Looking for Playoff Push, Women's Hoops Hosts MAC-Best Miami Wednesday Night

Women's Basketball vs. Miami
Dates/Times	Wednesday \| Feb. 25 \| 6:30 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Tickets	Purchase Here
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Listen Live	WEMU (89.1 FM) \| The Varsity Network
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- On the outside looking in in the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament field, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team looks for an upset win over MAC-leaders Miami University Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley, Claire Dau, and Elena Davis on the call, while Tom Helmer and EMU women's basketball alumni Nikki Knapp will call the action courtside on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network. 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 12-13 (5-9 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 10 wins from its 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record last season.
» Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh previously spent two seasons (2019-21) as an assistant at Miami. During her tenure, three Miami players received all-conference honors and she was mainly responsible for coordinating the team's defense.
» With four regular-season games remaining and currently standing ninth in the MAC with a 4-9 record, EMU needs to need to go 3-1 the remainder of the season with help required from other teams to make the MAC tournament.
» Eastern fell in the Eagles and RedHawks' first meeting of the season at Miami, 69-55, Jan. 14
» Eastern and Miami are meeting for the 72nd time. Eastern holds a 25-46 record against the RedHawks and a 13-22 mark when facing them in Ypsilanti.
» Eastern most recently beat Buffalo, 73-63, improving to 12-13 (5-9 MAC) on the season, Feb. 21.
» 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.
» 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 5-9 record. Based on the last five seasons, Eastern is expected to need to go 3-1 in the remaining four games and receive help from other teams, primarily from Bowling Green (7-8 MAC) and Kent State (7-7 MAC), to make the cut. Should Eastern end the season in a tie with the Falcons, EMU would win the tiebreaker as it topped BGSU, 86-76, Dec. 30. The Golden Flashes would take the tiebreaker over the Eagles after they beat EMU, 78-65, Jan. 10.

Eastern has remaining games against:
vs. Miami (1st - 13-1 MAC), Feb. 25
at Northern Illinois (12th - 2-13 MAC), Feb. 28
vs. Ohio (5th - 9-5 MAC), March 4
at Akron (T10th - 4-10 MAC), March 7

EMU will be facing all three teams for the second time this season. It previously:
»Lost at Miami, 69-55, Jan. 14.
»Topped Northern Illinois, 72-62, Jan. 24.
»Fell at Ohio, 96-87, Jan. 7.

Bowling Green's Remaining Schedule
at Ohio (9-5 MAC), Feb. 25
at Central Michigan (10-5 MAC), March 4
vs. Northern Illinois (2-13 MAC), March 7

Kent State's Remaining Schedule
at UMass (11-3 MAC), Feb. 25
vs. Central Michigan (10-5 MAC), Feb. 28
at Miami (13-1 MAC), March 4
vs. Western Michigan (4-10 MAC), March 7

NATIONALLY RANKED WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 12-13 (5-9 MAC) record currently represents a 10-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 14-win jump. The Eagles' 10-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2009-10 squad improved by 14 wins (22-9, 11-5 MAC) from the 2008-09 team's 8-21 (4-12 MAC) record.

NUSSEIBEH AT MIAMI
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh previously spent two seasons on the Miami staff from 2019-21. During her tenure, 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).
As the defensive coordinator, Nusseibeh was responsible for developing and implementing all aspects of team and individual defensive concepts. She also worked on game planning the team's defensive strategies and oversaw all defensive play calls and in-game adjustments during timeouts and in-game action.

ALL-TIME VS. MIAMI
Eastern and Miami are meeting for the 72nd time. The Eagles trail, 25-46, in the all-time series and have lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2002-05. Eastern previously won six straight, giving it a 6-4 record in the last 10 games against the RedHawks. Three of the last four games have been decided by 10 or more points.

FIRST TIME BEATING MIAMI SINCE
Eastern is looking to beat Miami for the first time since Jan. 17, 2024, a 53-48 home win for the Eagles after coming back from a 34-32 third-quarter deficit.

LAST TIME AGAINST MIAMI, L, 69-55, JAN. 14
Eastern lost on the road to Miami, who was 13-4 on the season and 5-0 in league play, 69-55, Jan. 14. Ainhoa Cea and Sisi Eleko led the attack for EMU. Cea filled up the box score, recording 10 points with eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while shooting 2-for-3 from three-point range. Eleko scored 19 points off 7-for-15 shooting, with six rebounds, and a season-high four assists.

LAST TIME AT HOME AGAINST MIAMI
Despite trailing by 23 at halftime, Eastern mounted a ferocious comeback thanks to 8-of-11 three-point shooting in the third quarter, but it was not enough as the Eagles dropped an 82-72 overtime decision to visiting Miami, Feb. 26, 2025, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti. The Eagles saw four players score in double figures, including Brooklyn Thrash, who tallied a then-career-high 16 points, and Sisi Eleko, who tallied her 13th double-double of the year (14 points, 16 rebounds), as the RedHawks escaped with the win. The 82-72 overtime loss to Miami, Feb. 26, 2025, was the second overtime game in the Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and the only against a MAC foe, as the Eagles are 1-2 in overtime under Nusseibeh. Before last season, the last time the Eagles and RedHawks played an overtime game was Jan. 28, 2003, an 83-79 win for Miami in Oxford. EMU is 1-2 all-time against the RedHawks in overtime.

NOTABLES LAST TIME AGAINST MIAMI
» EMU started Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Believe Tshibangu, and Peyton Hill for the second time this season, marking just the second starting five variation for the Eagles in 2025-26. EMU was previously one of 14 known schools to start the same five every game this season.
» The EMU bench scored 21 points, its most of the season when facing a Division I opponent, as it outscored Miami's bench, 21-9. The game marked the fifth time EMU's bench has outscored its opponent as Eastern is 3-3 when doing so.

NUSSEIBEH VS. FORMER INSTITUTIONS
Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is 2-5 when facing her former institutions in her Eastern Michigan tenure and 2-1 this season when doing so. EMU most recently beat Bowling Green, 86-76, on Dec. 30, where Nusseibeh worked as an assistant from 2013-16. Eastern first topped Canisius, 70-39, where Nusseibeh served as head coach from 2021-24, Nov. 7.

NIKKI KNAPP ON THE CALL
After returning to her alma mater for alumni day against Buffalo, Feb. 21, EMU Athletics E-Club Hall of Famer Nikki Knapp will call the game live on WEMU (89.1 FM) alongside Tom Helmer.

Knapp's Bio
Graduated in 2008...Four-year starter on the EMU women's basketball team from 2002-06...Led EMU to a four-year overall record of 80-30, conference record of 47-17, two WNIT post-season appearances and one NCAA Tournament appearance...Named All-MAC Second Team twice in the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons, third team in the 2004-05 season, and was named to the MAC's All-Freshman team in 2002-03...Member of the 2003-04 MAC Championship Team and named to the MAC All-Tournament team...Earned MAC Player of the Week twice in Dec. 2005 and Dec. 2004...Carried a career 12.6 scoring average and 6.7 rebound average per game and a career .504 field goal percentage...Finished EMU career with 1,511 points, 411 free-throws, 543 field goals, 120 games played, 104 game starts, 3,281 minutes played, 16 double-doubles, and an EMU all-time record of 802 rebounds.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. BUFFALO, FEB. 21, W, 73-63
Sisi Eleko's 23 points led Eastern in a 73-63 Mid-American Conference win over Buffalo inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center Saturday, Feb. 21. Eleko's nine 20-point games rank second in the MAC as the Eagles captured their first MAC win since they previously beat Buffalo on the road, Jan. 28, snapping a four-game losing streak. Along with Eleko, Eastern had strong performances from Peyton Hill (15 points, three rebounds, three assists), Fernanda Ovalle (14 points, five rebounds), and Ainhoa Cea (six points, seven assists, four rebounds).

NOTABLES VS. BUFFALO, FEB. 21, W, 73-63
» The Eagles were outrebounded (24-40) for the eighth time this season, and their record improved to 2-6 and 3-24 under Nusseibeh when doing so. Eastern's only other win this season when being outrebounded came Dec. 9, 2025, in a 74-72 home win against Duquesne, where it lost the board battle, 36-30. It was also the first time the Eagles had won a game when being outrebounded by more than 10 since Feb. 4, 2023, in a 68-54 victory over CMU, where they lost by 18.
» After winning just one MAC game last season, Eastern quintupled its MAC win total with a victory over the Bulls Saturday.
» EMU turned the ball over a season low 12 times, it has recorded 12 on three other occasions this season and its record when doing so improved to 3-1.
» EMU is 8-3 or better at home for the first time since 2022-23.
» Saturday's victory and the Eagles' Jan. 28 victory over Buffalo marked the first time beating the Bulls twice in a season since 2015-16.
» The victory was Eastern Michigan's 650th win as a program, 348 came at home. This is the first milestone victory to come at home since its 450th, March 2, 2011, against Western Michigan.

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 18.1 points and 10.1 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 (18.1) and first in the MAC in rebounds per game (10.1). Her 10.1 boards per game stand 26th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (7.8), checking in at No. 15 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 10.1 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 18.0 points per game.

ELEKO AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Averaging 18.1 points and 10.1 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 (53), Loyola Maryland's Lex Therien (57), and Reagan Beers from Oklahoma (63).

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 24 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in nine, 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 10.1 rebounds per game and ranks second with 18.1 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 nine 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 15 points against Buffalo, Feb. 21, Peyton Hill totals 371 points this season, the seventh most by an EMU freshman in program history. With four 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 23 points to eclipse Holly Mitchell (393, 1997-98) for the No. 6 spot.

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 (20) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 10+ point games. Hill most recently scored 15 points against Buffalo, Feb. 21.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 14.8 points per game, 81.9% clip from the free throw line, and 38.0% rate from beyond the arc lead MAC freshmen. Her 46.4% mark from the field ranks third among the league's freshmen.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 81,9% from the line, the sixth best mark in the conference and best from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 81.9% clip would stand seventh 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 42 paint points in the win over Buffalo, Feb. 21, marking its ninth time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing an 8-1 record when doing so.

SEXTUPLING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL
The win against Buffalo, Feb. 21, marked the Eagles' fifth MAC win of the season, quintupling the one MAC victory they had last season. Eastern's only MAC win last year came on the road at Northern Illinois, 76-72, Feb. 22. Eastern can sextuple its MAC win total with a victory over the RedHawks Wednesday.

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage this season. The Eagles are 8-3 at home while outscoring opponents by 6.3 points per game. EMU averages 73.1 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 66.8. The Eagles outshoot opponents, 45.6%-40.4%. The rebounding margin sits at plus 1.5, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 10.4 rebounds per home contest and scores 19.3 points per game on 49.0% shooting. Peyton Hill averages 17.0 points at home with 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 52.2% from the field and 43.6% from three-point range.

HOT AT HOME
Eastern is 8-3 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 8-3 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 9-3 home start or better for the first time since 2018-19.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 202 to 176 in first quarters, 378 to 341 across first halves, and 217 to 190 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 an 8-3 mark this season.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 237 to 196 in fourth quarters. Most recently, Eastern was outscored by Buffalo, 18-12 in the fourth quarter for the 73-63 win, Feb. 21.

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.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 65 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 6.2 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 49.0% or better from the field (49.3%) as she has the best three-point shooting percentage of the group (35.9%). Cea joins an elite list that includes three-time All-American Olivia Miles (TCU).

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 five 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 four 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             12          10
Non-Con           1             7             6
Home 1             8             7
Away    1             4             3
MAC     1             5             4
MAC Home      0             4             4
MAC Away        1             1             --

With a win over Miami, Eastern can increase its overall win total by 11 from the 2024-25 season, while advancing its home-win total by eight, and MAC-win total by five.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 75.3% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC. Twenty-five games in, EMU's 75.3% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 2.7% 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 17 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 (81.9%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks sixth 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 1,702 points are scored by the starting five, as it has accounted for 86.5% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 83.3% of the Eagles' total minutes.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 10-4 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 12 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 nine of EMU's 12 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-25 games this season while holding a clean 9-0 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 24 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (10.1 rebounds per game, first in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.6 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.5 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Sisi Eleko and Fernanda Ovalle highlighted the EMU rebounders against Buffalo, Feb. 21, corralling five boards each.

WINNING FORMULA SHOWS BALANCE
Across all 12 victories, EMU posts a +14.4-scoring margin and holds opponents to 58.4 points per game. The Eagles shoot 44.4% from the floor while limiting opponents to 36.4%. Rebounding stands out at +5.8 per game. EMU also shoots 78.9% from the free-throw line, compared to 68.2% for opponents. Peyton Hill averages 17.0 points per game in wins, shoots 49.6% from the field, pulls down 4.6 rebounds, and grabs 1.3 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 18.8 points and 11.2 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 13.5 points per game. Ainhoa Cea aids, scoring 5.8 points, with 6.8 assists, and 4.8 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. Cea most recently grabbed four rebounds against Buffalo, Feb. 21.

AINHOA'S AID
Senior Ainhoa Cea has distributed the ball effectively in her first season as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 18 of her first 25 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 11th 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 seven dimes in the win over Buffalo, Feb. 21.

CEA SINGLE-SEASON TOTAL ASSISTS
Ainhoa Cea totals 154 assists this season, the seventh most in one season in program history. Her total is the most since Desyree Thomas posted 174 in the 2011-12 campaign. Cea needs five assists to pass Stephanie Smiley for the seventh spot as she recorded 158 dimes in 1998-99.

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 third 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 38 minutes against Buffalo, Feb. 21.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded 14 games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, doing so in each of her last two games, most recently against Buffalo, Feb. 21 (six points, seven assists, four rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.8 points, 6.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. She is shooting 49.3% from the field and 35.9% 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 21 triples to hit 100 in her NCAA career and 156 rebounds to total 500. Ainhoa Cea needs 14 rebounds to reach the same mark

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 157 consecutive games, tying for the second-longest stretch since the start of the 1999-00 season as they first did so, Dec. 9, 2014, to Nov. 29, 2020. 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.

ON THE HORIZON
Eastern faces Northern Illinois University for the last time as Mid-American Conference members at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Ill., Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. ET.

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 team on Instagram (@EMUWBB).

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Believe Tshibangu

Eastern Michigan Athletics