Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, January 7
Athens, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
7-6,1-2MAC
87
at
96
Ohio
9-4,3-0MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Eastern Mich.
29
17
15
26
87
Ohio
20
30
32
14
96
Women's Hoops Falls in High-Scoring Battle at Ohio
1/7/2026 10:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Eastern held an 18-point advantage in the second quarter, before Ohio stormed back to take a 50-46 lead at halftime, eventually winning, 96-87
ATHENS, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team dropped a high-scoring Mid-American Conference affair on the road at Ohio University, 96-87, Wednesday, Jan. 7, inside the Convocation Center.
Eastern held an 18-point advantage in the second quarter, before Ohio stormed back to take a 50-46 lead at halftime, eventually winning, 96-87.
Eastern had three players score 15+ points in the high-scoring affair, led by Fernanda Ovalle's (Santiago, Chile/Montverde Academy/Xavier) 24 points, as she was aided by Brooklyn Thrash's (Wayne, Ohio/Elmwood/Canisius) career-high 22 points. Sisi Eleko (Montreal, Quebec/New Hope Academy/Canisius) scored 16 points.
Ainhoa Cea (Irun, Spain/IES Pio Baroja Bhi/Lipscomb) facilitated the offense efficiently, dishing a career high and MAC single-game high 12 assists, while scoring seven points, grabbing five rebounds, and adding four steals on the defensive end.
How it Happened
Eastern held a one-point lead at 11-10 at the media timeout as Eleko led the squad with six points and three rebounds. The two teams traded blows as the quarter went on, exchanging baskets on five consecutive possessions. Eastern was hot from the field in the first, particularly from three-point range as they finished the first quarter shooting 50% (5-for-10) from beyond the arc, and 57.1% (12-for-21) from the field. EMU ended the first quarter up, 29-20.
Eastern continued its strong play into the second, going on a nine-point run, leading by as much as 18 points (38-20). Ohio answered in a big way, going on a large run of its own to enter the half up four, 50-46. Fernanda Ovalle (Santiago, Chile/Montverde Academy/Xavier) (15 points), Eleko (12), and Thrash (11) each had double digits after two quarters.
Ohio carried its momentum into the third quarter, gaining an 11-point lead at the media timeout, 67-56. The Bobcats controlled the quarter, outscoring EMU, 32-15, while shooting 84.6% (11-for-16). OU was up by 21 points after three quarters, 82-61.
Eastern fought hard to close the gap in the fourth, trimming the OU lead to seven, 92-85, with roughly one minute remaining. The game ended in a 96-87 final in favor of Ohio.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record shifted to 7-6 (1-2 MAC) and Ohio's went to 9-4 (3-0 MAC).
» Eastern shot 49.0% (34-for-70) from the field while Ohio shot 54.0% (33-for-61). From three-point range, EMU shot 42.0% (11-for-26), and OU converted on 45.0% (13-for-29). The Eagles shot 67.0% (8-for-12) from the free-throw line and the Bobcats posted a 63.0% clip (17-for-27).
» The game saw 13 lead changes and five ties as EMU's largest lead was 18 points with 7:52 remaining in the second quarter, while Ohio's was 21 points with one second left in the third quarter. Eastern led for 12:36 of game time and Ohio led for 24:22.
» Eastern's 23 assists and 34 made field goals are both the most from a MAC team in conference play this season.
» Eastern started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, and Peyton Hill for the 13th game this season. EMU is one of 14 known schools to start the same five every game this season, and the only MAC school to do so. Conversely, EMU sent out seven different starting fives last season.
» Brooklyn Thrash scored a career-high 22 points, shooting 50% from the field (8-for-18), and 4-for-9 from three-point range. The game was her first over 20 points in her career as her eight field-goals made, four three-point field goals, and nine triple attempts all serve as career highs for the senior.
» Eastern had three players (Ovalle [24], Thrash [22], Eleko [16]) with 15+ points for the third consecutive game.
» Eastern had two players (Ovalle [24], Thrash [22]) with 20+ points for the third consecutive game.
» Sisi Eleko notched her 13th consecutive double-digit scoring game of the season with 16 points.
» Ainhoa Cea recorded her ninth game of the season with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, posting seven points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. She has accomplished the feat in four consecutive games. She first did so at Indiana, on Dec. 14 (nine points, six assists, 10 rebounds), and again did it at Ball State, on Dec. 20 (eight points, five assists, three rebounds), before notching 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30.
» Ainhoa Cea dished a career-best 12 assists, the most by an individual in a single game in the MAC this season, and fifth-most in the country by value.
» Peyton Hill (St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word Academy) had a career-best seven assists.
Historical Notes
» The Eagles trail, 28-42, in their all-time series with the Bobcats, and hold a 12-23 mark when the game is played in Athens, as the two teams are met for the 70th time overall and fourth consecutive time in Athens.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, EMU has scored 74+ points in five-of-six games for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats and 86 points against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, Eastern has scored 86+ points in consecutive games for first time since the 2013-14 season.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats and 86 points against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, Eastern has scored 86+ points in consecutive conference games for first time since the 2003-04 season.
» With Fernanda Ovalle (24 points) and Brooklyn Thrash's (22 points) 20-point outings, Eastern has had three consecutive games with multiple 20-point scorers for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.
» Sisi Eleko is closing in on 1,500 career points. She currently totals 1,474, requiring 26 to reach the mark. Eleko would be the seventh EMU player to reach the milestone and first since Cha Sweeny did so in the 2015-16 season. She would be one of 41 active Division I players to reach the milestone.
» Fernanda Ovalle needs 97 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 99 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 91 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She is 26 points from 1,500 and needs nine double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs 10 total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and 11 to be the sole record owner.
» The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 145 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.
» Ainhoa Cea's 12 assists are the most from an Eagle this season and most since Desyree Thomas dished 13 in a 77-66 win over Miami, on Feb. 4, 2012. The total is the third-highest in EMU history.
Up Next
Eastern returns home to face preseason conference favorite Kent State University Saturday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets here, and 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.
Eastern held an 18-point advantage in the second quarter, before Ohio stormed back to take a 50-46 lead at halftime, eventually winning, 96-87.
Eastern had three players score 15+ points in the high-scoring affair, led by Fernanda Ovalle's (Santiago, Chile/Montverde Academy/Xavier) 24 points, as she was aided by Brooklyn Thrash's (Wayne, Ohio/Elmwood/Canisius) career-high 22 points. Sisi Eleko (Montreal, Quebec/New Hope Academy/Canisius) scored 16 points.
Ainhoa Cea (Irun, Spain/IES Pio Baroja Bhi/Lipscomb) facilitated the offense efficiently, dishing a career high and MAC single-game high 12 assists, while scoring seven points, grabbing five rebounds, and adding four steals on the defensive end.
How it Happened
Eastern held a one-point lead at 11-10 at the media timeout as Eleko led the squad with six points and three rebounds. The two teams traded blows as the quarter went on, exchanging baskets on five consecutive possessions. Eastern was hot from the field in the first, particularly from three-point range as they finished the first quarter shooting 50% (5-for-10) from beyond the arc, and 57.1% (12-for-21) from the field. EMU ended the first quarter up, 29-20.
Eastern continued its strong play into the second, going on a nine-point run, leading by as much as 18 points (38-20). Ohio answered in a big way, going on a large run of its own to enter the half up four, 50-46. Fernanda Ovalle (Santiago, Chile/Montverde Academy/Xavier) (15 points), Eleko (12), and Thrash (11) each had double digits after two quarters.
Ohio carried its momentum into the third quarter, gaining an 11-point lead at the media timeout, 67-56. The Bobcats controlled the quarter, outscoring EMU, 32-15, while shooting 84.6% (11-for-16). OU was up by 21 points after three quarters, 82-61.
Eastern fought hard to close the gap in the fourth, trimming the OU lead to seven, 92-85, with roughly one minute remaining. The game ended in a 96-87 final in favor of Ohio.
Game Notes
» Eastern's record shifted to 7-6 (1-2 MAC) and Ohio's went to 9-4 (3-0 MAC).
» Eastern shot 49.0% (34-for-70) from the field while Ohio shot 54.0% (33-for-61). From three-point range, EMU shot 42.0% (11-for-26), and OU converted on 45.0% (13-for-29). The Eagles shot 67.0% (8-for-12) from the free-throw line and the Bobcats posted a 63.0% clip (17-for-27).
» The game saw 13 lead changes and five ties as EMU's largest lead was 18 points with 7:52 remaining in the second quarter, while Ohio's was 21 points with one second left in the third quarter. Eastern led for 12:36 of game time and Ohio led for 24:22.
» Eastern's 23 assists and 34 made field goals are both the most from a MAC team in conference play this season.
» Eastern started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, and Peyton Hill for the 13th game this season. EMU is one of 14 known schools to start the same five every game this season, and the only MAC school to do so. Conversely, EMU sent out seven different starting fives last season.
» Brooklyn Thrash scored a career-high 22 points, shooting 50% from the field (8-for-18), and 4-for-9 from three-point range. The game was her first over 20 points in her career as her eight field-goals made, four three-point field goals, and nine triple attempts all serve as career highs for the senior.
» Eastern had three players (Ovalle [24], Thrash [22], Eleko [16]) with 15+ points for the third consecutive game.
» Eastern had two players (Ovalle [24], Thrash [22]) with 20+ points for the third consecutive game.
» Sisi Eleko notched her 13th consecutive double-digit scoring game of the season with 16 points.
» Ainhoa Cea recorded her ninth game of the season with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, posting seven points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. She has accomplished the feat in four consecutive games. She first did so at Indiana, on Dec. 14 (nine points, six assists, 10 rebounds), and again did it at Ball State, on Dec. 20 (eight points, five assists, three rebounds), before notching 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30.
» Ainhoa Cea dished a career-best 12 assists, the most by an individual in a single game in the MAC this season, and fifth-most in the country by value.
» Peyton Hill (St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word Academy) had a career-best seven assists.
Historical Notes
» The Eagles trail, 28-42, in their all-time series with the Bobcats, and hold a 12-23 mark when the game is played in Athens, as the two teams are met for the 70th time overall and fourth consecutive time in Athens.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, EMU has scored 74+ points in five-of-six games for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats and 86 points against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, Eastern has scored 86+ points in consecutive games for first time since the 2013-14 season.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats and 86 points against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, Eastern has scored 86+ points in consecutive conference games for first time since the 2003-04 season.
» With Fernanda Ovalle (24 points) and Brooklyn Thrash's (22 points) 20-point outings, Eastern has had three consecutive games with multiple 20-point scorers for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.
» Sisi Eleko is closing in on 1,500 career points. She currently totals 1,474, requiring 26 to reach the mark. Eleko would be the seventh EMU player to reach the milestone and first since Cha Sweeny did so in the 2015-16 season. She would be one of 41 active Division I players to reach the milestone.
» Fernanda Ovalle needs 97 points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 99 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 91 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She is 26 points from 1,500 and needs nine double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs 10 total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and 11 to be the sole record owner.
» The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 145 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.
» Ainhoa Cea's 12 assists are the most from an Eagle this season and most since Desyree Thomas dished 13 in a 77-66 win over Miami, on Feb. 4, 2012. The total is the third-highest in EMU history.
Up Next
Eastern returns home to face preseason conference favorite Kent State University Saturday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets here, and 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.
Team Stats
EMU
Ohio
FG%
.486
.541
3FG%
.423
.448
FT%
.667
.630
RB
34
34
TO
17
15
STL
8
13
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
10
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's BasketballM/F
/ Women's Basketball
Y
/ Women's BasketballY/W
/ Women's BasketballM
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Ovalle, Hill, and Eleko 20+ Point Highlights vs. BGSU
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Saturday, January 03
Eastern WBB Beats Bowling Green, 86-76: Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh Post-game Interview
Wednesday, December 31