Women's Basketball Looks for Four Straight League Wins, Hosts Western Michigan Saturday

Women's Basketball vs. Western Michigan
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Jan. 31 \| 2 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
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Fresh off its first 20-point Mid-American Conference victory since 2020, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team looks to make it four straight wins for the first time since 2020-21, as it welcomes rivals Western Michigan University to the George Gervin GameAbove Center Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m.

Fans can purchase tickets here and stream the game live on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley, Claire Dau, and Elena Davis on the call. 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 10-9 (4-5 MAC).
»              Eastern is tied for the largest win improvement in the nation from the 2024-25 season to the 2025-26 campaign, as it has improved by eight wins from its 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record last season.
»              With wins over Toledo, Jan. 20, Northern Illinois, Jan. 24, and Buffalo, Jan. 28, EMU earned three consecutive MAC victories for the first time under Nusseibeh and the 2020-21 season, also the last time Eastern won four straight in league action.
»              Eastern most recently beat Buffalo, 71-51, Jan. 28, behind a pair of double-doubles from Sisi Eleko (19 points, 15 rebounds) and Ainhoa Cea (12 assists, 10 rebounds).
»              Eastern and Western are meeting for the 98th time. EMU is 53-44 all-time against the Broncos, 29-18 when facing them in Ypsilanti, and is looking to snap a three-game skid to the Broncos.
»             EMU's soon-to-be 98 meetings with Western Michigan will mark its most storied matchup in program history, surpassing the 97 meetings with Central Michigan.
»              Eastern dropped its lone matchup with WMU last season, falling at home, 65-51, in the MAC home opener, Jan. 1, 2025. Sisi Eleko led the way offensively as she posted her eighth double-double of the season with a game-high 23 points and 15 rebounds.
»              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.

LARGEST WIN IMPROVEMENT THE COUNTRY
Eastern's 10-9 (4-5 MAC) record currently stands as an eight-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season, tying Arizona State for the largest win improvement in the nation. The Sun Devils are 18-4 (5-4 BIG 12) after winning 10 games last season. The Eagles' eight-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2013-14 squad improved by 10 wins (18-14 [7-11 MAC]) from the 2021-22 team's 8-22 (6-10 MAC) record.

TWO DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN ONE GAME
Sisi Eleko (19 points, 15 rebounds) and Ainhoa Cea (12 assists, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles in the 71-51 win over Buffalo, Jan. 28. The performances mark Eastern's first time having two players post a double-double in the same game since Tayra Eke and Kennedi Myles did so against Akron, Feb. 7, 2024.

AINHOA CEA: ASSISTS/REBOUNDS DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Senior Ainhoa Cea recorded an assists/rebounds double-double (12 assists, 10 rebounds) in the win at Buffalo, Jan. 28. The performance marks the first occurrence of an Eagle recording 10+ in each stat since Eastern legend Ryan Coleman did so in a triple-double performance (21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) against Western Michigan, Feb. 12, 2005. Cea is one of at least 18 known players to record 10+ assists and rebounds in the same game this season, and one of two MAC players to accomplish the feat along with Paige Kohler of Bowling Green.

LOOKING FOR FOUR STRAIGHT MAC WINS
After wins over Toledo, Jan. 20, NIU, Jan. 24, and Buffalo, Jan. 28, Eastern has won three consecutive MAC games for the first time since the 2020-21 season, which is also the last time they won four consecutive conference victories. That season, it beat Western Michigan, Jan. 10, Miami, Jan. 13, Akron, Jan. 16, and Central Michigan, Jan. 20. Should the Eagles beat Buffalo, it would mark the first four-game MAC win streak under Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh, and second four-game win streak this season, as EMU previously won four consecutive games, Nov. 26-Dec. 9.

IN THE 90's
The 97, soon-to-be 98 games played between EMU and WMU will surpass Eastern's series against Central Michigan (97 games) for the longest in program history. Overall, Eastern has played over 90 games in four different series, including 97 with Western Michigan, 97 with Central Michigan, 95 with Toledo, and 93 with Ball State. The next series in line is the 80 games played with Bowling Green.

ALL-TIME VS. WMU
Eastern and Western are meeting for the 98th time, the most in EMU program history. Eastern holds a 53-44 all-time record against the Broncos and is 29-18 when facing them in Ypsilanti. Eastern aims to snap a three-game skid to the Brown and Gold, as the Eagles are 3-7 in their last 10 games against WMU. A win Saturday would mark Eastern's first against the Broncos since Feb. 11, 2023, a 68-58 home win for the Eagles.

LAST SEASON AGAINST WMU
Eastern dropped its lone matchup with WMU last season, falling at home, 65-51, in the MAC home opener, Jan. 1, 2025. Sisi Eleko led the way offensively as she posted her eighth double-double of the season with a game-high 23 points and 15 rebounds.

LAST TIME OUT: AT BUFFALO, W, 71-51, JAN. 28
Eastern earned a 20-point MAC-road victory behind a pair of double-double performances from Sisi Eleko and Ainhoa Cea, besting Buffalo, 71-51, Wednesday, Jan. 28. The 20-point victory marked EMU's largest over a MAC opponent since the 2019-20 season, and the Eagles' first time winning three consecutive MAC games since the 2020-21 season. Eleko and Cea led the EMU attack as Eleko recorded her MAC-best 11th double-double of the year with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Cea posted the second double-double of her NCAA tenure and first as an Eagle with 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Along with Eleko and Cea, Fernanda Ovalle and Peyton Hill scored at a high rate, with Ovalle recording 23 points and Hill scoring 19, with four rebounds and five assists.

BIG TIME MAC WIN
Eastern's 71-51 win at Buffalo, Jan. 28, marked its largest margin of victory in a conference game since it beat Miami at home, 80-53, Jan. 15, 2020. It's the largest margin of victory against a MAC team on the road since it thumped the RedHawks by 24, 70-46, in Oxford, Ohio, Feb. 13, 2016.

NOTABLES AT BUFFALO, W, 71-51, JAN. 28
» Eastern's record improved to 10-9 (4-5 MAC) and Buffalo's went to 2-18 (0-9 MAC).
» Eastern had two players secure double-digit rebounds for the second time this season. Sisi Eleko grabbed 15, her second time recording 15 or more in a game this season, and Ainhoa Cea went up for 10, matching her season high. The duo previously accomplished the feat at Indiana, Dec. 14, with Eleko grabbing 18 rebounds, and Cea posting 10.
» Eastern held Buffalo to 28.6% (20-for-70) shooting from the field and 10.7% (3-for-28) from three-point range. Both of which are its second-lowest opponent shooting percentages this season, and lowest against a MAC opponent.
» Eastern's 55 rebounds against the Bulls are their most against a Division I opponent this season and the most under Nusseibeh in a single game, surpassing the 55 it had against NAIA Defiance, Dec. 5, 2025.
» Eastern had three players (Fernanda Ovalle [23], Peyton Hill [19], Sisi Eleko [19]) score 10+ points for the 12th time this season.
» Fernanda Ovalle recorded her 12th double-digit scoring game of the season with a game-high 23 points. She has scored at least 10 points in 12 of her last 14 games. The game marked her fifth 20-point outing of the season.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her MAC-best 11th double-double of the season with 19 points and 15 rebounds. Her 11 double-doubles rank fourth nationally by value.
» Peyton Hill recorded her 14th game with double-digit points this season as she scored 19.
» Eastern earned its first MAC road win of the season and second under Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh. Her 2024-25 Eastern squad previously beat NIU on the road, 76-72, Feb. 22, 2025.
» EMU committed just 13 turnovers. It is 6-2 this season when committing 15 or fewer turnovers.
» Ainhoa Cea's 12 assists tied her career-high and are the most from an individual in the MAC in a single game in the MAC this season. She also recorded 10+ rebounds for the second time this season and fifth in her career.
» Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh has coached extensively against the Bulls as Wednesday's game marked her sixth against UB, the most of any MAC opponent. Nusseibeh is 2-4 all-time against Buffalo.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has 11 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fourth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC points and first in rebounds per game, posting 18.1 points and 10.2 rebounds. Her 10.2 boards per game stand 23rd nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (8.1), checking in at No. 10 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in seven categories.

ELEKO AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Currently posting 18.1 points and 10.2 rebound per game, Sisi Eleko is the only player in the MAC averaging a double-double and one of 25 players nationally.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 25 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs six more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds in the win at Buffalo, Jan. 28.

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. Most recently, Hill scored 19 points in the 71-51 win over Buffalo, Jan. 28.

FRESHMAN 10+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (15) 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. The Eagles were a combined two points away from reaching the mark at Buffalo, Jan. 28, as both Sisi Eleko and Hill scored 19 points.

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 Buffalo, Jan. 28, marking its seventh time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing a 6-1 record when doing so. The game also marked EMU's third consecutive with 40+ paint points as it previously posted 44 in the win over NIU, Jan. 24, its most of the season.

QUADRUPLING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL
The win against the Bulls, Jan. 28, marked the Eagles' fourth MAC win of the season, quadrupling the one MAC victory they had last season nine games into the 2025-26 league slate. Eastern's only MAC win last year came on the road at Northern Illinois, 76-72, Feb. 22

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.

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 6-1 mark this season.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 208 to 163 in fourth quarters. Eastern most recently outscored Buffalo, 20-15 in the fourth, eventually winning, 71-51.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 42 rebounds to reach 1,000 in her NCAA career and 34 to hit 500 as an Eagle, while requiring 175 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 five double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, six to tie for the most in program history, and seven 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 nine games as she is averaging 4.1 attempts per game while shooting 40.5% (15-for-37) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to eighth in the MAC in three-point shooting, up to 37.7% (23-for-61) this season, the second-best clip from a MAC true freshman. She recently knocked down a pair of triples in the win at Buffalo, Jan. 28.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest, making her one of three players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.0 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 35.0% or better from three-point range.

THE OFFENSE IS HUMMIN'
Eastern has thrived offensively in 10 of its last 12 games (excluding games at CMU, Jan. 17, and at Buffalo, Jan. 28), greatly improving upon multiple offensive statistics from the first seven games of the season.

EMU 10 of Last 12 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       46.2%
OPP RBG          4th        33.27
FT%      4th        72.8%
AST/TO Ratio 4th        +0.91
3P FG%              5th        31.8%
PPG      6th        71.91

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         38.27
S. Eleko              RPG      1st         10.00
A. Cea APG      2nd       6.45
S. Eleko              PPG      2nd       18.80
F. Ovalle             PPG      3rd        17.18
B. Thrash          MPG     4th`     36.46
A. Cea A/TO     6th        +1.65
S. Eleko              FG%     6th        50.3%
P. Hill   FT%      6th        76.0%
F. Ovalle             FG%     8th        45.0%
S. Eleko              FT%      8th        74.5%
S. Eleko              MPG     8th        34.22
A. Cea SPG      9th        1.91

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 that 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 11 of her last 13 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 dropped 23 points off against Buffalo, Jan. 28, her sixth of the season. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points and rebounds per game average, along with her field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle 12 of Last 13 Games (All Per Game Averages)
Excluding the game at Miami, Jan. 14.
17.3 PTS, 46.0 FG%, 3.3 REB, 2.0 AST, 0.8 STL, 32.1 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, 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 had 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.

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

Category          Rnk       Value
FG%: 3rd        46.2%
FT%      3rd        73.3%
Assist/TO Ratio:           4th        0.91
3-Point FG%: 5th        32.7%
Points Per Game:        5th        72.22
TO Margin         5th        -0.33
Asst Per Game:             5th        14.22

COOKIN' IN CONFERENCE PLAY: INDIVIDUAL
Nine 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       18.75
A. Cea MPG     2nd       38.26
A. Cea APG      2nd       6.44
S. Eleko              RPG      2nd       8.88
F. Ovalle             PPG      3rd        17.67
A. Cea`              A/TO Ratio        5th        1.66
B. Thrash          MPG     5th        35.91
F. Ovalle             MPG     7th        35.04
B. Thrash          BPG      8th        0.89
P. Hill   PPG      9th        14.89
A. Cea SPG      9th        1.89

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 quadrupled 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 10, quintuple the amount of wins it had in 2024-25. Four of Eastern's 10 wins have come on the road, quadrupling 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 Broncos would quintuple the Eagles' 2024-25 conference-win total (one) and septuple their home win 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. Nineteen 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 19 games this season, and 70% or better in 13 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 (81.8%) 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.

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 82.6% 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 8-1 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in eight of its ten 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 seven of EMU's ten wins and 31.3% or better in seven of EMU's nine losses. Eastern is also 9-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 14-of-19 games this season while holding a clean 8-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
Eastern ranks sixth in the MAC with a +3.0 rebounding margin as opponents average 32.8 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 35.8 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in 14 of the last 18 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (10.2 rebounds per game, first in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.8 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.7 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Eleko secured her 11th double-digit rebounds performance of the season with 15 at Buffalo, Jan. 28, marking her third game with 15 rebounds this season. Cea was also strong on the boards against the Bulls, tying a season best with ten rebounds.

ROAD RESILIENCE IN WINS
In road victories, EMU has leaned on defense and discipline. Opponents score only 46.5 points per game in those four wins, including a 70-39 decision at Canisius, Nov. 7, a 52-41 win at St. Thomas, Nov. 14, and a 71-51 victory at Buffalo, Jan. 28. EMU has forced 18.8 turnovers per game in road wins while holding opponents to 30.5% shooting from the floor and 10.7% from three-point range.

WINNING FORMULA SHOWS BALANCE
Across all 10 victories, EMU posts a +16.0 scoring margin and holds opponents to 56.5 points per game. The Eagles shoot 44.0% from the floor while limiting opponents to 36.3%. Rebounding stands out at +8.0 per game. EMU also shoots 80.6% from the free-throw line, compared to 67.0% for opponents. Peyton Hill averages 16.2 points per game in wins, shoots 46.8% from the field, pulls down 4.5 rebounds, and grabs 1.5 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 18.4 points and 11.4 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 13.5 points per game. Ainhoa Cea aids, scoring 6.0 points, with 6.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.

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 18 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in six, the second-most in the conference. 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 18.1 points (second in the MAC) and 10.2 rebounds per game (first in the MAC).

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 25 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 46 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 51 games to total 25 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 54.3% (25-of-46) 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 points (18.1) and first in rebounds (10.2) 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 15 of her first 19 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 19 games, Hill is averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 81.8% from the free-throw line, 45.1% from the field, and 37.7% from three.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 13.7 points per game and 81.8% clip from the free throw line are the best from a MAC freshman this season, while her 37.7% rate from beyond the arc is the second-best from a rookie. Her 45.1% mark from the field ranks third among the league's freshmen.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 81.8% 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 81.8% 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% in the 1989-90 season.

UNDERSIZED REBOUNDER
Standing 5-foot-6, Ainhoa Cea pulls down an average of 4.7 rebounds per game. She has grabbed at least four rebounds in six of her last 10 games with her highest single-game total being 10 at Indiana, Dec. 14, and most recently at Buffalo, Jan. 28. Cea's 10 rebounds against the Hoosiers and Bulls 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 19 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 14 of her first 19 games, with her highest total being 12 at Ohio, Jan. 7, and at Buffalo, Jan. 28. Cea's 12 assists against the Bobcats/Bulls tie for the most in a single game in the MAC and are the fifth-most nationally by value. Cea's 6.1 assists per game rank second in the conference and 14th nationally. The senior's 6.1 assists per game average, should it hold, would break the program's single-season record. The record is currently 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 nine of her last 14 games. She most recently totaled 12 in the victory against Buffalo, Jan. 24.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and fourth in America, averaging 37.2 minutes per game. Cea's 37.2 minutes per game are a career high and stand 8.4 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played all 40 minutes for the sixth time this season in the win against Buffalo, Jan. 28.

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 10 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 6.7 points, 6.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She is shooting 52.1% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Fernanda Ovalle needs 10 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 42 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 34 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She needs five double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs six total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and seven to be the sole record owner. Ainhoa Cea needs 25 assists to hit 500 in her career and 38 rebounds to reach the same mark, while Brooklyn Thrash needs 24 triples to hit 100 in her NCAA career and 165 rebounds to total 500.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 151 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, from Dec. 9, 2014, to Nov. 29, 2020, against visiting UIC, when no makes halted the streak.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern will catch its last scheduled flight of the season as it travels to the University of Massachusetts in the two programs' first Mid-American Conference matchup Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m., in Amherst, Mass.

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 Looks for Four Straight League Wins, Hosts Western Michigan Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Eastern Michigan Athletics