Women's Basketball Hosts Buffalo Saturday Afternoon

Women's Basketball vs. Buffalo
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Feb. 21 \| 2 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Tickets	Purchase Here
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Following a 62-51 loss to the Toledo Rockets, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team returns home to face the University at Buffalo Bulls at the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ with Brent Balbinot, Greg Steiner, and Elena Davis on the call, 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 11-13 (4-9 MAC).
» Eastern is tied for the fourth 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.
» With five regular-season games remaining and currently standing ninth in the MAC with a 4-9 record, EMU is projected to need to go 4-1 the remainder of the season to make the MAC tournament.
» Eastern and Buffalo's first meeting was decided 71-51 in the Eagles' favor, marking Eastern's first win over the Bulls since the 2022-23 season.
» Eastern and Buffalo are meeting for the 37th time. EMU is 17-19 against Buffalo and 9-9 when facing it in Ypsilanti.
» Eastern most recently lost to Toledo, 62-51, Feb. 14. Sisi Eleko (23 points, 12 rebounds) 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 two double-doubles away from tying the EMU all-time record. She needs one more double-double to reach 50 in her career.
» 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.

TO GET TO CLEVELAND
Over the last five seasons, eight wins is the average needed to qualify for the MAC Tournament. Eastern currently stands ninth in the conference with a 4-9 record. Based on the last five seasons, Eastern would need to go 4-1 in the remaining five games to make the cut.

Eastern has remaining games against:
vs. Buffalo (13th 0-13 MAC), Feb. 21
vs. Miami (2nd - 12-1 MAC), Feb. 25
at Northern Illinois (12th - 2-12 MAC), Feb. 28
vs. Ohio (5th - 9-5 MAC), March 4
at Akron (T9th - 4-9 MAC), March 7

EMU will be facing four of the five teams for the second time this season. It previously:
»Beat Buffalo, 71-51, Jan. 28.
»Lost at Miami, 69-55, Jan. 14.
»Topped Northern Illinois, 72-62, Jan. 24.
»Fell at Ohio, 96-87, Jan. 7.

POISED TO GET BACK IN THE MAC WIN COLUMN
Eastern last won a conference game, Jan. 28, when it beat Saturday's opponent, Buffalo, 71-51, on the road.

NATIONALLY RANKED WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 11-13 (4-9 MAC) record currently represents a nine-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season, tying for the fourth largest improvement nationally by number of wins. McNeese State (22-4, 16-1 Southland) leads the nation with a 12-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 eight games.

Hill Last Seven (All Per-Game Averages)
18.9 Pts, 48.1 FG%, 88.9 FT%, 6.8 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, 3.1% jump in shooting, and 4.0 improvement in rebounding. Hill ranks second in the MAC in points per game and free-throw percentage in the span, while ranking eighth in field-goal percentage, and 10th in rebounding. Moreover, Hill 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 notching 20 against Ball State, Feb. 10.

ALL TIME VS. BUFFALO
Eastern Michigan and Buffalo will meet for the 37th time Tuesday as EMU holds a 17-19 all-time record against the Bulls, and a 9-9 mark when facing them at home. After snapping an three-game UB winning streak in the series, Jan. 28, EMU is shooting for consecutive wins over the Bulls for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Additionally, EMU is looking to beat Buffalo at home for the first time since Feb. 23, 2023, when it bested the Bulls, 61-57.

LAST TIME VS. BUFFALO, JAN. 28, W, 71-51

Fernanda Ovalle led the Eagles in scoring with 23
points, followed by Sisi Eleko and Peyton Hill with
19 points each for Eastern's first road win against
Buffalo since Feb. 17, 2016. Propelled by a second
half in which the Eagles scored 20 points in each
quarter, the Bulls conceded their first loss to Eastern
since Feb. 23, 2023.

NOTABLES LAST TIME VS. BUFFALO
» The 20-point margin of victory is EMU's largest against a MAC opponent since it beat Miami, 80-53, Jan. 15, 2020.
» Ainhoa Cea's rebounds/assists double-double is the first time an Eagle has recorded 10+ in each category since EMU great Ryan Coleman posted a triple-double (21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) against Western Michigan, Feb. 12, 2005.

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
Despite the match against Buffalo being played in Michigan, six members of the Eagles are familiar with the Buffalo area while at nearby Canisius in the 2023-24 season. Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh led the Golden Griffin program for three seasons (2021-24) with Shareese Ulis and Meg Cunningham working on her staff. Current Eagles Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash also played for the Golden Griffins from 2022-24, while Director of Operations/Assistant Coach Alexis Mesuch served as a student manager at CU. Nusseibeh was 32-60 in three seasons at Canisius as she helped resurrect a program that won a combined five games in the two seasons prior to her arrival to a 17-victory campaign in 2023-24. The Golden Griffins' 17 wins were the most since the 2008-09 season and it marked the school's first season with double-digit wins since 2018-19.

NUSSEIBEH VS. BUFFALO
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh has coached extensively against the Bulls as Saturday's game will mark her seventh against UB, the most of any MAC opponent. Nusseibeh is 2-4 all-time against Buffalo, with the latest win coming Jan. 28, 2026, a dominant 71-51 win in the Queen City. The game saw Fernanda Ovalle score 23 points, while Sisi Eleko and Peyton Hill added five points each along with 15 and four boards, respectively.

LAST TIME OUT: AT TOLEDO, L, 62-51, FEB. 14
Despite a historic shooting performance and double-double from Sisi Eleko, the Eastern dropped a highly-contested game at Toledo, 62-51, inside Savage Arena, Feb. 14. Eleko shot 10-of-15 (66.7%) from the field, the ninth best single-game performance in program history, as she recorded her MAC-best 15th double-double of the season, putting up game highs with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Peyton Hill added eight points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Ainhoa Cea scored seven points, grabbed six rebounds, distributed five assists, and swiped three steals.

NOTABLES AT TOLEDO, L, 62-51, FEB. 14
» Sisi Eleko, Peyton Hill, and Brooklyn Thrash combined to account for 76.0% of the Eagles' points.
» Sisi Eleko notched her eighth 20+ point game of the season with 23 points off 10-of-15 shooting (66.6%). Her eight 20-point games are the second most in the conference.
» Sisi Eleko notched her MAC-best 15th double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Her 15 double-doubles rank third nationally by value.
» Alli Zajac grabbed a career-best six rebounds.
» Ainhoa Cea recorded her 13th game with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season as she posted seven points, six rebounds, and five assists. Cea also swiped three steals, her ninth game with three or more steals this season.
» Sisi Eleko's 66.7% clip from the field is the ninth best single-game shooting performance in program history.
» Eastern and Toledo met for the 96th time, the most between Eastern and an out-of-state opponent.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 29 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs two more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds, at Toledo, Feb. 14. Currently averaging 17.9 points and 10.3 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 15 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fifth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in points (17.9) and first in the MAC in rebounds per game (10.3). Her 10.3 boards per game stand 20th 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
Sisi 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. She currently stands fourth in career scoring in program history averaging 17.9 points per game.

ELEKO AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Averaging 17.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, Sisi Eleko is one of 24 players nationally averaging a double-double, and the only player in the MAC to do so.

ELEKO NCAA ACTIVE DBL-DBLS RANKING
Sisi Eleko's 49 career double-doubles rank fourth among active NCAA Division I players, should she reach 50, she would be just the third active player to total 50 or more, joining Maine's Adrianna Smith (52), Loyola Maryland's Lex Therien (57), and Reagan Beers from Oklahoma (62).

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 23 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in eight, the second most in the conference. She is the only MAC player to rank inside the top two in points per game, rebounds per game OR assists per game. Eleko currently leads the MAC with 10.3 rebounds per game and ranks second with 17.9 points.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 29 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 51 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 67 games to total 29 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 56.9% (29-of-51) 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 rebounds per game (10.3) and ranking second in points (17.9), 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 eight points against Toledo, Feb. 14, Peyton Hill totals 356 points this season, the eighth most by an EMU freshman in program history. With five regular-season games remaining and factoring in her 14.8 points per game average, Hill is expected to end the season with roughly 430 points, which would be the third-highest total from an EMU freshman all time. She needs three points to pass Alyssa Pittman (358, 2006-07) and 38 to eclipse Holly Mitchell (393, 1997-98).

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) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 10+ point games. Hill most recently scored eight points versus Toledo, Feb. 14.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 14.8 points per game and 83.0% clip from the free throw line lead MAC freshmen. Her 38.0% rate from beyond the arc and 46.4% mark from the field ranks fourth among the league's freshmen.
AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 83.0% from the line, the fourth best mark in the conference and best from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 83.0% clip would stand fifth 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 Bulls 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 88 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 one double-double to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, two to tie for the most in program history, and three to be the sole record owner.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per contest, making her one of six 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 (50.4%) as she has the best three-point shooting percentage of the group. Cea joins an elite list of three-time All-American Olivia Miles (TCU) and the nation's assists leader (8.5 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).

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 three of her last four contests, scoring 22 points at UMass, Feb. 4, a career-best 27 against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, and 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 four 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 Buffalo, Eastern can increase its overall win total by 10 from the 2024-25 season, while advancing its home-win total by seven, and MAC-win total by four.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 75.1% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC. Twenty-four games in, EMU's 75.1% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 2.5% 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 nine of 25 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 (83.0%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks fourth 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 1,629 points are scored by the starting five, as it has accounted for 86.3% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 83.4% of the Eagles' total minutes.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 9-4 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 47.5%. 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 13 losses. Eastern is also 10-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 15-of-24 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 23 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (10.3 rebounds per game, first in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.7 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.5 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Sisi Eleko highlighted the EMU rebounders against Toledo, Feb. 14, corralling 12, marking her 15th 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 five of her last 10 games with her highest single-game total being 10 at Indiana, Dec. 14, and most recently at Buffalo, Jan. 28. Cea's 10 rebounds against the Hoosiers and Bulls are the most 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 24 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 17 of her first 24 games, with her highest total being 12 at Ohio, Jan. 7, and at Buffalo, Jan. 28. Cea's 12 assists against the Bobcats/Bulls tie for the most in a single game in the MAC and are the fifth-most nationally by value. Cea's 6.1 assists per game rank second in the conference and 13th nationally. The senior's 6.1 assists per game average, should it hold, would break the program's single-season record. The record is currently held by Cassie Schrock, who averaged 5.9 in the 2010-11 season. Schrock dished 220 assists that season. Cea most recently totaled four assists against Ball State, Feb. 10.

CEA SINGLE-SEASON TOTAL ASSISTS
Ainhoa Cea totals 147 assists this season, the eighth most in one season in program history. Her total is the most since Desyree Thomas posted 174 in the 2011-12 campaign. Cea needs seven assists to pass Stephanie Smiley for the seventh spot as she recorded 153 dimes in 2000-01.

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 37.5 minutes per game. Cea's 37.5 minutes per game are a career high and are 8.7 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played 40 minutes against Toledo, Feb. 14.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded 13 games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, doing so in eight of her last 15 games, most recently at Toledo, Feb. 14 (seven points, five assists, six rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.8 points, 6.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. She is shooting 50.4% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Sisi Eleko needs one double-double to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, two total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history, and three to be the sole record owner. Brooklyn Thrash needs 22 triples to hit 100 in her NCAA career and 156 rebounds to total 500. Ainhoa Cea needs 18 rebounds to reach the same mark

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 156 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 Miami University Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m., at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Mich.

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.

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Alli Zajac

Eastern Michigan Athletics