Women's Hoops Hosts Kent State Saturday

Women's Basketball vs. Kent State
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Jan. 10 \| 2 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team is set to host Kent State University in Mid-American Conference action Saturday, on Jan. 10, at 2 p.m., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.

Fans can purchase tickets here, stream the game live on ESPN+, and access live stats on EMUEagles.com, where a post-game recap will also be posted. Be sure to stay posted to EMU women's basketball social media @EMUWBB on X, @emuwbb on Instagram, and EMU Women's Basketball on Facebook.

QUICK NOTES
» Eastern is in the second year of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era. The Eagles surpassed their 2024-25 win total (two) just six games into the 2025-26 season, earning their third win over Robert Morris, 64-54, Nov. 26. EMU posted a 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record in 2024-25 and is currently 7-5 (1-1 MAC).
» Eastern has more than tripled its number of wins from the 2024-25 season (two) as it currently totals seven.
» Eastern and Kent State are meeting for the 77th time. EMU holds a 28-48 record against the Golden Flashes and a 19-17 mark when facing them in Ypsilanti.
» Junior Fernanda Ovalle was named MAC Player of the Week, on Jan. 6, after posting her second career double-double with a career-high 26 points and 10 rebounds in the 86-76 win over Bowling Green, Dec. 30.
» Fernanda Ovalle has excelled in her last seven games, averaging 17.4 points off 50.6% shooting from the field, 35.9% from three-point range, and 81.8% from the free-throw line. She was previously averaging 7.7 points off 34.0% shooting.
» Senior Sisi Eleko was named Preseason All-MAC First Team after earning second-team honors following the 2024-25 regular season that saw her lead the MAC in double-doubles (14) and rebounds per game (10.1) while ranking second with 17.9 points per game.
» Eastern most recently dropped a high-scoring affair at Ohio, 96-87, on Jan. 7. EMU held an 18-point lead in the second quarter before OU outscored EMU, 62-32, in the second and third quarters to secure the win.
» 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.

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

EMU Last Six Games (All per game averages)
Pts: 80.7, FG%: 46.7%, 3P FG%: 35.8%, Ast: 17.0, TO: 15.7

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 an 18.8 points per game increase, 5.1 jump in assists, 9.1% advancement in three-point field-goal percentage, 7.9% improvement in from the field, while turnovers have decreased by 3.4.

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

Category          Rnk       Value
FG%     1st         47.7% (135-for-283)
3P FG%              1st         37.0% (40-for-108)
Points/Game 3rd        77.60
Assist/TO Ratio             3rd        1.01
3P FG Per Game           4th        8.0

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

Name Stat      Rnk       Value
F. Ovalle             PPG      1st         20.40
F. Ovalle             3P FG%              1st         40.6% (13-for-32)
F. Ovalle             3P FG/GM         2nd       2.60
A. Cea             Assist/GM        2nd       7.20
F. Ovalle             FG%     3rd        53.6% (37-for-69)
S. Eleko              PPG      3rd        18.80
S. Eleko              RPG      4th        8.60
S. Eleko              FG%     4th        50.7% (37-for-73)

OVALLE NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fernanda Ovalle was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, on 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, on 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, on Nov. 28, 2022.

THREE POTW AWARDS IN ONE SEASON
After Sisi Eleko's MAC Player of the Week awards (on Dec. 2 and Dec. 16), and Fernanda Ovalle's on 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 (on 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 six of her last seven games with a pair of five-assist outings, including a then-career-best 22 points and five assists at Ball State, on Dec. 20, before topping that with a career-high 26 points and season-best 10 rebounds against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30. Ovalle most recently scored 24 points at Ohio, on Jan. 7. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points and rebounds per game average, along with her field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle Last Seven Games
17.4 PTS, 50.6 FG%, 4.0 REB, 2.3 AST, 29.5 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, on Dec. 20, before recording a career-best 26 points in the win against Bowling Green, on 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, on Jan. 7, Fernanda Ovalle has 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, on Dec. 20, before recording a career-best 26 points in the win against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, and 24 points at Ohio, on Jan. 7.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 86+ POINTS
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, on Jan. 7, and 86 points against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, Eastern has 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, on Dec. 31, before putting up 88 in a 88-70 victory over Kent State, on Jan. 4.
» 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, when the Eagles beat the Akron Zips, 93-37, on Jan. 7, prior to besting rivals Central Michigan, 87-50, on Jan. 10.
» Eastern is the only MAC team to score 86+ points in multiple conference games this season.

FIVE-WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 7-6 record currently stands as a five-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season. The five-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2022-23 squad improved by eight wins (15-15) from the 2021-22 team's 7-20 record.

NET RATING
Eastern currently ranks 151st in the latest NET ranking, released on Jan. 9, slotting fifth among MAC schools. Ball State leads the MAC, ranking 81st, followed by UMass (83rd), Miami (100th), and Central Michigan (104th).

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

Category          Rnk       Value
Assist/TO Ratio:           1st         1.06
Points Per Game:        2nd       82.3
3-Point FG%: 2nd       43.1% (28-for-65)
Asst Per Game:             T2nd     17.0
FG%: 3rd        48.9% (85-for-174)
3P FGs Per Game:       3rd        9.33

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

Name Stat      Rnk       Value
F. Ovalle             PPG      1st         24.0
A. Cea 3P FG%              1st         100% (3-for-3)
A. Cea Assist/GM        2nd       7.67
F. Ovalle             3P FG/GM         T2nd    3.00
F. Ovalle             Ast/TO Rat.      4th        2.25

ALL-TIME VS. KENT STATE
The Eagles trail in the all-time series, 28-48, and have lost seven consecutive meetings to the Golden Flashes, including 14 of the last 15 games. The Eagles are 19-17 against Kent State when facing it in Ypsilanti, and have dropped seven in a row. The last time Eastern downed KSU came in the 2019-20 season, fighting off a late comeback attempt from its opposition en route to its fifth consecutive victory, 74-69, on Jan. 8, 2020. EMU is looking to beat KSU in Ypsilanti for the first time since the 2015-16 season, a 73-60 win in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, on March 7, 2016. Despite back-and-forth play throughout the game, the Eagles pulled away from the Golden Flashes in the final quarter. Coincidentally, Eastern has not scored 75 points against Kent State in the 20 games in the series.

THE STREAKS
The series between EMU and KSU has been a grouping of streaks. The Golden Flashes have won eight in a row and 14-of-15. Prior to that run, the Eagles had won 11 consecutive meetings and 15-of-18. That run was preceded by KSU taking 19 in a row.

LAST SEASON AGAINST KENT STATE
The Eagles received 24 points and nine rebounds from Sisi Eleko while Olivia Smith added a season-high 16 points as Eastern dropped a 79-59 decision at Kent State, on Jan. 29, 2025, inside the MAC Center in Kent, Ohio. The Eagles also saw Olivia Westphal made a trio of three-pointers in the game.

LAST TIME AT HOME AGAINST KENT STATE
Eastern saw a 23-point showing from the bench, but fell, 76-64, to Kent State, on Feb. 28, 2024.

The Eagles had three players score in double figures, led by Kennedi Myles, who had 16 points and eight rebounds. Lachelle Austin tacked on 13 points and two steals and Treasure Thompson helped out with 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals off the bench.

Led by Thompson's five offensive rebounds, EMU did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 12 second chance points.

Eastern Michigan forced 16 Kent State turnovers. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 23 points on the other end of the floor. ZaNiya Nelson led the way individually with three steals.

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DAY
Eastern is celebrating international day against the Golden Flashes. Fans can take home Ypsilanti post cards to send to their international family members. Flags of EMU's international student-athletes will be on display, and those in attendance can participate in cultural trivia and enjoy international music as well. Eastern has nine international players, tying for the fourth-most in the nation and most in the MAC. Wagner has the most with 13.

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

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

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

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

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

3-STRAIGHT GAMES WITH MULTIPLE 20-POINT PERFORMANCES
With Fernanda Ovalle (24 points) and Brooklyn Thrash's (22) 20-point outings at Ohio, on Jan. 7, Eastern has 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, on Dec. 20, prior to Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22), and Eleko (20) doing so against Bowling Green, on 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, on March 7, Northern Illinois, on March 9, and Ball State, on 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, on 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, on Dec. 30, is the only occasion of a MAC school having three players with 20+ points in a single game this season.

CONSISTENT STARTING FIVE
Eastern has started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, and Peyton Hill all 13 games 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.

74+ POINTS IN FIVE-OF-SIX GAMES
Eastern has scored 74+ points in five of its last six games, scoring 96 points against Defiance, on Dec. 5, 74 points versus Duquesne, on Dec. 9, and at Ball State, on Dec. 20, before putting up 86 versus Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, and 87 at Ohio, on Jan. 7. The occurrence is EMU's first time with 74+ points in five-of-six games since the 2014-15 season.

ELEKO MAC POTW X2
Sisi Eleko collected her second MAC Player of the Week award of the season, on 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, on Jan. 23 and Jan. 30.

STRONG START
Eastern Michigan is looking for its first 8-6 start or better through the first 14 games of the season since it went 10-4 in its first 14 games of the 2022-23 campaign. That season ended with a first-round loss in the MAC tournament to Bowling Green, 70-36, March 8.

BACKS AGAINST THE WALL
Eastern Michigan came back to win from a fourth-quarter deficit against Duquesne, Dec. 9. Entering the fourth quarter down one, 59-58, the Dukes expanded their lead to as much as four, 62-58, before EMU came back to win, 74-72. This is the second fourth-quarter comeback in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and the first since Eastern came back from a 10-point hole to win against NIU, 76-72, on Feb. 22, 2025.

HOT AT HOME
After the 86-76 win over Bowling Green, on Dec. 30, Eastern is 4-0 at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it started 6-0 at home. Eastern notably topped Robert Morris in its home opener, on Nov. 26, who was receiving votes in the College Insider Mid Major poll, and is predicted to finish second in the Horizon League. EMU also ended Bowling Green's seven-game win streak after topping the Falcons, 86-76. EMU is looking for a 5-0 home start for the first time since 2022-23.

NUSSEIBEH STRONG START
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is seeking the second 8-6 start or better through 14 games in her head coaching tenure. She last led a team to a 9-5 record or better through 14 games at Canisius in 2023-24. That season was highlighted by a first-round MAAC Tournament win over Manhattan, 58-55, March 14, and a 17-14 overall record, marking the Golden Griffins' most wins since the 2008-09 season.

MULTIPLYING WINS
Eastern has at least tripled its 2024-25 season total across multiple winning categories. EMU surpassed its 2024-25 win total (two) just six games into the 2025-26 season, with three wins, as they currently hold seven, more than triple the amount of wins it had in 2024-25. Three of Eastern's seven wins (Canisius, on Nov. 7; St. Thomas, on Nov. 14; Detroit Mercy, on 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, on 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, on Dec. 9, and had just one last season, a 72-60 comeback win over Xavier, on Dec. 1, 2024. Eastern also quadrupled its home win total from last season (one) as it won its fourth home game of the season against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30. A win against the Golden Flashes would quintuple the Eagles' 2024-25 home-win total (one) and exceed their conference win sum (one).

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

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 77.1% (182-for-236) from the free-throw line this season, ranking second in the MAC, and 29th in the country. Although just 13 games in, EMU's 77.1% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 4.5% better than the current single-season record, a 72.6% clip in the 1994-95 season. The Eagles have shot 81.0% or better from the free-throw line in six of 13 games this season, as their season-best 90.9% (20-for-22) rate vs. Robert Morris, Nov. 26, ranks fourth in program history in single-game standings. Fernanda Ovalle (83.3%) and Peyton Hill (81.2%) lead EMU individually, as Ovalle's clip slots fifth in the conference and Hill's ranks eighth, an dis 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, on Dec. 30.

STARTERS CARRY THE WORKLOAD
A large majority of Eastern's 70.5 points per game is scored by the starting five, as they have accounted for 83.7% (768-of-917) of EMU's total points.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 7-1 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in its seven victories. In losses, opponents are shooting at least 44.8%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 26.3% or worse in five of EMU's seven wins and 31.3% or better in five of EMU's six losses. Eastern is also 6-3 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 9-of-13 games this season while holding a clean 6-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
Eastern ranks sixth in the MAC with a +3.5 rebounding margin as opponents average 33.0 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 36.5 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in nine of the last 12 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (9.7 rebounds per game, second in the MAC), Ainhoa Cea also carries a sizeable workload when it comes to rebounding, averaging 4.8 per game while standing 5-foot-6, and Brooklyn Thrash averages 4.5 per game.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage early in the season. The Eagles are 4-0 at home while outscoring opponents by 18.5 points per game. EMU averages 80.0 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 61.5. The defense has forced 20.0 opponent turnovers per game at home while committing only 15.8. The rebounding margin sits at plus 6.3, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 10.5 rebounds per home contest and scores 21.3 points per game on 57.7% shooting.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles have outscored opponents 91 to 46 in first quarters and 152 to 99 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 35.0% overall in home games and 28.4% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 9.5 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions and transition scoring chances.

ROAD GAMES TEST DEPTH AND POISE
Away from Ypsilanti, EMU owns three wins, while facing higher scoring environments. Road games average nearly nine more possessions per team, reflected in tighter margins. The Eagles score 66.3 points per road game and allow 69.1. Rebounding remains a strength with a +2.2 margin, while EMU averages 13.9 assists per game, showing ball movement even under pressure.

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, on Nov. 7, and a 52-41 win at St. Thomas, on Nov. 14. EMU has forced 22.0 turnovers per game in road wins while holding opponents to 33.0 percent shooting. Sisi Eleko averages 17.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in wins overall, setting the tone inside.

WINNING FORMULA SHOWS BALANCE
Across all seven victories, EMU posts a +17.9 scoring margin and holds opponents under 55.0 points per game. The Eagles shoot 42.5% from the floor while limiting opponents to 33.6%. Rebounding stands out at plus 8.6 per game. EMU also records nearly twice as many assists as opponents, 13.3 to 7.4, highlighting unselfish offense and effective execution.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 149 to 123 in fourth quarters. Free-throw efficiency is a factor: EMU shoots 79.5% at the line in wins and averages 17.7 made free throws per game. Peyton Hill averages 15.1 points per game in wins, shoots 47.8% from the field, and adds steady perimeter defense.

SISI STILL GOT IT
Sisi Eleko has picked up where she left off from the 2024-25 season. Named Preseason First Team All-MAC, Eleko has scored at least 10 points in all 13 games this season, including 20+ in five, as she is the only MAC player to rank inside the top two in points per game, rebounds per game OR assists per game. Eleko currently averages 17.9 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, ranking first and second in the MAC, respectively, while averaging 32.8 minutes per game (12th in the MAC), and shooting 49.7% from the field (12th in the conference).

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has seven double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and sixth nationally by value. The senior also paces the MAC in points per game, posting 17.8 per contest, just shy her career-best rate from last season (17.9). Her 9.7 rebounds per game rank second in the MAC and 30th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (7.9), checking in at No. 11 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in six categories.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 21 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs 10 more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds against Indiana, Dec. 14.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 21 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 38 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 41 games to total 21 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 53.8% (21-of-39) of her games at EMU. Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO ELITE COMPANY
Leading the MAC in points (17.8) and ranking second in rebounds (9.7) per game, Eleko is one of just eight players nationally to rank top two in their respective conference in both points and rebounds per game.

ELEKO CLOSING IN ON 1,500 POINTS
Senior Sisi Eleko is closing in on 1,500 career points. She currently totals 1,474, requiring 26 to reach the mark. Factoring in Eleko's 17.8 points per game average this season, she is expected to eclipse 1,500 points at Miami, Jan. 14. Eleko would be the seventh EMU player to reach the milestone and first since Cha Sweeny did so in the 2015-16 season. Eleko would be one of 41 active Division I players to reach the milestone.

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 10 of her first 13 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 13 games, Hill is averaging 13.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 81.2% from the free-throw line, 42.9% from the field, and 36.1% from three. Her 13.2 points per game are the most from a MAC freshman this season and her 81.2% free-throw percentage is the best from a MAC rookie. Additionally, her 36.1% rate from three, the third-best mark among MAC freshman.

FRESHMAN 10+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (10) since Aaliyah Stanley recorded 11 in the 2019-20 season.

FRESHMAN POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill posted a career-high 22 points in the win against Bowling Green, on Dec. 30. Her 22 points are the most from a MAC freshman in a single game this season and the most from an EMU freshman since Aaliyah Stanley scored 24 points in a 68-59 win at UIC, on Dec. 18, 2019. Hill's two 20-point outings are the most from an EMU rookie since Stanley put up three in 2019-20.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 81.2% from the line, the ninth-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the 13th-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 81.2% clip would rank 10th 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.

AINHOA'S ASSISTS
Senior Ainhoa Cea has distributed the ball effectively in her first 13 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 11 of her first 13 games, with her highest total being 12 at Ohio, on Jan. 7. Cea's 12 assists against the Bobcats tie for the most in a single game in the MAC. Cea's 6.2 assists per game rank second in the conference and 16th nationally. The senior's 6.2 assists per game average, should it hold, would set the program's single-season record. The single-season program 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 six of her last eight games. She most recently totaled 12 at Ohio, on Jan. 7.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and sixth in America, averaging 36.3 minutes per game. Cea's 36.5 minutes per game are a career high and stand 7.7 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She recently tied a career best, playing the full 40 minutes for the third time this season against Indiana, Dec. 14, after playing wire-to-wire at Purdue Fort Wayne, Nov. 19, and Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded nine games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, as she has done so in four consecutive 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), on Dec. 30, and most recently at Ohio (seven points, five rebounds, 12 assists). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.5 points, 6.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. She is shooting 49.2% from the field (32-for-65) and 40.0% (6-for-15) from three-point range.

PELKA FROM DOWNTOWN
Freshman Oliwia Pelka is shooting 37.5% from the three-point line, ranking 10th in the MAC and third among MAC freshmen. She made her NCAA debut against Louisiana Monroe, Nov. 3, shooting 3-for-4 from the three-point line as she made three or more three-point field goals for the second time in her career with a trio of triples in the win over Defiance, Dec. 5. Pelka recently went 2-for-5 (40%) from behind the arc against Indiana, Dec. 14.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
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.

SHOOTING STREAK
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.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern returns to the road to face Miami University on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 7 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.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Oliwia Pelka

Olivia Smith

Brooklyn Thrash

Olivia Westphal

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