Women's Basketball Slated for Last MAC Matchup with Northern Illinois Saturday

Saturday, February 28

DeKalb, Ill.

1 p.m. CT

Eastern Michigan University

Northern Illinois

Fernanda Ovalle dribbles the basketball at home against Miami, Feb. 25, 2026

Photo by: Alex Paslawski

Women's Basketball Slated for Last MAC Matchup with Northern Illinois Saturday

2/26/2026 7:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Eagles and Huskies tipoff at 2 p.m. ET at the Convocation Center in DeKalb, Ill.

Women's Basketball at Northern Illinois
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Feb. 28 \| 2 p.m. ET
Venue	Convocation Center \| DeKalb, Ill.
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Listen Live	WEMU (89.1 FM) \| The Varsity Network
Live Stats	Sidearm Stats
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team looks to make a push for the Mid-American Conference Tournament as it will face Northern Illinois University for the final time as MAC foes, Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m., at the Convocation Center.

Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+ while Greg Steiner will call the action 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 12-14 (5-10 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.
» With three regular-season games remaining and currently standing 10th in the MAC with a 5-10 record, EMU needs to go 3-0 the remainder of the season with help required from other teams to make the MAC tournament.
» Eastern took the first meeting between the Eagles and Huskies at home this season, 72-62, Jan. 24.
» Eastern and NIU are meeting for the 67th time. Eastern holds a 42-24 record against the Huskies and a 20-13 mark when facing them in DeKalb.
» Eastern and NIU are meeting for the final time as MAC opponents.
» Eastern most recently lost to Miami, 78-60, falling to 12-14 (5-10 MAC) on the season, Feb. 25.
» 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 10th in the conference with a 5-10 record. Based on the last five seasons, Eastern is expected to need to go 3-0 in the remaining three games and receive help from other teams, primarily from Bowling Green (8-8 MAC), Kent State (7-8 MAC), and Western Michigan (5-10 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, and the Broncos currently hold the tiebreaker over Eastern as they defeated the Eagles, 59-54, Jan. 31.

Eastern has remaining games against:
at Northern Illinois (12th - 2-13 MAC), Feb. 28
vs. Ohio (5th - 9-6 MAC), March 4
at Akron (11th - 4-11 MAC), March 7

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

Bowling Green's Remaining Schedule
at Central Michigan (4th - 11-5 MAC), March 4
vs. Northern Illinois (12th - 2-13 MAC), March 7

Kent State's Remaining Schedule
vs. Central Michigan (4th - 11-5 MAC), Feb. 28
at Miami (1st - 14-1 MAC), March 4
vs. Western Michigan (9th - 5-10 MAC), March 7

Western Michigan's Remaining Schedule
vs. UMass (3rd - 12-3), Feb. 28
vs. Toledo (6th - 8-7), March 4
at Kent State (8th - 7-8), March 7

NATIONALLY RANKED WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 12-14 (5-10 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.

ALL-TIME VS. NIU
Eastern Michigan and NIU will meet for the 67th time overall and 34th time in DeKalb dating back to the series' first meeting, a 76-69 road win for EMU, Nov. 24, 1981. Eastern is 42-24 when facing the Huskies and 20-13 when playing them in DeKalb. The Eagles are 4-6 against NIU in the last 10 matchups as they are seeking three-consecutive victories against the Huskies for the first time since they did so from 2014-16. Eastern also has the opportunity to win consecutive road games against the Huskies for the first time since it accomplished the feat in the 2017-18 season (Jan. 20 and March 5) in a year where the two programs met three times.

COACHING TIES
Eastern Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh and NIU Head Coach Jacey Brooks previously crossed paths as assistants at Bowling Green from 2013-16. In that time, Nusseibeh helped lead the Falcons to a 2013-14 Mid-American Conference regular-season crown after the team went 30-5 overall and 17-1 in league play. She recruited and coached five All-MAC honorees, including an All-America selection, and played a key role in helping Bowling Green earn three-straight WBCA Top-25 Team Academic Awards. Overall, the Falcons went 49-44 in the time Nusseibeh and Brooks were there. Both coaches also spent time at Canisius as Nusseibeh was the Golden Griffins' head coach from 2021-23, while Brooks was an assistant there from 2010-13. Additionally, NIU Assistant Coach E.C. Hill was the head coach at Montverde Academy (Fla.), in the 2018-19 season, coaching current Eagle Fernanda Ovalle. In their one-season overlap, the team earned its highest ranking in the USA Today poll at No.15 as it defeated three nationally ranked teams. Additionally, EMU assistant Emily Hays and NIU assistant Mark Schwitzgable previously coached together at Valparaiso in the 2021-22 season.

LAST TIME AGAINST NIU, JAN. 24, W, 72-62
Eastern beat NIU, 72-62, capturing its second consecutive MAC victory, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Jan. 24. The win marked the first occurrence of consecutive MAC wins for the Eagles since 2023, and the first time with consecutive MAC wins in the same season since the 2022-23 campaign. Four Eagles scored in double figures, led by Sisi Eleko's 10th double-double of the season, scoring a season-best 25 points while grabbing 15 rebounds. Fernanda Ovalle aided, scoring 14 points off 6-for-13 shooting, with three rebounds. Peyton Hill scored 12 points and tied her career high with eight rebounds, and Brooklyn Thrash bucketed 10 points off 50% shooting (3-for-6), while securing 10 rebounds. Ainhoa Cea controlled the offense, dishing six assists while scoring eight points off a perfect 100% clip (4-for-4). She also grabbed two rebounds.

NOTABLES LAST TIME AGAINST NIU
» With the win over NIU, Eastern won consecutive conference games for the first time since it beat Ohio in the final game of the 2022-23 season, 74-64, March 4, and topped NIU in the first league game of the 2023-24 campaign, 67-49, Jan. 3, 2024. EMU has also won consecutive MAC games in the same season since the 2022-23 season, when Eastern beat NIU in overtime, 66-61, Jan. 21, followed by a 63-51 win at Western Michigan, Jan. 25.
» With the win over the Huskies, EMU tabbed consecutive victories against the Huskies for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
» The game marked NIU's final in Ypsilanti as a member of the Mid-American Conference.
» Eastern beat NIU at home for the first time since Jan. 21, 2023.
»Eastern was 18-20 from the free-throw line, marking the fourth time in the Nusseibeh era (2024-present) that the Eagles have shot 90% or higher at the free-throw line, as they are 4-0 in such games.
» EMU blocked six shots, its third-highest total of the season and second most against an NCAA Division I foe. Eastern was led by Brooklyn Thrash, who tied a career high with three blocks, her most of the season in a single game.
» Eastern scored 44 paint points, marking its sixth time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint.
» Eastern led for 34:33 of game time while NIU led for 1:05. The game was tied for 4:19 and featured four lead changes.
» Both teams shot 48.0% from the floor as EMU made 26-of-52 field-goal attempts and NIU converted on 27-of-56. It was the first time this season that both EMU and its opponent had the same shooting percentage, marking the second time under Nusseibeh.
» EMU matched its season low with just 12 turnovers.
» The win over NIU was just the second of the season where EMU's opponent shoots better than 45.0%. After the win over Toledo, Jan. 20, where the Rockets shot 52.8% from the field, Eastern has won consecutive games where its opponent shot better than 45.0%.
» Eastern Michigan never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.

LAST TIME ON THE ROAD AGAINST NIU
Eastern earned its first conference win of the season on the road in DeKalb, erasing a 10-point deficit to beat NIU, 76-72, Feb. 22, 2025. Four players scored in double figures for the Eagles as they snapped an 18-game losing streak to earn the first road win and MAC win of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present). The win marked the second and final victory of the year.

ONE LAST DANCE
Eastern and NIU are meeting for the final time as MAC opponents as the Huskies will depart for the Horizon League after the 2025-26 academic year in all sports except football, where it will join the ranks of the Mountain West Conference.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. MIAMI, L, 78-60, FEB. 25
Eastern fell to Miami, 78-60, Wednesday, Feb. 25, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Fernanda Ovalle led the Eagles with 21 points off 50.0% (7-of-14) shooting with five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and one steal.

NOTABLES VS MIAMI, FEB. 25
» The Eagles had 23 points off the bench, their most since they had 50 bench points against Defiance College, Dec. 5th, 2025. EMU's 23 bench points are the second-highest total.
» Eastern turned the ball over 12 times, tying its season low for a fifth time and a third consecutive game. They fell to 3-2 when doing so.
» Fernanda Ovalle scored 21 points, including eight first-half points. It was her 15th game this season in double figures and her sixth time scoring 20 points or more. Her four assists marked her sixth time with at least three this season, while her two blocks marked her fourth time with multiple rejections in 2026.
» Alli Zajac scored a career high eight first-half points as she ended the contest with 10, her second double-digit scoring game this season. She also swiped a career-best two steals.
» Believe Tshibangu recorded 11 points, her third time eclipsing double digits and her first time since her 11-point performance against Defiance College, Dec. 5th, 2025. She also recorded the first steal of her career
» Sisi Eleko scored 10 points for the 25th time this season as she has done so in every game she has played in. Eleko has 92 double-digit performances in her career.

THIRD STARTING FIVE OF THE YEAR
In the absence of Peyton Hill against Miami, Eastern rolled out just its third starting-five variation of the year (Brooklyn Thrash, Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Sisi Eleko, Paula Balada). The start marked the first for Balada's career as she played a career-best 35 minutes. Prior to Jan. 14, Eastern was one of 14 known schools to start the same five every game.

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.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has 15 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and sixth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in points (17.9) and first in the MAC in rebounds per game (9.9). Her 9.9 boards per game stand 29th nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (7.7), checking in at No. 16 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 10.0 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 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 25 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 9.9 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 54.7% (29-of-53) 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 (9.9) 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.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 53 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.

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 415 points, which would be the fifth-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 in the 2017-18 season. 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 seventh-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.

ZAJAC'S INCREASED PRODUCTION
Freshman Alli Zajac has stepped up her play in the last four games, improving upon her previous 16 games played.

Zajac's First 16 Games
4.8 MPG, 1.4 PPG, 29.2 FG%, 35.7 3P%, 0.9 RPG

Zajac's Last Four Games
11.6 MPG, 7.0 PPG, 45.8 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 3.0 RPG

The stretch has seen her record her first two games with 10+ points, scoring a career-best 13 vs. Ball State, Feb. 10, and most recently nothing 10 versus Miami, Feb. 25.

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 Huskies 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 8-4 at home while outscoring opponents by 4.3 points per game. EMU averages 72.0 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 67.8. The Eagles outshoot opponents, 45.2%-40.6%. Sisi Eleko averages 10.0 rebounds per home contest and scores 18.6 points per game on 48.1% 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 8-4 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 8-4 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 9-4 home start or better for the first time since 2018-19.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. It outscores opponents 214 to 200 in first quarters, 403 to 389 across first halves, and 228 to 205 in the fourth quarter.

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.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.6 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 has the best three-point shooting percentage (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 3 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 NIU, Eastern can increase its overall win total by 11 from the 2024-25 season, while advancing its road-win total by four, MAC-win total by five, and road-MAC win sum by one.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 74.9% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC. Twenty-six games in, EMU's 74.9% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 2.3% 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 26 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 seventh 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 1,762 points are scored by the starting five, as it has accounted for 85.6% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 82.4% of the Eagles' total minutes. Eastern is one of three known schools nationally where the traditional starting five accounts for 85.0% or more of the team's total points.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 10-5 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 47.2%. 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 nine of EMU's 14 losses. Eastern is also 10-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 15-of-26 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 25 games with its largest margin being +23 in the 96-44 win vs. Defiance, Dec. 5. Along with Sisi Eleko (9.9 rebounds per game, first in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.5 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.5 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Sisi Eleko highlighted the EMU rebounders against Miami, Feb. 25, corralling six boards.

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 three rebounds against Miami, Feb. 25.

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 26 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 dimes against Miami, Feb. 25.

CEA SINGLE-SEASON TOTAL ASSISTS
Ainhoa Cea totals 158 assists this season, tying Stephanie Smiley (1998-99) for the sixth most in one season in program history. Her total is the most since Desyree Thomas posted 174 in the 2011-12 campaign. Cea needs one assist to take sole ownership of the No. 6 spot, and 13 to surpass Cassie Schrock for the No. 5 spot as she dished 170 assists in the 2009-10 campaign.

AINHOA CEA 10+ ASSIST GAMES
Ainhoa Cea 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 37.6 minutes per game. Cea's 37.6 minutes per game are a career high and 8.8 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played 39 minutes against Miami, Feb. 25.

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 two of her last three games, most recently against Buffalo, Feb. 21 (six points, seven assists, four rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.6 points, 6.1 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. She is shooting 48.6% 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 11 rebounds to reach the same mark

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 158 consecutive games, 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 will honor its senior class of Sisi Eleko, Brooklyn Thrash, Ainhoa Cea, and Artemis Kouki in its final home game of the season against Ohio University Wednesday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti.

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.