Women's Basketball Seeks Second Consecutive MAC Win, Faces NIU in Huskies' Final MAC Ypsilanti Visit

Women's Basketball vs. Northern Illinois
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Jan. 24 \| 1 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Tickets	Purchase Here
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Radio	89.1 FM (WEMU) \| The Varsity Network
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team seeks its second consecutive Mid-American Conference win as Northern Illinois University visits Ypsilanti for the last time as a MAC institution Saturday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, in Eastern's third doubleheader day of the season, as the EMU men will face Kent State University following the women's game.

Fans can purchase tickets here and stream the game live on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley, Reggie Butler, and Elena Davis on the call, while Tom Helmer will call the action courtside on 89.1 FM (WEMU), and The Varsity Network app. 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 8-9 (2-5 MAC).
» Eastern has quadrupled its number of wins from the 2024-25 season (two) as it currently totals eight.
» Ainhoa Cea is one of five players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game as she is posting 7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per contest.
» Eastern Michigan and NIU are meeting for the 66th time overall and 32nd time in Ypsilanti. The Eagles are 41-24 when facing the Huskies and 21-10 when playing them at home.
» Eastern split the series with NIU last season, losing the first game at home, 78-70, Jan. 22, before topping the Huskies on the road in DeKalb, 76-72, Feb. 22.
»The Eagles are seeking consecutive victories against the Huskies for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
» Fernanda Ovalle has excelled in nine of her last 10 games, averaging 17.0 points off 45.7% shooting from the field. 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 bested Toledo, 76-71, in Ypsilanti, Jan. 20, improving to 5-1 at home and snapping a four-game losing streak. Peyton Hill had career highs with 25 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
» 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.

LOOKING FOR BACK-TO-BACK MAC WINS
After the win over Toledo, Jan. 20, Eastern is looking to win consecutive conference games for the first time since it beat Ohio in the final game of the 2022-23 season, 74-64, March 4, and topped NIU in the first league game of the 2023-24 campaign, 67-49, Jan. 3, 2024. A win over the Huskies would mark the first time winning consecutive MAC games in the same season since the 2022-23 season, when Eastern beat NIU in overtime, 66-61, Jan. 21, followed by a 63-51 win at Western Michigan, Jan. 25.

DOUBLE HEADER IN YPSI
The Eagles' game against the Huskies is just the first of the day inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the EMU men's team faces Kent State shortly after the conclusion of the women's contest. The day marks the third doubleheader for the EMU basketball programs. The Eastern programs are a combined 4-0 this season when hosting a doubleheader.

FOR ONE LAST TIME
Saturday's game against the Huskies marks the final regular season appearance in Ypsilanti as a MAC member for NIU, as it will depart for the Horizon League after the 2025-26 season. The Huskies' first time in Ypsilanti was Jan. 19, 1983, a game that they won, 68-56.

ALL-TIME VS. NIU
Eastern Michigan and NIU will meet for the 66th time overall and 32nd time in Ypsilanti dating back to the series' first meeting, a 76-69 road win for EMU, Nov. 24, 1981. Eastern is 41-24 when facing the Huskies and 21-10 when playing them at home. The Eagles are 4-6 against NIU in the last 10 matchups as they are seeking consecutive victories against the Huskies for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.

LOOKING FOR HOME WIN AGAINST NIU
Eastern is aiming for its first home win against the Huskies since Jan. 21, 2023, a 66-61 overtime thriller. The Eagles had three players score in double figures, led by sophomore Lachelle Austin, who had a career-high 23 points and six rebounds. Ce'Nara Skanes added 17 points, eight rebounds, and five steals while Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu helped with 11 points.

STREAKS AGAINST NIU
Eastern previously won eight straight games against NIU from 1985-2000 before rattling off nine consecutive wins from 2008-13.

LAST SEASON AGAINST NIU
Eastern dropped a 78-70 decision at home against the Huskies, Jan. 22, 2025, before earning their first conference win of the season on the road in DeKalb, erasing a 10-point deficit to beat NIU, 76-72, Feb. 22. Four players scored in double figures for the Eagles as they snapped an 18-game losing streak to earn the first road win and MAC win of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present).

COACHING TIES
Eastern Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh and NIU Head Coach Jacey Brooks previously crossed paths as assistants at Bowling Green from 2013-16. In that time, Nusseibeh helped lead the Falcons to a 2013-14 Mid-American Conference regular-season crown after the team went 30-5 overall and 17-1 in league play. She recruited and coached five All-MAC honorees, including an All-America selection, and played a key role in helping Bowling Green earn three-straight WBCA Top-25 Team Academic Awards. Overall, the Falcons went 49-44 in the time Nusseibeh and Brooks were there. Both coaches also spent time at Canisius as Nusseibeh was the Golden Griffins' head coach from 2021-23, while Brooks was an assistant there from 2010-13. Additionally, NIU Assistant Coach E.C. Hill was the head coach at Montverde Academy (Fla.), in the 2018-19 season, coaching current Eagle Fernanda Ovalle. In their one-season overlap, the team earned its highest ranking in the USA Today poll at No.15 as it defeated three nationally ranked teams. Additionally, EMU assistant Emily Hays and NIU assistant Mark Schwitzgable previously coached together at Valparaiso in the 2021-22 season.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. TOLEDO, JAN. 17
Peyton Hill scored a career-high 25 points, lifting the Eagles to a 76-71 thrilling win over Toledo Tuesday, Jan. 20. The Eagles earned their first win over Toledo since 2021, led by a high-scoring fourth quarter in which EMU outscored the Rockets, 26-15. Aiding Hill in the victory was Sisi Eleko, who recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds, as EMU also got a strong outing from Fernanda Ovalle, who scored 20 points, highlighted by 50% shooting (3-for-6) from three-point range.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has nine double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and seventh nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in both points and rebounds per game, posting 17.6 points and 9.6 rebounds. Her 9.6 boards per game stand 34th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (7.6), checking in at No. 15 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in seven categories.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 23 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs eight more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. Toledo, Jan. 20.

NOTABLES VS. TOLEDO, JAN. 17
» Eastern turned the ball over just 12 times, the least amount this season.
» Eastern dominated the interior, scoring a season-high 46 points in the paint.
» Eastern's 55.0% (28-for-51) rate from the field is its best in the Nusseibeh era (2024-present).
» Eastern shot 45.0% or better from the field for the fifth time this season, improving to 3-2 when doing so.
» Sisi Eleko, Peyton Hill, and Fernanda Ovalle combined for 24 points in the fourth quarter, accounting for 92.3% (24-of-26) of the Eagles' points in the quarter.
» Fernanda Ovalle recorded her 10th double-digit scoring game of the season with 20 points. She has scored at least 10 points in nine of her last 11 games for the first time in her career, as the 20-point outing was her fourth of the season and fifth of her career.
»EMU won for the first time this season and second time under Nusseibeh when its opponent shoots 45.0% or better from the field, as Toledo shot 52.8% (28-for-53).

HILL WAS HOOPIN'
Freshman Peyton Hill scored a career-high 25 points in the 76-71 win over Toledo, Jan. 20, while adding career bests with eight rebounds and three steals. Hill reached her career high in points efficiently, shooting 61.5% (8-for-13) from the field.
» Peyton Hill's 25 points are the most from a MAC freshman in a single game this season.
» Peyton Hill's 25 points are the most from an EMU freshman in a single game since Jenna Annecchiarico scored 26 in an 81-74 win over Bowling Green, Jan. 23, 2019.

PEYTON HILL: THREE 20-POINT GAMES
Peyton Hill's trio of 20-point games are the most from a MAC freshman this season and the most from an EMU freshman since Courtnie Lewis reached the mark six times in the 2017-18 campaign. Lewis earned All-MAC Third Team honors that season and was named to the all-freshman team as well. Hill most recently accomplished the feat with her career high 25-point outing in the 76-71 win over Toledo, Jan. 20.

FRESHMAN 10+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (13) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 in the 2017-18 season.

DOUBLE-DIGIT COMEBACK
EMU came back from down 13 points to beat the Rockets, 76-71, Jan. 20. The comeback win marks EMU's largest of the season, surpassing the seven-point hole at St. Thomas (MN), Nov. 14, where EMU came back to win, 52-41. The win over Toledo is the second-largest comeback win of the Nusseibeh tenure (2024-present). EMU erased a 21-point hole against Xavier last season, Dec. 1, 2024, coming back to win, 72-60, for the first win of the Nusseibeh era.

ANOTHER PAIR OF 20s
Peyton Hill (25 points) and Fernanda Ovalle (20) each posted 20+ points in the win over Toledo, Jan. 20, marking the fourth time this season EMU has seen multiple players with 20+ points, producing a 2-2 record in such games.

IMPROBABLE WIN
Despite Toledo's 52.8% (28-for-53) clip from the field, Jan. 20, EMU won, 76-71, marking the Eagles' first time winning when its opponent shoots better than 50% since it beat Harvard, 85-81, Dec. 8, 2015, after it shot 51.6% (32-for-62).

ECLIPSING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL
The win against the Rockets, Jan. 20, marked the Eagles' second MAC win of the season, surpassing the one MAC victory they had last season seven games into the 2025-26 league slate.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage early in the season. The Eagles are 5-1 at home while outscoring opponents by 11.0 points per game. EMU averages 76.8 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 65.8. The defense has forced 18.5 opponent turnovers per game at home while committing 15.8. The rebounding margin sits at plus 5.0, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 10.4 rebounds per home contest and scores 20.2 points per game on 55.9% shooting.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 119 to 86 in first quarters and 222 to 177 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 39.8% overall in home games and 32.7% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 7.5 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions, and transition scoring chances.

HOME STRETCH IS HERE
Beginning with the game against Toledo, Jan. 20, Eastern will play eight of its final 13 games inside the friendly confines of the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where it holds a 5-1 mark this season.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 72 rebounds to reach 1,000 in her NCAA career and 63 to hit 500 as an Eagle, while requiring 219 points to reach 1,000 in Eastern Green and White. Should she meet the standards, Eleko would be the 25th player to score 1,000 points in their EMU career and the 23rd student-athlete to reach 500 rebounds. Furthermore, she needs seven double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, eight to tie for the most in program history, and 10 to be the sole record owner.

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 seven games as she is averaging 3.6 attempts per game while shooting 48.0% (12-for-25) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to sixth in the MAC in three-point shooting, as she is up to 40.8% (20-for-49) this season, the best clip from a MAC freshman. She recently made a career-best three triples at Miami, Jan. 14, and one against Toledo, Jan. 20.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per contest, making her one of five players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Of players on that list, she is the only one shooting 50.0% or better from the field, and one of two players shooting 40.0% or better from three-point range.

THE OFFENSE IS HUMMIN'
Eastern has thrived offensively in nine of its last 10 games (excluding game at CMU, Jan. 17), greatly improving upon multiple offensive statistics from the first seven games of the season.

EMU Nine of Last 10 Games (All per game averages)
Pts: 75.6, FG%: 46.8%, 3P FG%: 34.7%, Ast: 15.3, TO: 16.4

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 13.7 points per game increase, 3.4 jump in assists, and an 8.0% advancement in both three-point and field goal percentage, while turnovers have decreased by 2.7

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

Category          Rnk       Value
FG%     2nd       46.7% (230-for-493)
3P FG%              3rd        34.8% (63-for-181)
3P FG Per Game           5th        7.00
FT%      5th        70.6% (125-of-177)

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

Name Stat      Rnk       Value (All Per Game Avgs.)
A. Cea MPG     1st         37.94
A. Cea APG      2nd       5.89
S. Eleko              PPG      2nd       18.00
F. Ovalle             PPG      3rd        16.89
S. Eleko              RPG      3rd        8.75
B. Thrash          MPG     4th`     36.21
S. Eleko              FG%     5th        50.9% (59-for-116)
F. Ovalle             3P FG/GM         T5th      2.00
F. Ovalle             FG%     8th        44.4% (52-for-117)
P. Hill   FT%      8th        75.6% (34-for-45)
A. Cea SPG      8th        2.11

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 nine of her last 11 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 most recently scored 20 points with a trio of triples in the win over Toledo, Jan. 20. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points and rebounds per game average, along with her field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle 10 of Last 11 Games (All Per Game Averages)
Excluding game at Miami, Jan. 14.
17.0 PTS, 45.7 FG%, 3.3 REB, 2.3 AST, 0.9 STL, 31.2 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 an 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 8-9 (2-5 MAC) record currently stands as a six-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season. The six-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
Seven games into league action, Eastern ranks high in several categories.

Category          Rnk       Value
3-Point FG%: 3rd        37.0% (51-for-138)
FG%: 3rd        46.9% (180-for-134)
3P FGs Per Game:       4th        7.29
Points Per Game:        4th        72.43
FT%      4th        70.6% (96-for-136)
TO Margin         5th        +0.14
Assist/TO Ratio:           6th        0.84
Asst Per Game:             6th        14.00

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

Name Stat      Rnk       Value
S. Eleko              PPG      2nd       17.67
A. Cea APG      2nd       5.71
A. Cea MPG     3rd        37.83
F. Ovalle             PPG      3rd        17.43
B. Thrash          MPG     5th        35.43
F. Ovalle             3P FG/GM         T7th      2.00
P. Hill   3P FG%              8th        48.0% (12-for-25)
F. Ovalle             MPG     8th        34.63
S. Eleko              RPG      8th        6.83

BK CONSECUTIVE GAMES 11+ PTS/7+ BOARDS
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. Thrash scored eight points with four rebounds in the win over Toledo, Jan. 20. She was perfect on the night, going 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

THRASH SCORING/REBOUNDING CONSISTENCY
With Brooklyn Thrash's nine points and five rebounds at Central Michigan, Jan. 17, she posted at least nine points and five boards in 3-of-4 games for the first time in her career. She was also 2-for-4 from three-point range, marking her sixth game with multiple made triples this season and fourth time shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc.

3-STRAIGHT GAMES W/ 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 came back from down six points to start the fourth quarter, beating Toledo, 76-71. This is the third fourth-quarter comeback in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present), second of the 2025-26 season, and the largest since Eastern came back from a 10-point hole to win against NIU, 76-72, Feb. 22, 2025.

HOT AT HOME
Eastern is 5-1 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 5-1 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. Most recently, Eastern beat Toledo in Ypsilanti, 76-71, Jan. 20. EMU is looking for a 6-1 home start or better for the first time since 2018-19.

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 eight, quadruple the amount of wins it had in 2024-25. Three of Eastern's eight 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 quintupled its home win total from last season (one) as it won its fifth home game of the season against Toledo, Jan. 20. A win against the Huskies would sextuple the Eagles' 2024-25 home-win total (one) and triple their conference win sum (one).

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 75.3% (229-for-304) from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 51st in the country. Seventeen games in, EMU's 75.3% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 2.7% 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 seven of 17 games this season, and 70% or better in 11 games, 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 (81.9%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks sixth in the MAC, 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 69.2 points per game is scored by the starting five, as they have accounted for 84.1% (991-of-1,177) of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 81.1% (2,758-of-3,400) of the Eagles' total minutes. Moreover, EMU is the only MAC school to have three players rank inside the top-15 in points per game, and one of two to have four players rank inside the top 15 in minutes per game.

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 of its eight 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 eight wins and 31.3% or better in seven of EMU's nine losses. Eastern is also 7-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 12-of-17 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 +2.4 rebounding margin as opponents average 32.5 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 34.9 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in 12 of the last 16 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (9.6 rebounds per game, second in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.7 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.5 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Eleko secured her ninth double-digit rebounds performance of the season with 10 vs. Toledo, Jan. 20, while Peyton Hill went up for a career-best eight boards.

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 eight victories, EMU posts a +16.3 scoring margin and holds opponents to 56.5 points per game. The Eagles shoot 43.9% from the floor while limiting opponents to 36.1%. Rebounding stands out at plus 8.0 per game. EMU also records nearly six more assists than its opponents, 13.0 to 7.4.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 175 to 138 in fourth quarters. Free-throw efficiency is a factor: EMU shoots 80.0% at the line in wins and averages 17.5 made free throws per game. Peyton Hill averages 16.4 points per game in wins, shoots 50.0% from the field, pulls down four rebounds, and grabs 1.5 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 12.3 points per game.

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 16 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 17.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, both ranking second in the MAC, while averaging 32.6 minutes per game (10th in the MAC), and shooting 50.0% from the field (13th in the conference).

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 23 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 44 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 43 games to total 23 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 52.2% (23-of-44) of her games at EMU. Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO ELITE COMPANY
Ranking second in the MAC in both points (17.6) and rebounds (9.6) per game, Eleko is one of just 10 players nationally to rank top two in their respective conference in both points and rebounds per game.

ELEKO 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 13 of her first 17 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 17 games, Hill is averaging 13.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 81.9% from the free-throw line, 46.4% from the field, and 40.8% from three.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 13.5 points per game, 81.9% clip from the free throw line, and 40.8% rate from beyond the arc are all the best from a MAC freshman this season. Her 46.4% mark from the field ranks third among the league's rookies.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 81.9% from the line, the sixth-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the 10th-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 81.9% clip would stand 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 4.5 rebounds per game. Although eight other MAC guards averaged 4.5 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 eight 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 17 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 13 of her first 17 games, with her highest total being 12 at Ohio, Jan. 7. Cea's 12 assists against the Bobcats tie for the most in a single game in the MAC and are the fifth-most nationally by value. Cea's 5.7 assists per game rank second in the conference and 21st nationally. The senior's 5.7 assists per game average, should it hold, would rank fourth on the program's single-season leaderboards. The record is held by 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 seven of her last 12 games. She recently totaled six in the victory against Toledo, Jan. 20.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and fourth in America, averaging 36.9 minutes per game. Cea's 36.9 minutes per game are a career high and stand 8.1 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played all 40 minutes for the fourth time this season in the win against Toledo, Jan. 20.

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 eight 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 7.0 points, 5.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. She is shooting 50.0% from the field (43-for-86) and 42.9% (9-for-21) from three-point range.

PELKA FROM DOWNTOWN
Freshman Oliwia Pelka is shooting 35.7% (15-for-42) from the three-point line, ranking 12th in the MAC and fourth 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 1-for-2 (50%) from behind the arc against Central Michigan, Jan. 17.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Fernanda Ovalle needs 47 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 72 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 64 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She needs seven double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs eight total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and 10 to be the sole record owner. Ainhoa Cea needs 43 assists to hit 500 in her career and 50 rebounds to reach the same mark, while Brooklyn Thrash needs 25 triples to hit 100 in her NCAA career and 170 rebounds to total 500.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 149 consecutive games, the third-longest stretch since the start of the 1999-00 season. The longest streak in that period is 281 games, which began with seven makes at Northern Illinois, Jan. 31, 2002, and ended with no makes in the MAC Tournament, March 11, 2011, against Toledo. The second-longest lasted 157 games and started Dec. 9, 2014, and ended Nov. 29, 2020, against visiting UIC, when no makes halted the streak.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern hits the road to face Buffalo Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+.

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

Women's Basketball Seeks Second Consecutive MAC Win, Faces NIU in Huskies' Final MAC Ypsilanti Visit

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Oliwia Pelka

Brooklyn Thrash

Eastern Michigan Athletics