Women's Basketball Hosts Arkansas State in Second Leg of MAC-SBC Challenge

Women's Basketball vs. Arkansas State (MAC-SBC Challenge)
Dates/Times	Saturday \| Feb. 7 \| 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) -- In search of its second all-time MAC-SBC Challenge victory, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team hosts Arkansas State University in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge Saturday, Feb. 7, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, at 2 p.m.

Fans can purchase tickets here and stream the game live on ESPN+, where Ryan Wooley, Claire Dau, and Elena Davis will have the call courtside. 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 10-11 (4-7 MAC).
» Eastern is tied for the second-largest win improvement in the nation from the 2024-25 season to the 2025-26 campaign, as it has improved by eight wins from its 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record last season.
» Eastern fell on the road at Louisiana Monroe, 80-71, to open the 2025-26 season in the first leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge, Nov. 3.
» Eastern is 1-4 all time in the MAC-SBC Challenge and 1-1 when playing at home. It last won a MAC-SBC Challenge game when it topped South Alabama at home, 81-69, in the second leg of the 2023-24 challenge, Feb. 10, 2024.
» Eastern was defeated by Texas State, 75-71, in its last home MAC-SBC Challenge game, Nov. 4, 2024.
» Eastern and Arkansas State are meeting for the first time in program history.
» Eastern is 10-10 all time against the Sun Belt Conference.
» Eastern most recently dropped a road contest at UMass, 75-60, Feb. 4. UMass jumped out to a 22-5 lead after the first quarter and 44-21 advantage at halftime, besting EMU, 75-60.
» With wins over Toledo, Jan. 20, Northern Illinois, Jan. 24, and Buffalo, Jan. 28, EMU recently earned three consecutive MAC victories for the first time under Nusseibeh and for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
» Senior Sisi Eleko was named Preseason All-MAC First Team after earning second-team honors in the 2024-25 regular season where she led the MAC in double-doubles (14) and rebounds per game (10.1) while ranking second with 17.9 points per game.
» EMU returns just Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash from the 2024-25 squad. It totals 13 newcomers, including six transfers.
» EMU has nine international players, tying for the fourth most nationally and the most in the MAC.
NATIONALLY RANKED WIN IMPROVEMENT
Eastern's 10-11 (4-7 MAC) record currently represents an eight-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season, tying Long Island (14-8, 9-2 NEC) for the second-largest improvement nationally by number of wins. Arizona State (19-5, 6-5 Big 12) and McNeese State (19-4, 13-1 Southland) lead the nation with nine-win jumps, respectively. The Eagles' eight-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2013-14 squad improved by 10 wins (18-14, 7-11 MAC) from the 2021-22 team's 8-22 (6-10 MAC) record.

LAST TIME IN THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
Eastern dropped its season opener at Louisiana Monroe, 80-71, in the MAC-SBC Challenge inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum, Nov. 3. Sisi Eleko led the Eagles with 25 points off 9-for-19 shooting while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. Freshman Peyton Hill added 15 points while shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line with three rebounds and four assists. Brooklyn Thrash scored 11 points and corralled five rebounds.
» Peyton Hill collected 15 points, becoming the first EMU freshman to hit the double-digit mark in their collegiate debut since Olivia Smith scored 13 in a win over Lindenwood, Nov. 7, 2022. She added four rebounds and four assists.
» Peyton Hill's 15 points were the most by a MAC freshman in their NCAA debut this season.
» Fernanda Ovalle, Ainhoa Cea, Peyton Hill, Alli Zajac, Artemis Kouki, Oliwia Pelka, and Sarah Rekowksi each made their respective EMU debuts.

ALL TIME VS. ARK ST./SBC
Eastern and Arkansas State are meeting for the first time as EMU holds a 10-10 all-time record against the Sun Belt Conference and a 1-4 clip in the MAC-SBC Challenge, including a 1-1 mark in home MAC-SBC Challenge contests. EMU aims to win its first game against an SBC opponent since topped South Alabama at home, 81-69, in the second leg of the 2023-24 challenge, Feb. 10, 2024.

LAST WIN VS. THE SBC/IN THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
EMU last beat an SBC opponent when it topped South Alabama at home, 81-69, in the second leg of the 2023-24 MAC-SBC Challenge, Feb. 10, 2024. The Eagles saw five players score in double figures, led by Tayra Eke, who had 13 points. Olivia Smith added 12 points from the bench and Kennedi Myles recorded her third consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Eastern Michigan collected 30 rebounds compared to South Alabama's 18, led by Treasure Thompson's 11 boards. The Eagles also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into 12 second-chance points. Eastern Michigan forced 23 South Alabama turnovers. The Eagles turned those takeaways into 28 points on the other end of the floor. Olivia Westphal's four steals led the way for the Green and White.

PRESIDENTIAL MATCHUP
Current Eastern Michigan president-elect Brendan Kelly previously served as the president at Arkansas State from September 2024 through December 2025.

LAST TIME AT HOME IN THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
Eastern built a big lead in the third quarter, but was unable to hang on for the victory as the Eagles dropped the 2024-25 season opener to visiting Texas State, 75-71, Nov. 4, 2024, in the first game of the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era. The game saw both teams eager to move the ball up and down the court. The fast-paced first quarter closed with the Bobcats in the lead, 17-15, despite Sisi Eleko pouring in 10 points. The Eagles, however, responded in the second with a 21-13 quarter to stake the hosts to a 36-30 lead at the break. Eastern grew its lead to 17 points with 5:34 remaining in the third, but a barrage of points for the Bobcats saw the visitors bring the third to close with EMU ahead, 58-56. In the fourth, both teams went back and forth, but the hosts were unable to climb back ahead before the final buzzer, as TSU escaped with the 75-71 win.

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

LAST TIME OUT: AT UMASS, FEB. 4, L, 75-60
Eastern dropped a 75-60 contest at UMass in the two programs' first MAC meeting Wednesday, Feb. 4. UMass jumped out to a large first-half lead and never looked back, pacing EMU, 22-5, after the first quarter and 44-21 at halftime. Eastern had strong showings from Sisi Eleko, who recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Peyton Hill notched her fourth 20-point game of the year with 22 points, and Ainhoa Cea controlled the offense with 11 assists while swiping three steals defensively.

NOTABLES AT UMASS, FEB. 4, L, 75-60
»Eastern and UMass met for the first time as Mid-American Conference opponents.
» Eastern had two players (Peyton Hill, 22; Sisi Eleko 20) score 20+ points in the same game for the fifth time this season.
» Peyton Hill recorded her 17th game with double-digit points this season as she scored 22 points, including 10 in the first half of play. The game marked her fourth over 20 points this season, the most from a MAC true freshman.
» Ainhoa Cea recorded 10+ assists for the third time this season and second in the last three games as she dished 11. She also posted three or more steals (three) for the eighth time.
» Sisi Eleko notched her seventh 20+ point game of the season with 20 points off 9-for-18 shooting. Her seven 20-point games are the second most in the conference.
» Sisi Eleko notched her MAC-best 12th double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Her 12 double-doubles rank fifth nationally by value.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has 12 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fifth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in points and rebounds per game, posting 18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds. 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. 15 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in seven categories.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 26 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs five more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds at UMass, Feb. 4.

TWO DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN ONE GAME
Sisi Eleko (19 points, 15 rebounds) and Ainhoa Cea (12 assists, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles in the 71-51 win over Buffalo, Jan. 28. The performances marked Eastern's first time having two players post a double-double in the same game since Tayra Eke and Kennedi Myles did so against Akron, Feb. 7, 2024. Eastern is one of four MAC schools to have two players record a double-double in the same game.

AINHOA CEA: ASSISTS/REBOUNDS DBL DBL
Senior Ainhoa Cea recorded an assists/rebounds double-double (12 assists, 10 rebounds) in the win at Buffalo, Jan. 28. The performance marks the first occurrence of an Eagle recording 10+ in each stat since Eastern legend Ryan Coleman did so in a triple-double performance (21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) against Western Michigan, Feb. 12, 2005. Cea is one of at least 18 players nationally to record 10+ assists and rebounds in the same game this season, and one of two MAC players to accomplish the feat along with Paige Kohler of Bowling Green.

HILL WAS HOOPIN'
Freshman Peyton Hill scored a career-high 25 points in the 76-71 win over Toledo, Jan. 20. Hill reached her career high in points efficiently, shooting 61.5% (8-for-13) from the field.
» Peyton Hill's 25 points are the most by a MAC true freshman in a single game this season.
» Peyton Hill's 25 points are the most from an EMU freshman in a single game since Jenna Annecchiarico scored 26 in an 81-74 win over Bowling Green, Jan. 23, 2019.

PEYTON HILL: FOUR 20-POINT GAMES
Peyton Hill's quartet of 20-point games are the most by a MAC "true" freshman this season and the most by an EMU freshman since Courtnie Lewis reached the mark six times in the 2017-18 campaign. Lewis earned All-MAC Third Team honors that season and was named to the all-freshman team as well. Hill most recently accomplished the feat with 22 points at UMass, Feb. 4.

FRESHMAN 10+/20+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (17) and 20+ point performances (four) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 10+ point games, and six over 20 points in the 2017-18 season. Hill most recently scored 22 points at UMass, Feb. 4.

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.

IMPROBABLE WINS
The 72-62 win over NIU, Jan. 24, is just the second of the season where EMU's opponent shot better than 45.0%. After the win over Toledo, Jan. 20, where the Rockets shot 52.8% from the field, Eastern won consecutive games where its opponent shot better than 45.0% for the first time since the 2011-12 season, when Eastern fought off a 48.0% clip from Toledo in the MAC Tournament, March 9, before enduring a 50.9% rate from Central Michigan to clinch the program's second MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, edging the Chippewas, 72-71. EMU would lose in the first round to No. 12, South Carolina, 80-48. Additionally, EMU won (76-71) despite Toledo's 52.8% clip from the field, Jan. 20, marking the Eagles' first time winning when its opponent shoots better than 50% since it beat Harvard, 85-81, Dec. 8, 2015, after it shot 51.6%.

PAY DAY IN THE PAINT
Eastern scored 44 paint points in the win over Buffalo, Jan. 28, marking its seventh time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing a 6-1 record when doing so. The game also marked EMU's third consecutive with 40+ paint points as it previously posted 44 in the win over NIU, Jan. 24, its most of the season.

QUADRUPLING 2024-25 MAC WIN TOTAL
The win against the Bulls, Jan. 28, marked the Eagles' fourth MAC win of the season, quadrupling the one MAC victory they had last season nine games into the 2025-26 league slate. Eastern's only MAC win last year came on the road at Northern Illinois, 76-72, Feb. 22.

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

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 149 to 114 in first quarters and 279 to 235 across first halves. Opponents shoot only 40.6% overall in home games and 31.5% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 7.3 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions, and transition scoring chances.

HOME STRETCH IS HERE
Beginning with the game against Toledo, Jan. 20, Eastern will play eight of its final 13 games inside the friendly confines of the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where it holds a 6-2 mark this season.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 208 to 163 in fourth quarters. Eastern most recently outscored Buffalo, 20-15 in the fourth, eventually winning, 71-51.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 28 rebounds to reach 1,000 in her NCAA career and 20 to hit 500 as an Eagle, while requiring 139 points to reach 1,000 in Eastern Green and White. Should she meet the standards, Eleko would be the 25th player to score 1,000 points in their EMU career and the 23rd student-athlete to reach 500 rebounds. Furthermore, she needs four double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, five to tie for the most in program history, and six to be the sole record owner.

HILL HEATING UP FROM THREE
Freshman Peyton Hill has caught fire from deep as of late, shooting at least 40.0% in five of her last 10 games as she is averaging 4.2 attempts per game while shooting 39.5% (17-for-43) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to ninth in the MAC in three-point shooting, up to 38.0% (27-for-71) this season, the second-best clip from a MAC freshman. She recently knocked down a pair of triples at UMass, Feb. 4.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per contest, making her one of three players nationally averaging at least 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Of players on that list, she is one of two players shooting 50.0% or better from the field (51.9%) and the only one shooting 35.0% or better from three (35.7%).

OVALLE NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fernanda Ovalle was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, Jan. 6. The junior posted the second double-double of her NCAA career, scoring a career-high 26 points with a season-high 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal, leading the Eagles to an 86-76 victory against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, snapping the Falcons' seven-game win streak.
Ovalle's 26.0 points per game average was the highest in the MAC that week, while her 2.00 blocks per game ranked second, and her 10.0 rebounds per game slotted third. She was efficient offensively against the Falcons, shooting 47.1% (8-for-17) from the field and 88.9% (8-for-9) from the free-throw line. Her eight makes and nine attempts from the free-throw line mark a career-high, as did her 38 minutes played.
The honor marks the first player of the week award of Ovalle's career, as she previously earned Big East Freshman of the Week recognition with the Xavier Musketeers, Nov. 28, 2022.

THREE POTW AWARDS IN ONE SEASON
After Sisi Eleko's MAC Player of the Week awards (Dec. 2 and Dec. 16), and Fernanda Ovalle's, Jan. 6, EMU has earned three or more MAC Player of the Week awards for the first time since the 2011-12 season, when program all-time points leader Tavelyn James earned MAC West Player of the Week six times (Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13, Feb. 20). Additionally, Eastern's three conference player of the week awards lead the MAC.

OVALLE CONSECUTIVE CAREER HIGHS/DBL DBL
Fernanda Ovalle recorded consecutive career highs in points during her hot streak. She scored a then-career-high 22 points at Ball State, Dec. 20, before recording a career-best 26 points in the win against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. Ovalle was aggressive on the boards against the Falcons, securing a season-high 10 rebounds and her first double-double as an Eagle, marking the second of her NCAA career.

OVALLE THREE CONSECUTIVE 20-POINT GAMES
After scoring 24 points at Ohio, Jan. 7, Fernanda Ovalle tallied three straight 20-point outings for the first time in her career as she is the only Eagle to do so this season and one of two MAC players to accomplish the feat. Ovalle started her run with a then-career-high 22 points at Ball State, Dec. 20, before recording a career-best 26 points in the win against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, and 24 points at Ohio, Jan. 7.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 86+ POINTS
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, Jan. 7, and 86 points against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, Eastern scored 86+ points in consecutive games for the first time since the 2013-14 season. That season, EMU scored 95 points in a 95-62 win over Lawrence Tech, Dec. 31, before putting up 88 in an 88-70 victory over Kent State, Jan. 4.
» After scoring 87 points against the Bobcats, Jan. 7, and 86 points against Bowling Green, Dec. 30, Eastern scored 86+ points in consecutive conference games for first time since the 2003-04 season, when the Eagles beat the Akron Zips, 93-37, Jan. 7, prior to besting rivals Central Michigan, 87-50, Jan. 10.
» Eastern is one of three MAC teams to score 86+ points in multiple conference games this season.

BK CONSECUTIVE GAMES 11+ PTS/7+ BOARDS
After a career-best 22-points and seven rebounds at Ohio, Jan. 7, and an 11-point/eight-rebound game against Kent State, Jan. 10, Brooklyn Thrash recorded consecutive games with at least 11 points and seven rebounds for the first time in her career. She averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over the span, while shooting 87.5% (7-for-8) from the free-throw line, and 36.4% (4-for-11) from the field. Thrash scored eight points with four rebounds in the win over Toledo, Jan. 20. She was perfect on the night, going 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

THRASH SCORING/REBOUNDING CONSISTENCY
With Brooklyn Thrash's nine points and five rebounds at Central Michigan, Jan. 17, she posted at least nine points and five boards in 3-of-4 games for the first time in her career. She was also 2-for-4 from three-point range, marking her sixth game with multiple made triples this season and fourth time shooting 40% or better from beyond the arc. She recently hit the mark for the sixth time this season with 10 points and five rebounds in the win over NIU, Jan. 24.

3-STRAIGHT GAMES, MULTIPLE 20-POINT PERFORMANCES
With Fernanda Ovalle (24 points) and Brooklyn Thrash's (22) 20-point outings at Ohio, Jan. 7, Eastern had three consecutive games with multiple 20-point scorers for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign. The streak started with Ovalle (22) and Sisi Eleko (20) each recording 20+ points at Ball State, Dec. 20, prior to Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22), and Eleko (20) doing so against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. The stretch is the Eagles' first since Areanna Combs and Courtnie Lewis did so in the three straight games to end the 2019-20 season against Central Michigan, March 7, Northern Illinois, March 9, and Ball State, March 11.

TRIO OF 20-POINT PERFORMANCES
Fernanda Ovalle (26 points), Peyton Hill (22 points), and Sisi Eleko (20 points) each recorded 20+ points in the 86-76 win against Bowling Green, Dec. 30. This marked the first time the Eagles had three players score 20+ points since Chanise Baldwin (26), Cha Sweeny (24), and Janay Morton (20) did so in the second round of the women's NIT against TCU, March 19, 2016. It's also the first time Eastern has had three individuals with 20+ points in a conference game since at least the 1998-99 season.

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

ELEKO MAC POTW X2
Sisi Eleko collected her second MAC Player of the Week award of the season, Dec. 16. The senior averaged 19.0 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 45.7% from the field with a pair of double-doubles. She was the only MAC player to record two double-doubles on the week. She started her week with 23 points, the most in the conference that week, while grabbing 11 rebounds in a 74-72 win against Duquesne, Dec. 9, a contest where she hit the game-winning layup. Eleko then posted 15 points with a game-high 18 rebounds, the second-most in the MAC and ninth-most in the nation this season, in a hard-fought 74-67 loss on the road at Indiana, Dec. 14.

Eleko is one of three MAC players to earn the award twice this season. She is also the first EMU student-athlete to earn the award twice in the same season since Danielle Minnot was named MAC West Player of the Week in consecutive weeks, in the 2017-18 campaign, Jan. 23 and Jan. 30.

BACKS AGAINST THE WALL
Eastern came back from down six points to start the fourth quarter, beating Toledo, 76-71. This is the third fourth-quarter comeback in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present), second of the 2025-26 season, and the largest since Eastern came back from a 10-point hole to win against NIU, 76-72, Feb. 22, 2025.

HOT AT HOME
Eastern is 6-2 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 6-2 at home. Eastern notably topped Robert Morris in its home opener, Nov. 26, who is receiving votes in the College Insider Mid Major poll, and is predicted to finish second in the Horizon League. EMU also ended Bowling Green's seven-game win streak after topping the Falcons, 86-76. Eastern's last win at home came over NIU, 72-62, Jan. 24. EMU is looking for a 7-2 home start or better for the first time since 2022-23.

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

Win Type          24-25 Total      25-26 Total      Increase
Total     2             10          8
Non-Con           6             1             5
Home 1             6             5
Away    1             4             3
MAC     1             4             3
MAC Home      0             3             3
MAC Away        1             1             --

With a win over Arkansas State, Eastern can win its 11th game of the season. The win would more than quintuple its 2024-25 win total. EMU can also win its seventh home game, seven times the amount it won last season, and its seventh non-conference contest, also seven times its 2024-25 sum.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 76.5% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 36th in the country. Twenty-one games in, EMU's 76.5% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 3.9% 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 21 games this season, and 70% or better in 15 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 (83.3%) 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 68.2 points per game is scored by the starting five, as it has accounted for 86.1% of EMU's total points. The same applies to minutes as well, as Eastern starters have played 83.0% of the Eagles' total minutes. Moreover, EMU is one of two MAC schools to have three players rank inside the top-15 in points per game and the only one with four players inside the top 15 in minutes per game.

CONSISTENT TRENDS
Eastern is 8-3 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in eight of its ten victories. In losses, opponents are shooting 48.1%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 26.3% or worse in seven of EMU's ten wins and 31.3% or better in eight of EMU's 11 losses. Eastern is also 9-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 14-of-21 games this season while holding a clean 8-0 mark when leading at halftime.

CRASHING THE GLASS
Eastern ranks sixth in the MAC with a +2.2 rebounding margin as opponents average 33.1 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 35.3 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in 14 of the last 20 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, second in the MAC), Brooklyn Thrash also carries a sizeable workload when it comes rebounding, averaging 4.8 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.6 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Sisi Eleko highlighted the EMU rebounders at UMass, Feb. 4, corralling 10, marking her 12th double-digit rebounds game this season.

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.

WINNING FORMULA SHOWS BALANCE
Across all 10 victories, EMU posts a +16.0 scoring margin and holds opponents to 56.5 points per game. The Eagles shoot 44.0% from the floor while limiting opponents to 36.3%. Rebounding stands out at +8.0 per game. EMU also shoots 80.6% from the free-throw line, compared to 67.0% for opponents. Peyton Hill averages 16.2 points per game in wins, shoots 46.8% from the field, pulls down 4.5 rebounds, and grabs 1.5 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 18.4 points and 11.4 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 13.5 points per game. Ainhoa Cea aids, scoring 6.0 points, with 6.7 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.

SISI STILL GOT IT
Sisi Eleko has picked up where she left off from the 2024-25 season. Named Preseason First Team All-MAC, Eleko has scored at least 10 points in all 20 games she has played in this season, including 20+ in seven, the third-most in the conference. She is the only MAC player to rank inside the top two in points per game, rebounds per game OR assists per game. Eleko currently averages 18.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, both ranking second in the MAC.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 26 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 48 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 54 games to total 26 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 54.1% (26-of-48) of her games at EMU. Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO ELITE COMPANY
Ranking second in the MAC points (18.1) and rebounds (9.9) per game, Eleko is one of just 10 players nationally to rank top two in their respective conference in both points and rebounds per game.

ELEKO PRESEASON ALL-MAC FIRST TEAM
Sisi Eleko was named Preseason All-MAC First Team, Oct. 21. The 2024-25 All-MAC Second Team selection led the MAC with 14 double-doubles. She was the only player to average one in the MAC. She paced the MAC with 10.1 rebounds per game, becoming the only MAC player to average double-digit boards, and ranked second with 17.9 points per game.

STRONG START: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill is the first EMU freshman to record double-digit points in 17 of her first 21 NCAA games since at least 2002-03. She's the first freshman to score 10+ in five consecutive games since Courtnie Lewis did so in 11 consecutive games in the 2017-18 campaign. Through 21 games, Hill is averaging 14.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 83.3% from the free-throw line, 46.0% from the field, and 38.0% from three.

LEADING FRESHMAN: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill's 14.3 points per game and 83.3% clip from the free throw line are the best from a MAC freshman this season, while her 38.0% rate from beyond the arc is the second-best from a rookie. Her 46.0% mark from the field ranks third among the league's freshmen.

AT THE LINE FOR EASTERN: PEYTON HILL
Freshman Peyton Hill is shooting 83.3% from the line, the fourth-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the eighth-best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 83.3% 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.

UNDERSIZED REBOUNDER
Standing 5-foot-6, Ainhoa Cea pulls down an average of 4.6 rebounds per game. She has grabbed at least four rebounds in seven of her last 12 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 21 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 15 of her first 21 games, with her highest total being 12 at Ohio, Jan. 7, and at Buffalo, Jan. 28. Cea's 12 assists against the Bobcats/Bulls tie for the most in a single game in the MAC and are the fifth-most nationally by value. Cea's 6.2 assists per game rank second in the conference and 12th nationally. The senior's 6.2 assists per game average, should it hold, would break the program's single-season record. The record is currently held by Cassie Schrock, who averaged 5.9 in the 2010-11 season. Schrock dished 220 assists that season. Cea most recently totaled 11 assists at UMass, Feb. 4.

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 37.1 minutes per game. Cea's 37.1 minutes per game are a career high and are 8.3 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played 38 minutes at UMass, Feb. 4.

AINHOA CEA: STAT-SHEET STUFFER
Ainhoa Cea has excelled in multiple facets of the game as she has recorded 12 games with at least five points, three assists, and three rebounds this season, doing so in seven of her last 12 games, most recently at UMass, Feb. 4 (six points, 11 assists, three rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.7 points, 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She is shooting 51.9% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Fernanda Ovalle needs one point to reach the 500 mark. Sisi Eleko needs 28 rebounds to reach 1,000 and 20 to hit 500 as an Eagle. She needs four double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs five total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and six to be the sole record owner. Ainhoa Cea needs 10 assists to hit 500 in her career and 30 rebounds to reach the same mark, while Brooklyn Thrash needs 23 triples to hit 100 in her NCAA career and 158 rebounds to total 500.

SHOOTING STREAK
The Eagles have recorded at least one three-pointer in 153 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 resumes MAC play as it faces Ball State for the second time this season, hosting the Cardinals Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 p.m., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.

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

Artemis Kouki

Fernanda Ovalle

Oliwia Pelka

Olivia Smith

Brooklyn Thrash

Olivia Westphal

Alli Zajac

Eastern Michigan Athletics