Women's Basketball Travels to Toledo in Saturday MAC-Road Tilt

Women's Basketball at Toledo
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Feb. 14 \| 2 p.m.
Venue	Savage Arena \| Toledo, Ohio
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Sidearm Livestats
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Looking to get back on track following a loss to Mid-American Conference second place Ball State University, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team goes on the road to face the University of Toledo Rockets at Savage Arena, Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ and live stats are available on EMUEagles.com, where a postgame 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 with a 64-54 victory over Robert Morris, Nov. 26. EMU posted a 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record in 2024-25 and is currently 11-12 (4-8 MAC).
» Eastern is tied for the third largest win improvement in the nation from the 2024-25 season to the 2025-26 campaign, as it has improved by nine wins from its 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record last season.
» Eastern and Toledo's first meeting of the season was decided by just five points, a 76-71 win for the Eagles at home, Jan. 20. Eastern came back from a 13-point deficit and outscored the Rockets 26-15 in the fourth quarter.
» Eastern and Toledo are meeting for the 96th time. EMU is 36-59 against Toledo and 12-32 when facing it in The Glass City.
» Eastern most recently lost to Ball State, 83-68, Feb. 10. Sisi Eleko (10 points, 13 rebounds) and Peyton Hill (20 points, seven rebounds, three assists) led the Eagles.
» Sisi Eleko's 13 rebounds against Ball State, Feb. 10, put her over the 1,000 mark for her career and 500 mark as an Eagle.
» Sisi Eleko is three double-doubles away from tying the EMU all-time record. She needs two double-doubles to reach 50 in her career.
» Over her last seven games, Peyton Hill is averaging 20.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 88.6% from the free-throw line.
» 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, including six transfers.
» EMU has nine international players, tying for the fourth most nationally and the most in the MAC.

NATIONALLY RANKED WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 11-12 (4-8 MAC) record currently represents a nine-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season, tying for the third largest improvement nationally by number of wins. McNeese State (21-4, 15-1 Southland) leads the nation with an 11-win jump. The Eagles' nine-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2013-14 squad improved by 10 wins (18-14, 7-11 MAC) from the 2011-12 team's 8-22 (6-10 MAC) record.

PEYTON HILL IS ON FIRE
A strong contestant for MAC Freshman of the Year, Peyton Hill has excelled in her previous seven games.

Hill Last Seven (All Per-Game Averages)
20.4 Pts, 51.0 FG%, 88.6 FT%, 7.0 REB

Hill Rest of Season (All Per-Game Averages)
12.8 Pts, 45.0 FG%, 80.0 FT%, 2.9 REB

The stretch features nearly an eight-point increase in scoring, 6.0% jump in shooting, and 4.0 improvement in rebounding. Hill ranks third in the MAC in points per game in the span while standing third in free-throw percentage, fifth in field-goal percentage, and tied for eighth in rebounding. Moreover, Hill has recorded three consecutive 20-plus point games for the first time in her career after scoring a 22 at UMass, Feb. 4, a career-best 27 points against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, and most recently notching 20 against Ball State, Feb. 10.

ALL TIME VS. TOLEDO
Eastern Michigan and Toledo will meet for the 96th time Tuesday as EMU holds a 36-59 all-time record against the Rockets, and a 12-32 mark when facing them in The Glass City. After snapping an eight-game UT winning streak in the series, Jan. 20, EMU is shooting for consecutive wins over the Rockets for the first time since the 2019-20 season and 2020-21 campaign. Additionally, EMU is looking to beat Toledo in Toledo for the first time since Jan. 29, 2020, when it bested the Rockets, 77-62.

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

NOTABLES LAST TIME VS. TOLEDO
» The win marked Eastern's second fourth-quarter comeback this season as it previously topped Duquesne, 74-72, after entering the fourth quarter down by one, 59-58.
» Sisi Eleko, Peyton Hill, and Fernanda Ovalle combined for 24 points in the fourth quarter, accounting for 92.3% (24-of-26) of the Eagles' points in the quarter.
» Fernanda Ovalle recorded her 10th double-digit scoring game of the season with 20 points.
» Peyton Hill grabbed what was a career-high eight rebounds and was two away from notching the first double-double of her career.
» Peyton Hill recorded her third game with 20+ points this season as she scored 25 points off 8-for-13 shooting.
» The Eagles came back from down 13 points, marking the second-largest comeback win in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh (2024-present) era. EMU came back from down 21 to earn the first win in the Nusseibeh tenure, a 72-60 victory over Xavier, Dec. 1, 2024.
» Eastern beat Toledo for the first time since Feb. 21, 2021, a 69-59 home win. The win marked the 400th combined victory inside the then-Convocation Center for both the EMU men's and women's basketball programs.

LAST TIME AT TOLEDO, L, 87-41, MARCH 6, 2024
Playing short-handed, Eastern could not match the offense of the league-leading Rockets. With just eight players, EMU was down just two points after the opening quarter, however, UT shot 56.0% for the contest as they rolled to an 87-41 victory.

TOLEDO TIES
EMU Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh and Toledo Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Hailey Yohn previously worked together on Miami's staff from 2019-21. During Nusseibeh's tenure as the RedHawks' defensive coordinator, three Miami players received all-conference honors as Lauren Dickerson was named All-MAC Second Team, Savannah Kluesner was named All-MAC Third Team and Peyton Scott was named MAC All-Freshman Team. Dickerson became Miami's all-time leading scorer in addition to breaking five other Miami career records and one single-season record. Kluesner broke the program record for single-season double-doubles (14) and Miami's single-game block record (7). Additionally, EMU Assistant Coach Shareese Ulis hails from the city of Toledo. In high school, she was named the Toledo Player of the Year on three occasions, District Player of the Year twice, and was a member of the All-State Team two times. She was also nominated for the McDonald's All-American Team as a senior, and finished her career as the all-time leading scorer in Waite High School history.

IN THE 90's
The 96 meetings between EMU and Toledo mark the most between EMU and an out-of-state opponent, as It is the third-longest series in EMU history. Overall, Eastern has played over 90 games in four different series, including 98 with Western Michigan, 97 against Central Michigan, soon to be 96 with Toledo, and 94 with Ball State. The next series in line is the 80 games played with Bowling Green.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. BALL STATE, L, 83-68, FEB. 10
Sisi Eleko eclipsed the 1,000-rebounds mark with 13 rebounds in an 83-68 loss to Ball State, Feb. 10. Eleko also reached the 500-rebound mark as an Eagle, becoming the 23rd player in program history to accomplish the feat. Joining Eleko in a milestone performance was Ainhoa Cea who dished four assists to push her over the 500-assists threshold. Peyton Hill paced the Eagles in scoring with 20 points on a 6-of-12 showing from the field. She added seven rebounds and three assists.

ELEKO AND CEA MILESTONES VS BSU
» Sisi Eleko's 13 rebounds put her over the 1,000 mark in her NCAA tenure as well as eclipsed the 500 mark as an Eagle. Eleko is the 23rd player in program history to reach the 500 rebounds mark. Additionally, Eleko's 1,001 career rebounds are the 11th most of all active NCAA Division I players.
» Ainhoa Cea recorded four assists, pushing her past the 500-assists milestone as she now totals 502 in her NCAA career. Her 502 dimes are the most of any active player in the MAC and the 18th most nationally.

ALLI ZAJAC CAREER-HIGH 13 POINTS IN 12 MINS
In just 12 minutes of court time, Alli Zajac buried a trio of triples, the most in her career on her way to a career-best 13-point performance against the Cardinals, Feb. 10.

NOTABLES VS. BALL STATE, L, 83-68, FEB. 10
» Sisi Eleko notched her MAC-best 14th double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Her 14 double-doubles ranks fourth nationally by value and tie her MAC-best mark from last season.
» Peyton Hill notched 20 points, her sixth game over 20 points this season, the most from a MAC 'true' freshman.
» Ainhoa Cea tied her EMU career high with 11 points and set a new Eastern career high with a trio of three-pointers made in the contest.
» Ainhoa Cea had two steals, marking her team-leading 16th game with two or more takeaways.
» Paula Balada was a perfect two-for-two from the three-point line, marking her third game of the season with multiple triples.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 28 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs three more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, at Ball State, Feb. 10. Currently averaging 17.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, Eleko is just the third player in EMU history to average a double-double for the season and the only one to do so in two separate seasons.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has 14 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fourth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in points (17.7) and rebounds per game (10.2). Her 10.2 boards per game stand 21st nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (8.0), checking in at No. 13 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in seven categories.

ELEKO CAREER SCORING/REBOUNDING AVERAGE
With 50 games as an Eagle under her belt, Sisi Eleko officially qualifies for the career scoring average leaderboards, where she currently stands fourth averaging 17.8 points per game. Eleko currently leads the program in all-time rebounding average with 10.2 per game as an Eagle. She is the only Eagle to average double figures in rebounds in her career.

ELEKO AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Averaging 17.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, Sisi Eleko is one of 21 players nationally averaging a double-double, and the only player in the MAC to do so.

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 22 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in seven, the third-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 17.7 points and 10.2 rebounds, both ranking second in the MAC.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 28 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 50 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 60 games to total 28 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 56.0% (28-of-50) of her games at EMU. Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO ELITE COMPANY
Ranking second in the MAC in points (17.7) and rebounds (10.2) per game, Sisi 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.

TOP-10 FRESHMAN SCORER: PEYTON HILL
After scoring 20 points against Ball State, Feb. 10, Peyton Hill totals 348 points this season, the ninth most by an EMU freshman in program history. With six regular-season games remaining and factoring in her 15.1 points per game average, Hill is expected to end the season with roughly 438 points, which would be the second-highest total from an EMU freshman all time. She needs eight points to pass Laurie Byrd (355, 1978-79) and 11 to eclipse Alyssa Pittman (358, 2006-07).

PEYTON HILL: SIX 20-POINT GAMES
Peyton Hill's six 20-point games are the most by a MAC freshman this season and the most by an EMU freshman since Cha Sweeny reached the mark 11 times in the 2013-14 campaign. Hill most recently accomplished the feat with 20 points versus Ball State, Feb. 10.

FRESHMAN 10+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (19) and 20+ point performances (six) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 10+ point games. Hill most recently scored 20 points versus Ball State, Feb. 10.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 15.1 points per game, 82.7% clip from the free throw line, and 38.0% rate from beyond the arc pace MAC rookies. Her 47.5% mark from the field ranks third among the league's freshmen.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 82.7% from the line, the fifth-best mark in the conference and best from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 82.7% 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.

ANOTHER PAIR OF 20s
Peyton Hill (22 points) and Sisi Eleko (20) each posted 20+ points at UMass, Feb. 4, marking the fifth time this season EMU has seen multiple players with 20+ points, producing a 2-3 record in such games.

PAY DAY IN THE PAINT
Eastern scored 44 paint points in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7, marking its eighth time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing a 7-1 record when doing so. The game also marked EMU's fifth with at least 44 paint points, a total it has reached in four of its last six games.

QUADRUPLING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL
The win at Buffalo, 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. Eastern can quintuple its MAC win total with a victory over the Rockets Saturday.

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.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage this season. The Eagles are 7-3 at home while outscoring opponents by 5.9 points per game. EMU averages 73.1 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 67.2. The Eagles outshoot opponents, 45.4%-40.3%. The rebounding margin sits at plus 3.5, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 11.0 rebounds per home contest and scores 18.9 points per game on 48.4% shooting. Peyton Hill averages 17.2 points at home with 5.4 rebounds, while shooting 51.9% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range.

HOT AT HOME
Eastern is 7-3 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 7-3 at home. Eastern notably beat the No. 6 ranked mid-major team in the country, Arkansas State, Feb. 7, after it topped Robert Morris in its home opener, Nov. 26, who is 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, Dec. 30. EMU is looking for a 8-3 home start or better for the first time since 2022-23.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 174 to 154 in first quarters, 339 to 310 across first halves, and 205-172 in the fourth quarter.

HOME STRETCH IS HERE
Beginning with the game against Ball State, Feb. 10, Eastern will play four of its final seven regular-season games inside the friendly confines of the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where it holds a 7-3 mark this season. Additionally, Eastern already has wins over three of its remaining opponents in Toledo, Buffalo, and Northern Illinois.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 225 to 178 in fourth quarters. Eastern most recently outscored Arkansas State, 17-15 in the fourth quarter and 12-9 in overtime for the 76-73 win, Feb. 7.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 111 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. Furthermore, she needs two double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, three to tie for the most in program history, and four 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 40.0% in five of her last 10 games, averaging 4.6 attempts per game while shooting 39.1% (18-for-46) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to 10th in the MAC in three-point shooting, up to 37.8% (31-for-82) this season, the best clip from a MAC freshman. She recently knocked down a pair of triples against Ball State, Feb. 10.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per contest, making her one of five 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 (51.2%). Cea joins an elite list of three-time All-American Olivia Miles (TCU) and the nation's assists leader (8.7 per game), Caroline Lau (Northwestern).

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 six 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.

HILL/OVALLE THREE CONSECUTIVE 20-POINT GAMES
Both Peyton Hill and Fernanda Ovalle have notched three consecutive games with 20+ points this season, as they are two of four MAC players to accomplish the feat. Hill has scored 20-plus in her last three contests, scoring 22 points at UMass, Feb. 4, a career-best 27 against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, and most recently scored 20 versus Ball State, Feb. 10. Hill is the only MAC freshman to score 20-plus in three straight games this season. 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 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 three MAC teams to score 86+ points in multiple conference games this season.

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 seventh time this season with 14 points and eight rebounds in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7.

3-STRAIGHT GAMES, 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
After Fernanda Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22 points), and Sisi Eleko's (20 points) 20-point performances against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, EMU is one of two MAC schools to have three players score 20+ points in a single game this season. The other is Ball State, who accomplished the feat against Kent State, Feb. 1.

ELEKO MAC POTW X2
Sisi Eleko collected her second MAC Player of the Week award of the season, Dec. 16. 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 a two-point deficit to start the fourth quarter (49-47) against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, marking the fourth, fourth-quarter comeback in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and third of the 2025-26 season. Eastern notably came back from down six points to start the fourth quarter, beating Toledo, 76-71, Jan. 20. It was the largest fourth-quarter comeback since Eastern came back from a 10-point hole to win against NIU, 76-72, Feb. 22, 2025.

MULTIPLYING WINS
Eastern has multiplied its 2024-25 win total across a multitude of categories.

Win Type          24-25 Total       25-26 Total    Increase
Total     2             11          9
Non-Con           1             7             6
Home 1             7             6
Away    1             4             3
MAC     1             4             3
MAC Home      0             3             3
MAC Away        1             1             --

With a win over Toledo, Eastern can increase its overall win total by 10 from the 2024-25 season, while advancing its road-win total by four, MAC-win total by five, and road-MAC win sum by one.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 75.6% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 50th in the country. Twenty-three games in, EMU's 75.6% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 3.0% 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 nine of 23 games this season, and 70% or better in 16 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 (82.7%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks fifth in the MAC and is the best from a MAC freshman. Additionally, Eastern 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 7-for-7 from the free-throw line at UMass, Feb. 4, marking the fifth time in the Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present), and fourth time this season that the Eagles have shot 90.0% or higher at the free-throw line, as they are 4-1 in such games. The Eagles have recorded four or more games with a mark of 90.0% or better at the line in one season for the first time since at least 2011-12.

STARTERS CARRY THE WORKLOAD
A large majority of Eastern's 1,578 points is scored by the starting five, as it has accounted for 86.1% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 83.1% of the Eagles' total minutes.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 9-3 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in nine of its 11 victories. In losses, opponents are shooting 48.1%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 26.3% or worse in eight of EMU's 11 wins and 31.3% or better in eight of EMU's 12 losses. Eastern is also 10-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 15-of-23 games this season while holding a clean 8-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in 15 of the last 22 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 4.5 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Sisi Eleko highlighted the EMU rebounders against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, corralling 13, marking her 14th double-digit rebounds game this season.

WINNING FORMULA SHOWS BALANCE
Across all 11 victories, EMU posts a +14.8 scoring margin and holds opponents to 58.0 points per game. The Eagles shoot 44.2% from the floor while limiting opponents to 35.8%. Rebounding stands out at +7.8 per game. EMU also shoots 78.9% from the free-throw line, compared to 67.6% for opponents. Peyton Hill averages 17.2 points per game in wins, shoots 49.2% from the field, pulls down 4.7 rebounds, and grabs 1.4 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 18.4 points and 11.7 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 13.5 points per game. Ainhoa Cea aids, scoring 5.8 points, with 6.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds.

UNDERSIZED REBOUNDER
Standing 5-foot-6, Ainhoa Cea pulls down an average of 4.5 rebounds per game. She has grabbed at least four rebounds in eight of her last 14 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 by an EMU player 5-foot-6 or shorter since Juanita Agosto also grabbed 10 against Western Michigan, Jan. 19, 2022.

AINHOA'S AID
Senior Ainhoa Cea has distributed the ball effectively in her first 23 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 16 of her first 23 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 6.2 assists per game rank second in the conference and 12th nationally. The senior's 6.2 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 most recently totaled four assists against Ball State, Feb. 10.

AINHOA CEA 10+ ASSIST GAMES
Ainhoa Cea recently dished double-digit assists for the third time this season with 11 at UMass, Feb. 4. Her trio of 10+ assist outings are the second-most in the conference and the most from an Eagle in a single season since Desyree Thomas also recorded three 10+ assist outings in 2011-12.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and fourth in America, averaging 37.4 minutes per game. Cea's 37.4 minutes per game are a career high and are 8.6 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played 36 minutes against Ball State, Feb. 10.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded 12 games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, doing so in seven of her last 14 games, most recently at UMass, Feb. 4 (six points, 11 assists, three rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She is shooting 51.2% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Sisi Eleko needs two double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure and three total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and five to be the sole record owner. Ainhoa Cea needs 24 rebounds to reach the same mark, while Brooklyn Thrash needs 22 triples to hit 100 in her NCAA career and 158 rebounds to total 500.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 155 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 hosts the University at Buffalo for the two programs' second matchup of the season Feb. 21, at 2 p.m.

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 Travels to Toledo in Saturday MAC-Road Tilt

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Players Mentioned

Paula Balada

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Alli Zajac

Eastern Michigan Athletics