Women's Basketball Faces UMass In Programs' First MAC Meeting Wednesday Night

Women's Basketball at UMass
Dates/Times	Wednesday \| Feb. 4 \| 6 p.m.
Venue	Mullins Center \| Amherst, Mass.
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Radio	89.1 FM (WEMU) \| The Varsity Network
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team makes its first trip to the State of Massachusetts in 11 years as it's slated to face the Minutewomen of the University of Massachusetts in the two programs' first Mid-American Conference contest, inside the Mullins Center, Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+. 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 10-10 (4-6 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.
» Eastern most recently fell at home to Western Michigan, 59-54, Jan. 31. EMU turned the ball over 21 times to WMU's 10, while the Broncos outscored the Eagles 15-2 in second-chance points via 13 offensive rebounds.
» Eastern and UMass are meeting for the fourth time and second in Amherst. Eastern is 2-1 against the Minutewomen and 0-1 when facing them in Amherst, as the programs are meeting for the first time since 2006.
» Eastern and UMass last met Dec. 13, 2006, a narrow 83-80 loss for the Eagles in Amherst.
» Eastern is playing a game in Massachusetts for the first time since it beat Harvard in Cambridge, 85-81, Dec. 8, 2015.
» Eastern is playing in the State of Massachusetts for the fourth time in program history. It holds a 2-1 record in The Bay State.
» With wins over Toledo, Jan. 20, Northern Illinois, Jan. 24, and Buffalo, Jan. 28, EMU recently earned three consecutive MAC victories for the first time under Nusseibeh and the 2020-21 season.
» 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 IN THE COUNTRY
Eastern's 10-10 (4-6 MAC) record currently stands as an eight-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season, tying Arizona State and McNeese State for the largest win improvement in the nation. The Sun Devils are 18-5 (5-5 BIG 12) after winning 10 games last season while the Cowgirls are 18-4 (12-1 Southland) after going 10-21 (5-15) 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.

FRESHMAN DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Freshman Peyton Hill recorded a double-double with 18 points and a career-best 10 rebounds against Western Michigan, Jan. 31. The performance marked the first double-double from an Eastern freshman since Lachelle Austin did so with 13 points and 13 rebounds against Western Michigan, March 2, 2022. Hill is one of four MAC freshmen to post a double-double this season.

FIRST TIME AGAINST A MAC FOE
Eastern is facing the Minutewomen for the first time in conference play. Eastern is 5-6 all-time when facing the current membership of the Mid-American Conference for the first time. It last faced a MAC school for the first time as league opponents when it lost on the road at Buffalo, 78-68, Jan. 2, 1999, after the Bulls joined the league prior to the 1998-99 season.

COME HERE OFTEN? NO, WE ACTUALLY DON'T
Eastern is playing in the State of Massachusetts for just the fourth time in program history, holding a 2-1 record. It most recently beat Harvard, in Cambridge, 85-81, Dec. 8, 2015, before topping Northeastern, in Boston, 83-53, Nov. 11, 2011. EMU's only loss in the state came to the Minutewomen, Dec. 13, 2006, an 83-80 decision.

CONSECUTIVE ROAD WINS/ROAD MAC WINS?
A win against UMass would mark the Eagles' first time winning consecutive road games since it beat IU Indy, 84-74, Dec. 15, 2023, and Northern Illinois, 67-49, Jan. 3, 2024. It would mark the first time with consecutive MAC road wins since Eastern beat NIU in overtime, 66-61, in DeKalb, Jan. 21, 2023, and Western Michigan, 63-51, in Kalamazoo, Jan. 25.

OFF A BYE AGAIN?
Eastern is facing UMass off a bye week, marking the third time in the last five conference matchups where EMU's opponent is coming off a bye week.

ALL-TIME VS. UMASS
Eastern and UMass are meeting for the fourth time. EMU is 2-1 against the Minutewomen and 0-1 when facing them in Amherst. EMU last earned a win over UMass Nov. 22, 2005, a 63-45 victory in Ypsilanti that saw the Eagles move to 2-0 on the season as three Eagles scored in double figures. Eastern is looking for its first win in Massachusetts since it beat Harvard, in Cambridge, 85-81, Dec. 8, 2015.

LAST TIME VS. UMASS
Eastern and UMass last met in the 2006-07 season, an 83-80 loss in Amherst. Eastern overcame a 17-point first half deficit by taking a brief lead late in the second period, but in the end it was the Minutewomen walking away with the non-conference victory. The win pushed UMass' record to 9-2 on the season and extended their home court winning streak to 10 games, the 12th longest in the nation. On the other side, the setback evened EMU's mark at 4-4. After shooting 66.7 percent from the floor in the first half, the Minutewomen finished with a 52.9% clip (27-of-51). The Eagles also shot a respectable 39.7% (29-of-73) from the floor, but stepped it up from three-point land by shooting at a rate of 41.4% (12-of-29).

LAST TIME OUT: VS. WESTERN MICH., JAN. 31, L, 59-54
Eastern most recently fell at home to Western Michigan, 59-54, Jan. 31. Freshman Peyton Hill led the charge for Eastern, securing her first career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, off 50.0% (6-for-12) shooting, including 40.0% (2-for-5) from beyond the arc. Supporting Hill was Sisi Eleko, who scored 16 points, while Ainhoa Cea scored eight points, dished four assists, and grabbed five rebounds. Brooklyn Thrash aided with seven points and seven rebounds. Turnovers, offensive rebounds, and second-chance points were the deciding factors. Western Michigan led EMU in all three categories, scoring 15 second-chance points to EMU's two, securing 13 offensive boards to the Eagles' six, and turning it over 10 times, while EMU coughed it up on 21 possessions.

NOTABLES VS. WESTERN MICH., JAN. 31, L, 59-54
» Eastern's 54 points is its second-lowest total of the season and lowest against a MAC opponent.
» Eastern and Western each totaled 34 rebounds, marking the second time EMU and its foe have had the same amount of rebounds this season, and fifth time under Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh.
» Eastern out shot its opponent (45.0% - 38.0%) for the ninth time this season, losing for the first time when doing so. Eastern is now 8-1 this season when outshooting its opposition. It also shot 45.0% or better for the seventh time in 2025-26, shooting 45.0% and moving to 4-3 in such occasions.
» Peyton Hill recorded her 16th game with double-digit points this season as she scored 18.
» Peyton Hill recorded a career-best 10 rebounds, marking her first time with double-digits in the category, surpassing her previous career best of eight, most recently reached against Northern Illinois, Jan. 24. She also matched her career best with three steals.
» Peyton Hill is the second EMU freshman to record 10 rebounds this season. The first was Believe Tshibangu, who grabbed 12 against Kent State, Jan. 10.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her 19th double-digit scoring game of the season with her 16th points. She has scored 10+ points in all 19 games she has played in this season.
» Ainhoa Cea posted her 11th game of the season with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, as she scored eight points, dished four assists, and grabbed five rebounds.
» Brooklyn Thrash tied a season-high with 40 minutes played for the fourth time this season, and Fernanda Ovalle matched a career high with 40 minutes of court time.

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.

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 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.

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. Eastern is one of four MAC schools to have two players record a double-double in the same game.

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 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.

HILL WAS HOOPIN'
Freshman Peyton Hill scored a career-high 25 points in the 76-71 win over Toledo, Jan. 20. 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.

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 (16) 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 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. Eastern can quintuple its 2024-25 league win total and double its MAC road-win total with a win over UMass.

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.

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 38 rebounds to reach 1,000 in her NCAA career and 30 to hit 500 as an Eagle, while requiring 159 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 40.0% in five of her last 10 games as she is averaging 4.2 attempts per game while shooting 40.4% (17-for-42) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to ninth in the MAC in three-point shooting, up to 37.9% (25-for-66) this season, the second-best clip from a MAC freshman. She recently knocked down a pair of triples against Western Michigan, Jan. 28.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.0 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 the only player shooting 50.0% or better from the field (52.9%) and 35.0% or better from three (36.0%).

OFFENSIVE JUMP
Eastern has improved offensively in its last 13 games, furthering multiple offensive statistics from the first seven games of the season.

EMU Last 13 Games (All per game averages)
Pts: 72.4, FG%: 45.8%, 3P FG%: 31.5%, Ast: 14.4, 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 10.5 points per game increase, 2.5 jump in assists, 7.0% advancement in field goal percentage, and nearly 5.0% increase in three-point shooting, while turnovers have decreased by 3.1.

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 improved over her last 14 games compared to her first six as an Eagle, 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 recently dropped 23 points off against Buffalo, Jan. 28, her sixth of the season. The junior has seen substantial leaps in her points, rebounds, minutes per game, and field-goal percentage throughout the stretch.

Ovalle Last 14 Games
15.1 PTS, 43.4 FG%, 3.4 REB, 2.0 AST, 0.8 STL, 32.7 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
10 games into league action, Eastern ranks high in several categories.

Category          Rnk       Value
FG%: 2nd       46.2%
FT%      3rd        73.1%
OPP REB/Game           4th        33.30
Assist/TO Ratio:           4th        0.84
REB Margin      5th        -0.10
Asst Per Game:             T5th      13.60
3-Point FG%: 6th        32.4%

COOKIN' IN CONFERENCE PLAY: INDIVIDUAL
10 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       18.44
A. Cea MPG     2nd       38.04
A. Cea APG      2nd       6.20
S. Eleko              RPG      4th        8.33
A. Cea FG%     4th        57.7%
A. Cea A/TO Ratio        4th        1.68
B. Thrash          MPG     4th        36.32
F. Ovalle             PPG      7th        16.10
F. Ovalle             MPG     7th        35.54
P. Hill   PPG      8th        15.20
B. Thrash          BPG      9th        0.80
A. Cea SPG      9th        1.90

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
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. 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 ninth-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 6-2 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 6-2 at home. Eastern notably 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. Eastern's last win at home came over NIU, 72-62, Jan. 24. EMU is looking for a 7-2 home start or better for the first time since 2022-23.

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                        10          8
Non-Con           6             1             5
Home 1             6             5
Away    1             4             3
MAC     1             4             3
MAC Home      0             3             3
MAC Away        1             1             --

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 76.0% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 38th in the country. Twenty games in, EMU's 76.0% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 3.4% 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 20 games this season, and 70% or better in 14 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 (82.6%) 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 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 85.7% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 83.0% 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 8-2 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 48.5%. 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 eight of EMU's 10 losses. Eastern is also 9-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 14-of-20 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 +2.9 rebounding margin as opponents average 32.9 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 35.7 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 19 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (9.8 rebounds per game, first in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.9 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.7 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Peyton Hill highlighted the EMU rebounders against Western Michigan, Jan. 31, securing a career-best 10 for her first double-digit rebounding game.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage early in the season. The Eagles are 6-2 at home while outscoring opponents by 8.9 points per game. EMU averages 73.4 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 64.5. The defense has forced 16.4 opponent turnovers per game at home while committing 16.0. The rebounding margin sits at plus 5.0, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 10.1 rebounds per home contest and scores 20.3 points per game on 53.2% shooting. Peyton Hill averages 15.6 points at home with 5.0 rebounds, while shooting 49.4% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 149 to 114 in first quarters and 279 to 235 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 40.6% overall in home games and 31.5% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 7.3 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 6-2 mark this season.

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 19 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in six, 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 17.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, both ranking second 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 (17.9) and rebounds (9.8) 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 16 of her first 20 NCAA games since at least 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 20 games, Hill is averaging 13.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 82.6% from the free-throw line, 45.4% from the field, and 37.9% from three.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 13.9 points per game and 82.6% clip from the free throw line are the best from a MAC freshman this season, while her 37.9% rate from beyond the arc is the second-best from a rookie. Her 45.4% mark from the field ranks fourth among the league's freshmen.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 82.6% from the line, the fifth-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the seventh-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 82.6% 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 seven of her last 11 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 20 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 14 of her first 20 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 6.0 assists per game rank second in the conference and 15th nationally. The senior's 6.0 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 Western Michigan, Jan. 31.

AINHOA'S MINUTES
Ainhoa Cea has handled significant minutes on the court as she slots first in the MAC and fifth 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 36 minutes against Western Michigan, Jan. 31.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded 11 games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, as she has done so in six of her last 11 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), at Miami, Jan. 14 (10 points, eight rebounds, five assists), and most recently against Western Michigan, Jan. 31 (eight points, four assists, five rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She is shooting 52.9% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Fernanda Ovalle needs eight points to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 38 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 30 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 21 assists to hit 500 in her career and 33 rebounds to reach the same mark, while Brooklyn Thrash needs 23 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 152 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 No. 8 mid-major team in the country, Arkansas State University, in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge Saturday, Feb. 7, 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 Faces UMass In Programs' First MAC Meeting Wednesday Night

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Believe Tshibangu

Eastern Michigan Athletics