINT PERFORMANCES
With Fernanda Ovalle (24 points) and Brooklyn Thrash's (22) 20-point outings at Ohio, Jan. 7, Eastern had three consecutive games with multiple 20-point scorers for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign. The streak started with Ovalle (22) and Sisi Eleko (20) each recording 20+ points at Ball State, Dec. 20, prior to Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22), and Eleko (20) doing so against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. The stretch is the Eagles first since Areanna Combs and Courtnie Lewis did so in the three straight games to end the 2019-20 season against Central Michigan, March 7, Northern Illinois, March 9, and Ball State, March 11.

TRIO OF 20-POINT PERFORMANCES
Fernanda Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22 points), and Sisi Eleko (20 points) each recorded 20+ points in the 86-76 win against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. This marked the first time the Eagles had three players score 20+ points for the first time since Chanise Baldwin (26), Cha Sweeny (24), and Janay Morton (20) did so in the second round of the women's NIT against TCU, March 19, 2016. It's also the first time Eastern has had three individuals with 20+ points in a conference game since at least the 1998-99 season.

EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Fernanda Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22 points), and Sisi Eleko's (20 points) 20-point performances against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, is the only occasion of a MAC school having three players with 20+ points in a single game this season.

ELEKO MAC POTW X2
Sisi Eleko 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 second-most in the MAC and seventh-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.

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
Eastern is 4-1 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it started 6-0 at home. Eastern notably topped Robert Morris in its home opener, Nov. 26, who was receiving votes in the College Insider Mid Major poll, and is predicted to finish second in the Horizon League. EMU also ended Bowling Green's seven-game win streak after topping the Falcons, 86-76. EMU is looking for a 5-1 home start or better for the first time since 2022-23.

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 seven, more than triple the amount of wins it had in 2024-25. Three of Eastern's seven 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 quadrupled its home win total from last season (one) as it won its fourth home game of the season against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. A win against the Chippewas would quadruple the Eagles' 2024-25 road-win total (one) and exceed their conference win sum (one).

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

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 74.6% (203-for-272) from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 59th in the country. Although just 15 games in, EMU's 74.6% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 2.0% 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 15 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. Peyton Hill (81.7%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks fourth, and is the best from a MAC freshman. Eastern recently broke the program and George Gervin GameAbove Center records in free throws made and attempted, shooting 77.1% (37-for-48) against Bowling Green, Dec. 30.

STARTERS CARRY THE WORKLOAD
A large majority of Eastern's 69.1 points per game is scored by the starting five, as they have accounted for 82.9% (860-of-1,037) of EMU's total points.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 7-1 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in its seven 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 seven wins and 31.3% or better in six of EMU's eight losses. Eastern is also 6-4 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 11-of-15 games this season while holding a clean 6-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
Eastern ranks sixth in the MAC with a +3.5 rebounding margin as opponents average 32.6 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 36.1 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in 11 of the last 14 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (9.4 rebounds per game, second in the MAC), Ainhoa Cea averages 4.9 per game while standing 5-foot-6, and Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes to rebounding, averaging 4.7 per game.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage early in the season. The Eagles are 4-1 at home while outscoring opponents by 12.2 points per game. EMU averages 77.0 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 64.8. The defense has forced 19.2 opponent turnovers per game at home while committing 16.6. The rebounding margin sits at plus 5.2, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 10.5 rebounds per home contest and scores 21.3 points per game on 57.7% shooting.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles have outscored opponents 106 to 71 in first quarters and 192 to 143 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 37.3% overall in home games and 29.5% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 8.2 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions and transition scoring chances.

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, Nov. 7, and a 52-41 win at St. Thomas, Nov. 14. 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 seven victories, EMU posts a +17.9 scoring margin and holds opponents under 55.0 points per game. The Eagles shoot 42.5% from the floor while limiting opponents to 33.6%. Rebounding stands out at plus 8.6 per game. EMU also records nearly twice as many assists as opponents, 13.3 to 7.4, highlighting unselfish offense and effective execution.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 149 to 123 in fourth quarters. Free-throw efficiency is a factor: EMU shoots 79.5% at the line in wins and averages 17.7 made free throws per game. Peyton Hill averages 15.1 points per game in wins, shoots 47.8% 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. Named Preseason First Team All-MAC, Eleko has scored at least 10 points in all 14 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in five, 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 17.9 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, ranking first and second in the MAC, respectively, while averaging 32.6 minutes per game (10th in the MAC), and shooting 49.5% from the field (14th in the conference).

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has seven double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and eighth nationally by value. The senior also paces the MAC in points per game, posting 17.9 per contest. Her 9.4 rebounds per game rank second in the MAC and 38th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (7.6), checking in at No. 14 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 39 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
Leading the MAC in points (17.9) and ranking second in rebounds (9.4) per game, Eleko is one of just eight players nationally to rank top two in their respective conference in both points and rebounds per game.

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 12 of her first 15 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 15 games, Hill is averaging 13.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 81.7% from the free-throw line, 45.5% from the field, and 41.9% from three.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 13.1 points per game, 81.7% clip from the free throw line, and 41.9% rate from beyond the arc are all the best from a MAC freshman this season.

FRESHMAN 10+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (12) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 in the 2017-18 season.

FRESHMAN POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill posted a career-high 22 points in the win against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. Her 22 points are the second-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. Hill's two 20-point outings are the most from an EMU rookie since Stanley put up three in 2019-20.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 81.7% from the line, the fourth-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the 13th-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 81.7% clip would tie for eighth in the program's single-season records if it is maintained. The record is currently held by Kelly Helbler, who shot 91.1% (82-of-90) in the 1989-90 season.

UNDERSIZED REBOUNDER
Standing 5-foot-6, Ainhoa Cea pulls down an average of 4.9 rebounds per game. Although five other MAC guards averaged 4.9 rebounds per game or more, all of them stand at least two inches taller (5-foot-8) than Cea. She has grabbed at least four rebounds in five of her last six games with her highest single-game total being 10 at Indiana, Dec. 14. Cea's 10 rebounds against the Hoosiers are the most from an EMU player 5-foot-6 or shorter since Juanita Agosto also grabbed 10 against Western Michigan, Jan, 19, 2022.

AINHOA'S ASSISTS
Senior Ainhoa Cea has distributed the ball effectively in her first 15 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 12 of her first 15 games, with her highest total being 12 at Ohio, on Jan. 7. Cea's 12 assists against the Bobcats tie for the most in a single game in the MAC. Cea's 5.8 assists per game rank second in the conference and 18th nationally. The senior's 5.8 assists per game average, should it hold, would rank second on the program's single-season leaderboards, tying Cassie Schrock, who averaged 5.9 in the 2010-11 season. Schrock dished 220 assists that season. Cea has posted six or more dimes in six of her last 10 games. She recently totaled five at Miami, Jan. 14.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and fourth in America, averaging 36.6 minutes per game. Cea's 36.6 minutes per game are a career high and stand 7.8 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She recently played 38 minutes at Miami, Jan. 14.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded 10 games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, as she has done so in five of her last six games at Indiana, Dec. 14 (nine points, six assists, 10 rebounds), at Ball State, Dec. 20 (eight points, five assists, three rebounds), versus Bowling Green (10 points, six assists, seven rebounds), Dec. 30, at Ohio (seven points, five rebounds, 12 assists), and most recently at Miami, Jan. 14 (10 points, eight rebounds, five assists). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.9 points, 5.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. She is shooting 50.6% from the field (39-for-77) and 47.4% (9-for-19) from three-point range.

PELKA FROM DOWNTOWN
Freshman Oliwia Pelka is shooting 35.9% from the three-point line, ranking 14th 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 Kent State, Jan. 10.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Fernanda Ovalle needs 84 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 93 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 85 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She is seven 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 147 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 returns home to open up a stretch where it will play eight of its final 13 games at home, beginning with a game against the University of Toledo Tuesday, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Fans can purchase tickets here.

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.

Previously Noted
VS. KENT STATE, JAN. 10
Eastern fell at home to the Golden Flashes of Kent State, 78-65, Saturday, Jan. 10.
Eastern was trailing by four at the half (44-40), before Kent State outscored the Eagles 34-25 in the second half in a game that saw a total of 54 fouls called.
Believe Tshibangu had a strong performance for Eastern, grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds with seven points, as she was 3-for-3 from the field. Brooklyn Thrash added 11 points with eight rebounds, while Peyton Hill scored 12 points and dished two assists. Fernanda Ovalle also contributed, scoring 11 points of her own.

TSHIBANGU FIRST START VS. KENT STATE
Freshman Believe Tshibangu played well in her first collegiate start against Kent State, Jan. 10, grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds, with seven points off 3-for-3 shooting from the field in 25 minutes, the most in her career. The performance was her first with more than 10 rebounds in a game this season. She is the sixth Eagle this season to secure 10+ rebounds in a game in 2025-26.

MORE ON TSHIBANGU'S 12 REBOUNDS
Believe Tshibangu's career-high 12 rebounds are the second-highest total from a MAC freshman in a single game this season. They're also the most from an EMU freshman since Lachelle Austin pulled down 13 at Western Michigan, March 2, 2022.

PELKA'S SECOND DOUBLE-DIGIT GAME
Freshman Oliwia Pelka notched the second double-digit scoring game of her career with 10 points off 4-for-7 shooting from the field and a 2-for-5 clip from beyond the arc against Kent State, Jan. 10. She is shooting 35.9% from the three-point line this season, the third-best mark from a MAC freshman.

74+ POINTS IN FIVE-OF-SEVEN GAMES
Eastern scored 74+ points five-of-seven games, Dec. 5-Jan. 7, scoring 96 points against Defiance, Dec. 5, 74 points versus Duquesne, Dec. 9, and at Ball State, Dec. 20, before putting up 86 versus Bowling Green, Dec. 30, and 87 at Ohio, Jan. 7. The occurrence is EMU's first time with 74+ points in five-of-seven games since Jan. 15-Feb. 5 in the 2019-20 season.

AT OHIO, JAN. 7
Eastern dropped a high-scoring Mid-American Conference affair on the road at Ohio, 96-87, Jan. 7, inside the Convocation Center.
Eastern held an 18-point advantage in the second quarter, before Ohio stormed back to take a 50-46 lead at halftime, eventually winning, 96-87.
Eastern had three players score 15+ points in the high-scoring affair, led by Fernanda Ovalle's 24 points, as she was aided by Brooklyn Thrash's career-high 22 points. Sisi Eleko scored 16 points.
Ainhoa Cea facilitated the offense efficiently, dishing a career high and MAC single-game high 12 assists, while scoring seven points, grabbing five rebounds, and adding four steals on the defensive end.

HIGHEST SCORING MAC GAME SINCE 2018
Eastern's 87 points at Ohio, Jan. 7, are its most in a MAC contest since it scored 92 in an overtime loss to Buffalo, Jan. 27, 2018. Its the most points in regulation in a MAC contest since EMU bested Central Michigan, 93-86, March 7 2015. The performance marked EMU's first time scoring 80+ points in a conference contest since it recorded 83 in a victory at Central Michigan, Feb. 19, 2022. Moreover, the 87 points are the fourth-most by a MAC team in a league game this season.

AINHOA CEA MAC-BEST 12 ASSISTS AT OHIO
Ainhoa Cea dished a career-best 12 assists at Ohio, Jan. 7, marking the most by an individual in a single game in the MAC this season, and fifth-most in the country by value. Furthermore, her 12 assists are the most from an Eagle this season and most since Desyree Thomas dished 13 in a 77-66 win over Miami, Feb. 4, 2012. The total is the third-highest in EMU history.

THRASH'S CAREER DAY AT OHIO
Brooklyn Thrash scored a career-high 22 points, shooting 50% from the field (8-for-18), and 4-for-9 from three-point range. The game was her first over 20 points in her career as her eight field goals made, four three-point field goals, and nine triple attempts all serve as career highs for the senior.

PEYTON HILL CAREER HIGH 7 ASSISTS AT OHIO
Peyton Hill had a career-best seven assists at Ohio, Jan. 7. The game was her fifth of the season with at least three dimes, and her first since recording four in the MAC opener at Ball State, Dec. 20.

CONSISTENT STARTING FIVE
Eastern started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, and Peyton Hill the first 13 games this season. EMU was previously 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.

VS. BOWLING GREEN, DEC.30
Eastern topped Bowling Green, 86-76, as the Eagles saw a trio of 20-point performances from Fernanda Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22 points), and Sisi Eleko (20 points), Dec. 30.

The win marked the first home Mid-American Conference win in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present).

Ovalle added 10 rebounds for the second double-double performance of her career and first as an Eagle. Eleko grabbed six boards, as both she and Hill converted on 10 free throws in a game where a total of 81 free throws were shot.

Other notable performances included a 10-point, six-assist, and seven-rebound showing from Ainhoa Cea while Brooklyn Thrash grabbed a season-high nine rebounds.

The free throws proved to be the difference maker as Eastern made 10 more foul shots than BGSU (37-27), the same margin as the final score (86-76). Eastern's litany (24) of free throws in the fourth quarter propelled it to setting program records in both free throws made (37) and free throws attempted (48).

HISTORIC DAY AT THE LINE
Eastern set program and George Gervin GameAbove Center records with 37 free throws made and 48 attempted against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. EMU broke records that were held for 15 and 14 years, respectively. The previous record for made free throws was 34 against Toledo, March 2, 2010, while the prior record for free throws attempted was 48 at UIC, Dec. 23, 2011. Additionally, both figures stand as the most in the MAC and second-most in the nation.

Four Eagles set career highs in free throws made and attempted, including Sisi Eleko (10-for-12), Peyton Hill (10-for-14), Fernanda Ovalle (8-for-9), and Ainhoa Cea (6-for-7). Hill's 14 free-throw attempts are the most in a single game in the MAC.

WINNING AFTER TRAILING AT HALF
Eastern beat Bowling Green, 86-76, Dec. 30, despite trailing by two (39-37) at halftime. The win marks the first of the season after trailing at the half, and the fourth time a Nusseibeh-led EMU team has done so. EMU overcame halftime deficits in both its wins last season, erasing a 20-point (45-25) hole to beat Xavier, 72-60, Dec. 1, 2024. Eastern later overcame a six-point disadvantage at NIU, Feb. 22, 2025, besting the Huskies, 76-72.

WINNING CONFERENCE HOME OPENER
The 86-76 win against the Falcons, Dec. 30, was the first time EMU won its conference home opener since it topped Miami, 68-67, Jan. 4, 2023, behind a pair of double-doubles from Lachelle Austin (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Ce'Nara Skanes (14 points, 12 rebounds). It also marked the first home Mid-American Conference victory under Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh.

74+ POINTS IN CONSECUTIVE MAC GAMES
After scoring 74 points in a 78-74 loss at Ball State, Dec. 20, and 86 points in a 86-76 win over Bowling Green, Dec. 30, Eastern has scored 74+ points in consecutive MAC games for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign. EMU put up 77 points, beating Toledo on the road, 77-62, Jan. 29, before dropping 81 points in a high-scoring 88-81 loss at Akron, Feb. 1.

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 was 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.

AT BALL STATE, DEC. 20
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 at Ball State, Dec. 20, 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 were 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.

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.

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 third in the MAC by value this season. EMU had five players make multiple three-point baskets.

ELEKO MAC POTW, DEC. 2
Sisi Eleko was named MAC player of the week, Dec. 2, after averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 53.6% from the field, leading the Eagles to wins over Robert Morris, who was receiving votes in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll, and Detroit Mercy.

Eleko's 19 points per game was the second-highest average that week while her 53.6 field-goal clip (15-for-28) stood fifth, although she had at least 15 more attempts than the four individuals above her. Eleko shot 87.5% from the free-throw line (7-for-8), a figure that stood fourth in the conference while she checked in at fifth in rebounds per game (11.0).

Eleko started the week with a bang, securing her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 23 points with 14 rebounds against the Colonials, both of which were the second most in a single game in the conference that week, while her 23 points were the most in a double-double performance. She followed the performance by scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds in a win over UDM.

The honor marked the first of the season for the Eagles and the second of Eleko's EMU career. She earned the accolade last season after averaging 27 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, leading EMU to its first win in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era, a 72-60 comeback victory over Xavier, Dec. 1, 2024.

AT INDIANA, DEC. 14
The Eagles gave Indiana all it could handle as they dropped a tight 74-67 contest inside Assembly Hall Sunday afternoon, on Dec. 14. Eastern fought wire-to-wire as it entered the fourth quarter tied at 52 apiece and led the Hoosiers at one point in the second quarter.

The Eagles were paced by a gritty showing from Sisi Eleko, who notched her seventh double-double of the year with 15 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. Fernanda Ovalle scored a season-high 16 points while Brooklyn Thrash and Peyton Hill aided with 11 and 12 points, respectively. Ainhoa Cea stuffed the stat sheet, grabbing a season-high 10 rebounds with six assists and five points.

» Eastern outrebounded its opponent (39-31) for the eighth time this season. Eastern also had more second-chance points (8-6), bench points (8-6), and fast-break points (23-14) than the Hoosiers.
» EMU's 67 points are the most against a power-conference foe since the Eagles notched 81 in an 85-81 loss to TCU in the Postseason NIT, March 19, 2016, and the most against a Big Ten Conference member since Eastern fell to Michigan, 89-75, Dec. 11, 2013.
» Eastern has outrebounded both of its power-conference opponents this season as it grabbed 39 boards to IU's 31, after outrebounding Michigan State, 31-30, Nov. 9.

PLAYING THEM CLOSE: GAME AT INDIANA
Eastern dropped a 74-67 game at Indiana, Dec. 14. The seven-point margin of defeat is its slimmest against a power-conference and Big Ten Conference opponent since it lost a road contest at Illinois by six points, 72-66, Dec. 1, 2018.

ELEKO EMU HIGH 18 REBOUNDS AT INDIANA
Sisi Eleko grabbed 18 rebounds at Indiana, the second-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.

TWO PLAYERS WITH 10+ REBOUNDS
Both Sisi Eleko (18) and Ainhoa Cea (10) had double-digit rebounds in the game at Indiana, Dec. 14. The occasion marked the first time this season EMU has had two players grab 10 or more boards, and first since Eleko and Elena Cabello did so last season, grabbing 15 and 10 rebounds, respectively, against Western Michigan in the MAC opener, Jan. 1, 2025.

CEA 10+ BOARDS AS A GUARD
Ainhoa Cea grabbed 10 rebounds against Indiana, Dec. 14, marking her first time doing so as an Eagle and fourth time in her NCAA tenure. Cea's 10 boards are the second-most from a MAC guard in a single game this season. She last grabbed 10 or more boards as a member of Lipscomb in a triple-double performance at Morehead State, Nov. 17, 2024, grabbing 11 rebounds to go with 15 points, and 10 assists. Cea's 10 rebounds against the Hoosiers are the most from an EMU player 5-foot-6 or shorter since Juanita Agosto also grabbed 10 against Western Michigan, Jan, 19, 2022.

BACK-TO-BACK GAMES WITH 74 PLUS POINTS
Eastern scored 74+ points in consecutive games with 96 points against Defiance, Dec. 5, and 74 points versus Duquesne, Dec. 9. The occurrence marked the first time Eastern has scored 74+ in consecutive games since the 2021-22 season when EMU scored 76 points in a win over Detroit Mercy, Nov. 13, before setting the program record with 133 points against Grace Christian, Nov. 18.

DOMINATION VS. DEFIANCE
Eastern set season-highs nearly across the board in the 96-44 win over Defiance, Dec. 5. It did so in points (96), steals (18), blocks (7), assists (25), rebounds (55), three-point field goals (9), and total field goals (35). The 96 points, 18 steals, and 35 field goals are EMU's most in the Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and most since it set the single game program record with 133 points, 54 field goals (second in program history), and 26 steals (third in program history) in a rout against Grace Christian, Nov. 18, 2021. Furthermore, all stats listed besides three-point field goals are the most under Nusseibeh in a single game, while EMU's 55 rebounds are the most since it grabbed 57 in a 64-46 win over Akron, Jan. 16, 2021.

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.

PELKA/TSHIBANGU VS. DEFIANCE
The freshman duo of Oliwia Pelka and Believe Tshibangu had strong performances in the 96-44 win over Defiance, Dec. 5. Pelka dropped a career-best 15 points, her first double-digit scoring performance while making three or more three-point field goals for the second time this season as she shot 3-for-8 (37.5%) from behind the arc and 5-for-11 from the field (45.5%). Tshibangu tied a career high with nine rebounds as she was just one rebound away from a double-double with 11 points off 5-for-9 (55.5%) shooting.

SEASON/CAREER HIGHS VS. DEFIANCE
Multiple Eagles set/tied career/season highs in the 96-44 win over Defiance, Dec. 5.

Alli Zajac set career highs nearly across the board with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, one steal, and 18 minutes. Fernanda Ovalle set a career high with five assists while matching a career best with three blocks, and tying a season high with six rebounds. Ainhoa Cea grabbed four steals for the second time this season, and Oliwia Pelka secured a career-high 15 points, marking her second contest with three or more three-point field goals made, the most in her collegiate tenure. She also played a career-best 16 minutes. Believe Tshibangu matched a career-high with nine boards. Paula Balada set career-highs in minutes (16), steals (three), and blocks (one), while tying career bests in points (six), and three-point field goals made (two). Sarah Rekowski had season bests with 12 minutes and two rebounds.

EMU DEBUTS VS. DEFIANCE
Marisa Cribari and Eirini Chatzinikoli made their EMU debuts in the 96-44 win against Defiance, Dec. 5. Cribari scored two points and grabbed one rebound in three minutes played while Chatzinikoli secured one rebound in two minutes of court time.

RETURNING FROM THE ROAD
The game against Purdue Fort Wayne, Nov. 19, completed a five-game road trip for the Eagles, its longest streak of consecutive road games since it played six straight in the 2023-24 campaign, Nov. 24-Dec. 13. The road trip marked EMU's first time opening the season with five straight road games since the 1996-97 season. 2025-26 also marks the first time the Eagles have played six of their first seven on the road since the 1996-97 campaign.

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.

DOMINATING PERFORMANCE: WIN AT CANISIUS
Eastern dominated Canisius, 70-39, for its first win of the 2025-26 season, Nov. 7. Eastern didn't allow a field goal in the first quarter as it led 22-2 after one, and held Canisius without a field goal for the first 15:30 of game time as the Golden Griffins cashed in from the field for the first time with 4:30 to go in the first half.

» Eastern held Canisius without a field goal in the first quarter, marking the first time EMU has done so since 2015 The game also marked the first time EMU held its foe without a field goal for 10+ minutes since 2018.
» EMU never trailed in the game as its largest lead came with 3:55 to go in the game, a 37-point advantage (62-25).
» Eastern's 31-point margin of victory is its largest in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era and biggest since it set the program record with 133 points against Grace Christian, winning by a robust 88 points, Nov. 18, 2021.

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.

BELIEVE'S BIG DEBUT
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.

BK OVER 500
Brooklyn Thrash eclipsed the 500-point milestone with her 12 points at Canisius, Nov. 7. Thrash now totals 516 points in her NCAA career. Thrash has scored 10+ points in two of the first three games of the season with her best performance coming against the Golden Griffins, Nov. 7. She scored 12 points off 50% shooting, including 40% from three-point range (2-for-5), and 100% from the free-throw line (2-for-2). Thrash added four rebounds and two steals.

EMU DEBUTS
Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Peyton Hill, Alli Zajac, Artemis Kouki, Oliwia Pelka, and Sarah Rekowksi each made their respective EMU debuts in the season opener against Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3.

ELEKO'S 2024-25 NATIONAL RANKINGS
On the national level, Sisi Eleko finished the 2024-25 regular season ranked 21st in the NCAA in defensive rebounds per game (7.3), 23rd in rebounds per game (10.1), 26th in double-doubles (14), 36th in points per game by value (17.9), and 45th in total rebounds (283).

ELEKO ON THE PROGRAM LEADERBOARDS
Sisi Eleko finished her first season in Ypsilanti with 500 points and 283 rebounds, both of which held historical significance. Her 500 points made her just the 13th player in program history to score 500+ points in a season while making her the fifth to do so in her junior campaign. Additionally, the 283 rebounds ranked third on the program's single-season list with only Felicia Hines (1984-85) and Suzanne Huff (1980-81) posting more with 292 and 286, respectively. Her season averages of 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds made her just the third player to average a double-double in a season for the Eagles. The first was Hines, who averaged 12.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game in the 1984-85 season, with the most recent addition to the ledger coming in 2020-21 when Ce'Nara Skanes averaged 16.0 points and 10.9 rebounds.

SHORT HISTORY ON NUSSEIBEH
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is entering her second year at the helm of the program. Nusseibeh came to Ypsilanti following three years as the head coach at Canisius. A rising coaching star while in the MAAC, Nusseibeh is no stranger to the MAC as she previously served as an assistant coach at Miami (2019-21) and Bowling Green (2013-16). A 2009 graduate of American, Nusseibeh got her start as a graduate assistant at Cincinnati (2009-11) before coaching stints at Holy Cross (2011-13), and Manhattan (2016-19), where she was tabbed as the associate head coach.

With a record of 32-60 with the Golden Griffins, Nusseibeh built a team that went from six wins her first year to 17 in her third and did so by bringing in strong talent. Both Athina Lexa (2021-22) and Sisi Eleko (2022-23) were unanimous selections to the All-MAAC Rookie Teams before Lexa was named the 2023-24 MAAC Sixth Player of the Year and Eleko was the lone unanimous All-MAAC First Team selection.

A WHOLE NEW SQUAD
Eastern welcomes 13 newcomers to the 2025-26 class, including nine first-year NCAA student-athletes and four NCAA transfers. The newcomers include:

Graduate Student
Artemis Kouki (Western Michigan 2021-25)

Senior
Ainhoa Cea (Lipscomb 2022-25)

Juniors
Fernanda Ovalle (Xavier 2022-23)
Eirini Chatzinikoli
Ruby Brannon

Sophomores
Sarah Rekowski (Western Michigan 2024-25)
Marisa Cribari

Freshmen
Adrena Gordon
Peyton Hill
Paula Balada
Believe Tshibangu
Oliwia Pelka
Alli Zajac

A MELTING POT OF EAGLES
Eastern features nine international student-athletes on its 2024-25 roster, tying for the fourth-most in the nation. The international student-athletes include:

Ruby Brannon (Woonona, NSW, Australia)
Eirini Chatzinikoli (Athens, Greece)
Fernanda Ovalle (Santiago, Chile)
Ainhoa Cea (Irun, Spain)
Artemis Kouki (Athens, Greece)
Oliwia Pelka (Sosnowiec, Poland)
Sisi Eleko (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Believe Tshibangu (Courtice, Ontario, Canada)
Paula Balada (Barcelona, Spain)

NOTABLE RETURNER: BROOKLYN THRASH
Senior Brooklyn Thrash is one of two Eagles returning to the squad from the 2024-25 season. Thrash started 28-of-29 games for the Green and White while averaging 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, and shot 38.7% from the field, 32.4% from three, and 74.6% from the free-throw line. Thrash's best performance last season came in an overtime loss to Miami, Feb. 26, as she tied a career best with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and set a career best with four three pointers made. The output marked her third career double-double and first as an Eagle.

NOTABLE NEWCOMER: AINHOA CEA
One of EMU's 13 newcomers is former Lipscomb standout Ainhoa Cea. Cea started all 92 games she played over three seasons with the Bisons, averaging 23.9 minutes, 4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while tallying 360 assists, the second-most in LU history, and ranking 11th in steals with 105. Cea led the ASUN in assists last season with 4.6, ranked second in assists-to-turnover ratio (1.6), and fourth in steals per game (1.6). She cemented herself in Lipscomb history, becoming the first Bisons player in their NCAA Division I era (since 2003-04) to post a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win at Morehead State, Nov. 17, becoming one of 28 NCAA student-athletes to record at least one triple-double last season. She also scored a career-high 25 points against Eastern Kentucky (Jan. 4, 2025) on 9-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-6 from three. Cea also brings three years of postseason experience with her to Ypsilanti as her Bison made the ASUN tournament all three of her seasons and made a trip to the WNIT First Round against Western Illinois last season.

NOTABLE NEWCOMER: FERNANDA OVALLE
Joining the Eagles this season is former BIG EAST All-Freshmen selection Fernanda Ovalle. Ovalle spent the 2022-23 season as a Xavier Musketeer before taking a two-year hiatus away from NCAA ball. That season, she averaged 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while shooting 42.5% from the field and 34% from three-point range. The Santiago, Chile, native led all BIG EAST freshmen in rebounding (4.4) while ranking second in scoring (8.5). She also ranked second in total blocks (10), third in total assists (47), fourth in total steals (19), and fifth in field-goal percentage (.429).

FIBA FERNANDA
Eastern newcomer Fernanda Ovalle plays a pivotal role on Chile's U23 FIBA squads and has a plethora of international experience. Ovalle most recently competed in the FIBA U23 3x3 World Cup in Xionang, China, where she grabbed 10 points in 10 minutes to lead Chile to a win over the Philippines, Sept. 18. The junior also led Team Chile to a victory at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League Americas 2 - Stop 6, July 27, 2025, also winning the first stop of the tournament, July 21. Overall, Ovalle saw action in 33 total FIBA 3x3 competitions from 2023-25, earning five first-place finishes and 12 top-three finishes.

Additionally, Ovalle was a member of the Chilean U15 South American Women's Championship Team in 2018 where she averaged a double-double with 17.6 points per game and 10.2 rebounds, earning MVP honors. She also led Team Chile to third place in the 2019 FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship, where she again averaged a double-double, posting 17.8 points per game and 13 rebounds per game.

TRAILBLAZER: FERNANDA OVALLE
Fernanda Ovalle became the first Chilean-born NCAA Division I player with her debut at Miami, Nov. 7, 2022. Ovalle is one of two current Chilean-born NCAA women's basketball student-athletes; the other is Valentina Ojeda of Rhode Island. Ovalle and Ojeda played high school ball together at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla., and have also competed in a multitude of international competitions together for Team Chile.

RIVAL TRANSFERS: KOUKI AND REKOWSKI
Two of Eastern's transfers - Artemis Kouki and Sarah Rekowski - come by way of EMU rival, Western Michigan.

Kouki spent her first four seasons in Kalamazoo, earning captain status in the 2024-25 campaign. Last season, Kouki averaged 3.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.6 steals per game for the Broncos. She scored a career-high 15 points at SMU (Nov. 12, 2024) with five made triples and opened the season with 11 points and a career-high five rebounds against Arkansas State (Nov. 4). Kouki also earned Academic All-MAC and CSC Academic All-District honors.

Rekowski spent her freshman season at WMU where she appeared in 18 games with one start. She scored two points in her debut against Arkansas State (Nov. 4), and scored a career-high eight points against Prairie View A&M (Dec. 17) on perfect 4-of-4 shooting from the floor before tying her mark at EMU (Jan. 1) with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. She also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds against (Nov. 12) and finished the year with averages of 1.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 0.1 blocks.

STAR-STUDDED FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Headlining the EMU freshmen class is Peyton Hill, a graduate of Incarnate Word Academy in Normandy, Mo. The program has won 15 state titles, including five consecutive, as Hill was a member of the past four Missouri Class 6 state titles (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025). Hill was named the defensive player of the year as a senior as she added three player of the week honors during her senior season. Hill was twice named first-team all-tournament at the state competitions and twice at the district level. Hill also played for Napheesa Collier Elite under head coach Jordan Olufson and led it to the Run 4 Roses Gold Championship title three times as she was named to the all-tournament team. Hill lost just two games in her high school days, compiling a 119-2 mark.

AN EMU LEGACY: ALLI ZAJAC
Eastern freshman Alli Zajac has deep ties to the EMU basketball program as her parents, Jon and Kristy Zajac, both played basketball at Eastern Michigan. Her mom, the former Kristy Maska, ranks No. 18 all-time in EMU scoring (1,228 points) and No. 2 in made three-pointers (215) and earned All-MAC Second Team honors in 1998-99.

Zajac graduated from Tecumseh High School and played under head coach Kristy Zajac, her mother. She finished her prep career as the school's all-time leading scorer while also holding records for made field goals, made three-point field goals, made free throws, points in a single season, points per game average, and free throws made. A top five finisher in the Ms. Michigan voting, she earned first-team honors at the state, county, and league level in all four years and was the county's player of the year three times. Zajac was also named to the Dream Team, BCAM's Best of the Best, and the Michigan Division 2 Player of the Year. She helped the team to two regional titles, three district championships, and two league crowns on the hardwood before guiding the team to the 2025 state title.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: FIBA
Eastern's Sisi Eleko, Fernanda Ovalle, and Oliwia Pelka all competed for their respective native countries in FIBA competitions recently. Eleko and Ovalle represented teams Canada and Chile, respectively, at the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League in Punta Arenas, Chile, as Ovalle led Team Chile to two victories on the first and final day of competition, before dropping 10 points in 10 minutes to lead Chile to a win over the Philippines at the FIBA U23 3x3 World Cup in Xionang, China in September. Pelka represented Poland at the FIBA U20 Eurobasket in Matosinhos, Portugal.

ON THE LIST
Eastern is scheduled to face the AP top-25 (No. 23) Michigan State Spartans in the third game of the season in East Lansing, Nov. 9. Along with MSU, EMU will face another Big Ten foe in Indiana, Dec. 14, who is receiving votes in the USA Today/WBCA Preseason poll. When it comes to mid-major rankings, EMU will take on the 10th and 11th-ranked teams in MAC opponents Kent State and Ball State, respectively, while Toledo, Buffalo, Bowling Green, Purdue Fort Wayne, Miami, and Robert Morris are all receiving votes in the College Insider Mid-Major Preseason Top 25.

A LOOK AHEAD
Eastern is set for 29 regular-season games in 2025-26, 16 of which will be on the road and 13 that will be played at the home of EMU women's basketball - the George Gervin GameAbove Center. EMU will play 11 non-conference games and 18 MAC contests. EMU's first five games will take place on the road before returning home for the home opener against Robert Morris, Nov. 26.

EMU will face teams from six different NCAA Division I conferences - the Sun Belt Conference, Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference, Summit League, Horizon League, Big Ten Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference, and one NAIA team (Defiance College).

GRITTY WINS
Eastern found a way to win in both wins in the 2024-25 season despite trailing by double figures as Eastern, who was down 10 at the end of the third quarter, came back to win, 76-72, at Northern Illinois (Feb. 22), after defeating visiting Xavier, 72-60, despite a 20-point halftime deficit, Dec. 1.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Mid-American Conference announced its Coaches Preseason Poll, Oct. 21. As a team, Eastern was predicted to finish 12th in the conference with 36 points. Kent State is predicted to win the regular season and conference tournament, placing first with 133 points and five first-place votes.

ELEKO SURPASSES 1,000 POINTS
With 2:32 remaining in the game at Ball State, Jan. 8, 2025, Sisi Eleko got free near the rim and scored on a layup to give her 11 points in the game to see her break the 1,000-career point barrier. Eleko finished the game with 14 points to become the first Eagle to reach the scoring milestone since Ce'Nara Skanes scored 1,031 points for the Eagles from 2020-23.

OUR POSITIONS
Eastern's positions are atypical as they are named after successful WNBA players.

Sloot - 1 (Point Guard)
Wiese - 2 (Shooting Guard)
Young - 3 (Small Forward)
Meese - 4 (Power Forward)
Fowles - 5 (Center)

The point guard position is named after Courtney Vandersloot, the shooting guard is modeled after Sydney Wiese, while the small forward position resembles Jackie Young, the power forward Emma Meesseman, and the center Sylvia Fowles.

EMU CAPTAINS
Eastern's Brooklyn Thrash, Ainhoa Cea, and Artemis Kouki were named captains ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Women's Basketball Readies for Rivalry Game at Central Michigan Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Mackenzie Amalia

Paula Balada

Chelsea Bishop

Ruby Brannon

Elena Cabello

Ainhoa Cea

Eirini Chatzinikoli

Marisa Cribari

Sisi Eleko

Adrena Gordon

Peyton Hill

Artemis Kouki

Kyndal Lewis

Athina Lexa

Fernanda Ovalle

Oliwia Pelka

Sarah Rekowski

Olivia Smith

Brooklyn Thrash

Believe Tshibangu

Olivia Westphal

Alli Zajac

Eastern Michigan Athletics