Women's Hoops Goes For Three Straight MAC Wins in Buffalo Wednesday Night

Women's Basketball at Buffalo
Dates/Times	Wednesday \| Jan. 28 \| 6 p.m.
Venue	Alumni Arena \| Buffalo, N.Y.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Sidearm Stats
Radio	89.1 FM (WEMU) \| The Varsity Network
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- In search of its third consecutive Mid-American Conference victory, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team travels east to Buffalo, N.Y., for a tilt against the Bulls of the University at Buffalo Wednesday, Jan. 28, inside Alumni Arena, at 6 p.m.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ and listen live on WEMU (89.1 FM), and The Varsity Network app, as Tom Helmer will call the action. 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 9-9 (3-5 MAC).
»    Eastern has more than quadrupled its number of wins from the 2024-25 season (two) as it currently totals nine. EMU has tripled its number of league wins as well.
»    With wins over Toledo, Jan. 20, and Northern Illinois, Jan. 24, EMU earned consecutive MAC victories for the first time under Nusseibeh and the 2022-23 season.
»    Eastern is looking for three consecutive MAC wins for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign.
»     Eastern most recently topped NIU, 72-62, Jan. 24, for its second consecutive MAC win. Sisi Eleko shined with a season-high 25 points and 15 rebounds while shooting a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.
»    Eastern and Buffalo are meeting for the 36th time and 18th in Buffalo. EMU trails in the series, 16-19, and holds a 7-10 mark when playing the Bulls on the road. EMU is looking for its first win over UB since Feb. 23, 2023, and its first road win against the Bulls since Feb. 16, 2016.
»    Eastern fell in both meetings against Buffalo last season, losing the first game, 77-55, Jan. 15, in Ypsilanti, before dropping a 71-54 decision in Western New York, March 1.
»    Ainhoa Cea is one of five players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game as she is posting 6.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per contest.
»    Fernanda Ovalle has excelled in 11 of her last 12 games, averaging 16.7 points off 45.8% 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 in the 2024-25 regular season where she led the MAC in double-doubles (14) and rebounds per game (10.1) while ranking second with 17.9 points per game.
»    EMU returns just Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash from the 2024-25 squad. It totals 13 newcomers, six of which came via the transfer portal.
»    EMU has nine international players, tying for the fourth-most in the nation and most in the MAC.

LOOKING FOR THREE STRAIGHT MAC WINS
After wins over Toledo, Jan. 20, and NIU, Jan. 24, Eastern has won consecutive MAC games for the first time since 2023. A win over Buffalo would mark the first time with three consecutive conference victories since the 2020-21 season, when it beat Miami, Jan. 13, Akron, Jan. 16, and Central Michigan, Jan. 20. Should the Eagles beat Buffalo, it would mark the first three-game MAC win streak under Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh.

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
The trip to Buffalo marks a return to the area for six members of the program who were at nearby Canisius in the 2023-24 season. Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh led the Golden Griffin program for three seasons (2021-24) with Shareese Ulis and Meg Cunningham working on her staff. Current Eagles Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash also played for the Golden Griffins from 2022-24, while Director of Operations/Assistant Coach Alexis Mesuch served as a student manager at CU. Nusseibeh was 32-60 in three seasons at Canisius as she helped resurrect a program that won a combined five games in the two seasons prior to her arrival to a 17-victory campaign in 2023-24. The Golden Griffins' 17 wins were the most since the 2008-09 season and it marked the school's first season with double-digit wins since 2018-19.

NUSSEIBEH VS. BUFFALO
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh has coached extensively against the Bulls as Wednesday's game will mark her sixth against UB, the most of any MAC opponent. Nusseibeh is 1-4 all-time against Buffalo, with the one win coming Nov. 7, 2022, an eight-point fourth-quarter comeback to beat her (at the time) crosstown rival, 57-55. The game saw Sisi Eleko score 10 points and grab six rebounds, while Brooklyn Thrash added five points and two boards.

ALL-TIME VS. UB
Eastern and Buffalo are meeting for the 36th time. EMU is 16-19 against the Bulls and 7-10 when playing them on the road. EMU is looking for its first win over UB since Feb. 23, 2023, and its first road win against the Bulls since Feb. 16, 2016. Buffalo has taken nine of the last ten meetings, including three straight. Eastern previously won nine consecutive games in the series from 2004-10, the longest winning streak for either team.

LAST SEASON AGAINST UB
Eastern fell in both meetings against Buffalo last season, losing the first game, 77-55, Jan. 15, in Ypsilanti, before dropping a 71-54 decision in Western New York, March 1. In the first game, Sisi Eleko recorded her ninth double-double of the season and joined three of her teammates in sinking multiple three-pointers, but the Bulls used a 12-0 third-quarter run to pull away. Olivia Smith led the way for the Eagles in the second game with a season-high 17 points that included a career-high five three-pointers.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. NIU, JAN. 24, W, 72-62
Eastern beat NIU at home, 72-62, Jan. 24, capturing its second consecutive Mid-American Conference victory. The win marked the first occurrence of consecutive MAC wins for the Eagles since 2023, and the first time with consecutive MAC wins in the same season since the 2022-23 campaign. Four Eagles scored in double figures, led by Sisi Eleko's 10th double-double of the season, scoring a season-best 25 points while grabbing 15 rebounds. Fernanda Ovalle aided, scoring 14 points off 6-for-13 shooting, with three rebounds. Peyton Hill scored 12 points and tied her career high with eight rebounds, and Brooklyn Thrash bucketed 10 points off 50% shooting (3-for-6), while securing 10 rebounds. Ainhoa Cea controlled the offense, dishing six assists while scoring eight points off a perfect 100% clip (4-for-4). She also grabbed two rebounds.

NOTABLES VS. NIU, JAN. 24, W, 72-62
» Eastern had four players (Sisi Eleko [25], Fernanda Ovalle [14], Peyton Hill [10], Brooklyn Thrash [10]) score 10+ points for the sixth time this season.
» EMU blocked six shots, its second-highest total of the season and most against an NCAA Division I foe. Eastern was led by Brooklyn Thrash, who tied a career high with three blocks, her most of the season in a single game.
» Both teams shot 48.0% from the floor as EMU made 26-of-52 field-goal attempts and NIU converted on 27-of-56. It's the first time this season that both EMU and its opponent had the same shooting percentage, marking the second time under Nusseibeh.
» Eastern Michigan never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» With the win over the Huskies, EMU has tripled its MAC win total from the 2024-25 season, as it has more than quadrupled its overall win total, currently holding nine wins compared to the two it had last campaign. The win against the Huskies also sextupled the Eagles' 2024-25 home-win total.
» The game marked NIU's final in Ypsilanti as a member of the Mid-American Conference.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her MAC-best 10th double-double of the season with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Her 10 double-doubles rank fifth nationally by value.
» Sisi Eleko's 10th double-double of the season brings her EMU career total to 24. She is seven away from tying Ce'Nara Skanes for the most in program history.
» Sisi Eleko's season-best 25 points marked her 17th 10+ point outing of the season and sixth with 20+. She has scored at least 10 points in every game she has appeared in this season
» After scoring 12 points in the win, Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (14) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 in the 2017-18 season.
» Peyton Hill is the first EMU freshman to record double-digit points in 14 of her first 18 NCAA games since EMU Women's Basketball Ring of Honor Recipient Ryan Coleman did so in 2002-03.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has 10 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fifth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in both points and rebounds per game, posting 18.0 points and 9.9 rebounds. Her 9.9 boards per game stand 29th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (7.8), checking in at No. 12 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in seven categories.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 24 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs seven more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with a season-best 25 points and 15 rebounds in the win over NIU, Jan. 24.

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 true 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.

HILL MATCHES CAREER HIGH IN REBOUNDS
After snagging a career-high eight rebounds against Toledo, Jan. 20, freshman Peyton Hill hit the glass hard once again against NIU, Jan. 24, grabbing a career-high eight rebounds for the second consecutive game.

PEYTON HILL: THREE 20-POINT GAMES
Peyton Hill's trio of 20-point games are the most from a MAC "true" 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 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 (14) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 in the 2017-18 season.

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 WINS
The 72-62 win over NIU, Jan. 24, is just the second of the season where EMU's opponent shot better than 45.0%. After the win over Toledo, Jan. 20, where the Rockets shot 52.8% from the field, Eastern has won consecutive games where its opponent shot better than 45.0% for the first time since the 2011-12 season, when Eastern fought off a 48.0% clip from Toledo in the MAC Tournament, March 9, before enduring a 50.9% rate from Central Michigan to clinch the program's second MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, edging the Chippewas, 72-71. EMU would lose in the first round to No. 12, South Carolina, 80-48. Additionally, EMU won (76-71) despite Toledo's 52.8% clip from the field, Jan. 20, 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%.

PAY DAY IN THE PAINT
Eastern scored 44 paint points in the win over NIU, Jan. 24, marking its sixth time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing a 5-1 record when doing so. The game also marked EMU's second consecutive with 40+ paint points as it most recently posted 46 in the win over Toledo, Jan. 20, its most of the season.

TRIPLING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL
The win against the Huskies, Jan. 24, marked the Eagles' third MAC win of the season, tripling the one MAC victory they had last season eight games into the 2025-26 league slate.

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 nine victories, EMU posts a +15.6 scoring margin and holds opponents to 57.1 points per game. The Eagles shoot 44.3% from the floor while limiting opponents to 37.5%. Rebounding stands out at plus 8.2 per game. EMU also shoots 81.0% from the free-throw line, compared to 69.8% for opponents. Peyton Hill averages 15.9 points per game in wins, shoots 46.9% from the field, pulls down 4.6 rebounds, and grabs 1.5 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 18.3 points and 11.0 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 12.4 points per game. Ainhoa Cea aids, scoring 6.3 points, with 6.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 188 to 148 in fourth quarters.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 57 rebounds to reach 1,000 in her NCAA career and 48 to hit 500 as an Eagle, while requiring 194 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 six double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, seven to tie for the most in program history, and eight 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 eight games as she is averaging 3.7 attempts per game while shooting 43.0% (13-for-30) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to seventh in the MAC in three-point shooting, up to 38.9% (21-for-54) this season, the best clip from a MAC true freshman. She recently made a career-best three triples at Miami, Jan. 14, and one against Toledo, Jan. 20, and NIU, Jan. 24.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per contest, making her one of five players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Of players on that list, she is one of two players shooting 50.0% or better from the field (other player is Olivia Miles of TCU), and the only one shooting 40.0% or better from three-point range.

THE OFFENSE IS HUMMIN'
Eastern has thrived offensively in 10 of its last 11 games (excluding game at CMU, Jan. 17), greatly improving upon multiple offensive statistics from the first seven games of the season.

EMU 10 of Last 11 Games (All per game averages)
Pts: 75.2, FG%: 46.9%, 3P FG%: 34.2%, Ast: 15.0, TO: 16.0

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 13.3 points per game increase, 3.1 jump in assists, and a roughly 8.0% advancement in both three-point and field goal percentage, while turnovers have decreased by 3.1.

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       46.8%
3P FG%             4th        34.2%
OPP RBG          4th        32.10
FT%      4th        72.6%
PPG      6th        72.0
3P FG Per Game          6th        6.50

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

Name Stat      Rnk      Value (All Per Game Avgs.)
A. Cea MPG     1st        38.15
A. Cea APG      2nd       5.90
S. Eleko             PPG      2nd       18.78
F. Ovalle            PPG      3rd        16.60
S. Eleko             RPG      3rd        9.44
B. Thrash          MPG     4th`     36.38
S. Eleko             FG%     4th        50.8%
P. Hill   FT%      7th        76.1%
F. Ovalle            FG%     8th        44.6%
S. Eleko             FT%      8th        75.6%
A. Cea SPG      9th        2.00

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 10 of her last 12 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 14 points off 46.1% (6-for-13) shooting in the win over NIU, Jan. 24. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points and rebounds per game average, along with her field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle 11 of Last 12 Games (All Per Game Averages)
Excluding the game at Miami, Jan. 14.
16.7 PTS, 45.8 FG%, 3.3 REB, 2.1 AST, 0.8 STL, 31.8 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 during 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.

SEVEN-WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 9-9 (3-5 MAC) record currently stands as a seven-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season. The seven-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
Eight games into league action, Eastern ranks high in several categories.

Category          Rnk      Value
FG%: 2nd       47.0%
3-Point FG%: 3rd        36.1%
FT%      3rd        73.1%
3P FGs Per Game:      5th        6.63
Points Per Game:        5th        72.38
TO Margin        5th        -0.13
Assist/TO Ratio:           5th        0.86
Asst Per Game:            6th        13.75

COOKIN' IN CONFERENCE PLAY: INDIVIDUAL
Eight 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       18.71
A. Cea MPG     2nd       38.10
A. Cea APG      3rd        5.75
F. Ovalle            PPG      4th        17.00
S. Eleko             RPG      4th        8.00
B. Thrash          MPG     6th        35.75
A. Cea FG%     6th        58.1%
F. Ovalle            MPG     8th        35.08
P. Hill   FT%      9th        81.3%

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. She recently hit the mark for the sixth time this season with 10 points and five rebounds in the win over NIU, Jan. 24.

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 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 that 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 eighth-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 6-1 or better at home for the first time since the 2018-19 season, when it also started 6-1 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 NIU, 72-62, Jan. 24. EMU is looking for a 7-1 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 it currently holds nine, more than quadruple the amount of wins it had in 2024-25. Three of Eastern's nine wins 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 sextupled its home win total from last season (one) as it won its sixth home game of the season against NIU, Jan. 24. A win against the Bulls would quadruple the Eagles' 2024-25 conference-win total (one), match their MAC road-win sum (one), and quadruple their road victory total (one).

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 76.2% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 41st in the country. Eighteen games in, EMU's 76.2% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 3.6% 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 eight of 18 games this season, and 70% or better in 12 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 (82.1%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks sixth in the MAC, is the best from a MAC freshman, and ninth among freshmen nationally. 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.

SHOOTING FOR 90s
Eastern was 18-for-20 from the free-throw line in the 72-62 win over NIU, Jan. 24, marking the fourth time in the Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present), and third time this season that the Eagles have shot 90.0% or higher at the free-throw line, as they are 4-0 in such games. The Eagles have recorded three or more games with a mark of 90.0% or better at the line in one season for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign.

STARTERS CARRY THE WORKLOAD
A large majority of Eastern's 69.4 points per game is scored by the starting five, as they have accounted for 84.8% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 81.9% 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 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 nine victories. In losses, opponents are shooting 49.7%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 26.3% or worse in six of EMU's nine wins and 31.3% or better in seven of EMU's nine losses. Eastern is also 8-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 13-of-18 games this season while holding a clean 7-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
Eastern ranks sixth in the MAC with a +2.8 rebounding margin as opponents average 32.1 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 13 of the last 17 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (9.9 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 4.4 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Eleko secured her 10th double-digit rebounds performance of the season with 15 vs. NIU, Jan. 24, marking her second game with 15 rebounds this season. Peyton Hill was also strong on the boards against the Huskies, tying a career best with eight rebounds.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage early in the season. The Eagles are 6-1 at home while outscoring opponents by 10.9 points per game. EMU averages 76.1 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 65.3. The defense has forced 17.3 opponent turnovers per game at home while committing 15.3. The rebounding margin sits at plus 5.7, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 11.2 rebounds per home contest and scores 21.0 points per game on 54.9% shooting. Peyton Hill averages 15.3 points at home with 4.3 rebounds, while shooting 49.3% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 134 to 101 in first quarters and 257 t0 207 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 41.0% overall in home games and 31.4% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 7.1 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions, and transition scoring chances.

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 Hoops Goes For Three Straight MAC Wins in Buffalo Wednesday Night

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Olivia Smith

Brooklyn Thrash

Eastern Michigan Athletics