Women's Basketball Welcomes Ball State to Ypsilanti Tuesday Night

Women's Basketball vs. Ball State
Dates/Times	Tuesday \| Feb. 10 \| 6:30 p.m.
Venue	George Gervin GameAbove Center \| Ypsilanti, Mich.
Tickets	Purchase Here
Preview Info	EMU Notes (PDF) \| Record Book
Watch Live	ESPN+
Listen Live	The Varsity Network
Live Stats	Statbroadcast
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Instagram	@emuwbb \| @emuathletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Fresh off a thrilling overtime victory over the No. 6 mid-major team in the nation, Arkansas State University, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team looks for its second-consecutive win as it welcomes Mid-American Conference second place Ball State University to the George Gervin GameAbove Center Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 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, while Tom Helmer 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 11-11 (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 nine wins from its 2-27 (1-17 MAC) record last season.
» Eastern and Ball State's first meeting of the season was decided by just four points, a 78-74 loss for the Eagles in Muncie, Ind., Dec. 20.
» Eastern and Ball State are meeting for the 94th time. EMU is 45-48 against BSU and 21-23 when facing it in Ypsilanti.
» Eastern most recently earned an overtime upset win over the Sun Belt Conference's first-place Arkansas State Red Wolves, the No. 6 ranked mid major team in the nation, 76-73, Feb. 7.
» Over her last six games, Peyton Hill is averaging 20.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 89.3% from the free-throw line.
» 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 11-11 (4-7 MAC) record currently represents a nine-win improvement from its 2-27 record last season, tying Long Island (15-8, 10-2 NEC) and Arizona State (19-5, 6-5 Big 12) for the second-largest improvement nationally by number of wins. McNeese State (20-4, 14-1 Southland) leads the nation with a 10-win jump. The Eagles' nine-win improvement is the largest in one season since the 2013-14 squad improved by 10 wins (18-14, 7-11 MAC) from the 2011-12 team's 8-22 (6-10 MAC) record.

PEYTON HILL IS ON FIRE
A strong contestant for MAC Freshman of the Year, Peyton Hill has excelled in her previous six games.

Hill Last Six (All Per-Game Averages)
20.5 Pts, 51.2 FG%, 89.3 FT%, 7.0 REB

Hill Rest of Season (All Per-Game Averages)
12.8 Pts, 45.0 FG%, 80.0 FT%, 2.9 REB

The stretch features nearly an eight-point increase in scoring, 6.0% jump in shooting, and 4.0 improvement in rebounding. Hill ranks third in the MAC in points per game in the span while standing third in free-throw percentage, fifth in field-goal percentage, and ninth in rebounding. Moreover, Hill has recorded 20-plus points in consecutive games for the first time in her career after scoring a career-best 27 points against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, after putting up 22 at UMass, Feb. 4.

ALL TIME VS. BALL STATE
EMU is 45-48 all-time against BSU and 21-23 at home as the teams are meeting for the 94th time in the series history and 45th time in Ypsilanti. Eastern has dropped the last nine games against the Cardinals and is looking to beat them for the first time since Dec. 2, 2020, a 77-58 road win to open MAC play. EMU last topped BSU at home Feb. 22, 2020, a 61-58 win.

LAST TIME VS. BALL STATE
Ball State edged EMU, 78-74, Dec. 20, to open MAC play. Eastern trailed by just one, 75-74, with 1:54 to go and held multiple leads throughout the game as it was paced by a pair of 20+ point outings from Fernanda Ovalle (22 points) and Sisi Eleko (20 points). Ovalle tied a career best with five assists while grabbing four rebounds. Eleko scored her 20 points off 75% shooting (9-for-12) and secured four rebounds. Peyton Hill scored 15 points to go with two rebounds and four assists. Ainhoa Cea contributed with eight points, five assists, and three rebounds. Shots fell at a high rate for both squads as each team shot at least 50.0% from the field and eclipsed 46.0% from three-point range.

NOTABLES LAST TIME VS. BALL STATE
» Eastern's 46.2% (12-for-26) three-point percentage was its best of the season and second-best in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present) as the Eagles shot 50.0% from three against Central Michigan last season, Jan. 18, 2025.
» EMU's 50.0% (29-for-58) field-goal percentage is its third-best mark of the Nusseibeh era. The best came in the 76-71 win over Toledo, Jan. 20, where it shot 54.9% (28-for-51).
» Eastern made a season-high 12 three-point field goals, ranking fourth in the MAC by value this season. EMU had five players make multiple three-point baskets.
» Eastern forced 24 turnovers, its most under Nusseibeh when facing a MAC school.
» The game saw 14 lead changes as Eastern made the most of its forced turnovers, turning that into 20 points while Ball State scored 11 points off turnovers.
» Eastern had two players (Ovalle [22], Eleko [20]) score 20+ points for the first time since Eleko and Olivia Westphal had 28 and 20 points, respectively, in the first game of the Nusseibeh tenure, a 75-71 loss to Texas State in the MAC-SBC Challenge, Nov. 4, 2024. The performances from Ovalle and Eleko were the first occurrence of multiple 20-point outings in a conference game since Corrione Caldwell and Courtnie Lewis each had 20 points at Western Michigan, Jan. 23, 2019.

LAST TIME AT HOME VS. BALL STATE
Eastern Michigan took league-leading Ball State to the wire as the Eagles dropped a 74-69 decision inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Feb. 15, 2025. The Eagles held a lead as late as 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but were unable to hand the Cardinals their first league loss.

BEATING CONSECUTIVE 19-WIN TEAMS
A win over Ball State would mark EMU's first time beating consecutive teams with 19 wins or more since March 9-10, 2012, when Eastern beat Toledo and Central Michigan in the MAC tournament.

LAST TIME OUT: VS. ARKANSAS ST, W, 76-73 (OT)
Eastern came back from an 11-point deficit via 23 second-half points from Peyton Hill to upend Sun Belt Conference-leader and the No. 6 ranked mid-major team nationally, Arkansas State, 76-73, in overtime, in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge, Feb. 7. Hill's mid-range jumper with 17 seconds to go gave Eastern the one-point lead and the ensuing defensive stand, and Fernanda Ovalle secured the victory from the free-throw line.

HILL SINGLE-GAME POINTS VS. ARKANSAS ST.
Peyon Hill led Eastern with a career-best 27 points in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7. Her 27 points are the most by a MAC 'true' freshman this season and most by an Eastern freshman since Courtnie Lewis scored 29 at Ball State exactly eight years before Hill's performance, Feb. 7, 2018. After scoring just four in the first half, Hill erupted for a combined 23 points in the second half and overtime. The performance marked her 18th double-digit scoring output and fifth game over 20 points, both pacing MAC freshmen.

HILL'S HEROICS VS. ARKANSAS ST.
Twelve of Peyton Hill's 23 second half and overtime points came in the fourth quarter, where she made a contested game-tying layup with five seconds remaining in regulation, before putting the Eagles ahead for good with a clutch, mid-range pullup at the 17-second mark in overtime.

BEATING 20-WIN TEAM
Eastern most recently beat Arkansas State, the No. 6 ranked mid-major team in the nation in overtime, 76-73, Feb. 7. The Red Wolves entered the game with a 20-4 (11-1 Sun Belt Conference) record, marking Eastern's first time beating a 20-win team since it bested Ball State in the MAC Tournament, 64-63, March 11, 2020.

OVALLE CAREER-HIGH BLOCKS VS. ARKANSAS ST.
Fernanda Ovalle's four blocks against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, are the most from an individual Eagle in a single game since Tayra Eke recorded six in a win over Miami, Jan. 17, 2024, and second most from an individual in the conference this season. One of Ovalle's blocks came in a crucial moment, rejecting a Red Wolves' triple attempt to force overtime. Ovalle paced the Eagles in a game where they totaled a season-high eight blocks, the most in the Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and second most in the MAC in a single game.

FIRST OT WIN UNDER NUSSEIBEH
The overtime win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7, is the first under Sahar Nusseibeh, who moved to 1-2 in overtime games with the Eagles. Eastern is now 24-29 all-time in overtime games. It also marked the Eagles' first OT win since they beat Northern Illinois, Jan. 21, 2023, and second since Jan. 27, 2018.

BARRAGE OF OPPONENT TRIPLES VS. ARK. ST
EMU kept the Red Wolves, who rank first nationally with 34.8 three-point attempts per game and third with 10.1 makes per contest, in check from long range, Feb. 7, holding them to 22.0% (9-for-41) from beyond the arc. This is the first time since March 8, 2014, that an EMU opponent shot more than 40 threes in a single game, as the last time was another overtime tilt, this time against Central Michigan, resulting in a 99-84 Eagle's victory.

WINNING WITH -10 TURNOVER MARGIN
Despite turning the ball over 20 times to Arkansas State's 10, Eastern prevailed to win in overtime, 76-73, Feb. 7. This is Eastern's first win when losing the turnover margin by 10 or more (20-10) since Jan. 25, 2023, when the Eagles turned it over 12 more times than Western Michigan and won, 63-51.

1/1: FERNANDA OVALLE
With 13 points in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7, Fernanda Ovalle eclipsed the 500-point mark as she totals 512 points in her NCAA tenure. With the achievement, Ovalle became the first Chilean born NCAA Division I player to score 500 points in a career as she is highest scoring Chilean native in NCAA Division I history. Additionally, Ovalle became the third Eagle to hit the mark this season as Brooklyn Thrash accomplished the feat after scoring six points at Michigan State, Nov. 9, and Ainhoa Cea did so after bucketing nine points in a win over Duquesne, Dec. 9.

ANOTHER DOUBLE-DIGIT COMEBACK
Eastern trailed by 11 points against Arkansas State in the second quarter and came back to win in overtime, 76-73. The win marked the Eagles' second-largest comeback win of the season as it trailed by 13 against Toledo and won, 76-71, Jan. 20. Overall, it was the second win of the season when trailing by double-digit points and fourth time doing so under Nusseibeh. Both of last year's wins came when trailing by double figures with the largest being Nusseibeh's first EMU win, a 20-point comeback to beat Xavier, 72-60, Dec. 1, 2024.

ADDITIONAL NOTES VS ARK. ST., FEB. 7
» Eastern had four players (Hill, 27; Eleko, 18; Thrash, 14; Ovalle, 13) score double-digit points in the same game for the seventh time this season.
» Eastern pulled down 51 rebounds, its most against an NCAA Division I opponent this season.
» Eastern scored 42 paint points, marking its eighth time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing a 7-1 record when doing so.
» Sisi Eleko recorded her 22nd game with double-digit points this season and 24th consecutive game doing so, dating back to the 2024-25 season. She scored 18 points and tied her career best with two blocks.
» Sisi Eleko notched her MAC-best 13th double-double of the season with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
» Brooklyn Thrash posted her ninth game of the season with 10+ points, scoring 13 points off 4-for-11 shooting. She also posted her eighth game of the season with at least 10 points and five rebounds, finishing the game with eight rebounds.
» Fernanda Ovalle recorded her 13th double-digit scoring performance of the season with 13 points.
» Peyton Hill played a career-high 40 minutes.
» Brooklyn Thrash tied a career high with three assists.
» Ainhoa Cea played a career-high 43 minutes.
» Artemis Kouki grabbed a season-best five rebounds.
» Sisi Eleko tied a career high with two blocks and dished a season-best four assists.

ELEKO IN THE STANDINGS
Sisi Eleko has 13 double-doubles on the season, ranking first in the MAC and fourth nationally by value. The senior ranks second in the MAC in points (18.0) and first in rebounds per game (10.1). Her 10.1 boards per game stand 23rd nationally, while she also leads the MAC in defensive rebounds per game (8.0), checking in at No. 12 in America. Altogether, she ranks inside the MAC top-three in seven categories.

ELEKO PROGRAM DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Sisi Eleko's 27 double-doubles rank second on the program's all-time list (since 1997). She needs four more to tie Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23) for the most in program history (31). Eleko most recently posted a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7.

PEYTON HILL: FIVE 20-POINT GAMES
Peyton Hill's five 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 a career-best 27 points in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7.

FRESHMAN 10+/20+ POINTS: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill has the most games with double-digit points of an EMU freshman (18) and 20+ point performances (five) since Courtnie Lewis recorded 22 10+ point games, and six over 20 points in the 2017-18 season. Hill most recently scored a career-best 27 points in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7.

ANOTHER PAIR OF 20s
Peyton Hill (22 points) and Sisi Eleko (20) each posted 20+ points at UMass, Feb. 4, marking the fifth time this season EMU has seen multiple players with 20+ points, producing a 2-3 record in such games.

PAY DAY IN THE PAINT
Eastern scored 44 paint points in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7, marking its eighth time this season eclipsing 40 points in the paint, producing a 7-1 record when doing so. The game also marked EMU's fifth with at least 44 paint points, a total it has reached in four of its last six games.

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

HOME FLOOR SETS THE TONE
Eastern Michigan has turned home games into a clear advantage this season. The Eagles are 7-2 at home while outscoring opponents by 8.2 points per game. EMU averages 73.7 points inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center and holds opponents to 65.4. The Eagles outshoot opponents, 46.3%-39.2%. The rebounding margin sits at plus 5.1, driven by strong interior play from Sisi Eleko, who averages 10.8 rebounds per home contest and scores 20.0 points per game on 50.4% shooting. Peyton Hill averages 16.9 points at home with 5.2 rebounds, while shooting 52.1% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range.

HOT AT HOME
Eastern is 7-2 or better at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season, when it also started 7-2 at home. Eastern notably beat the No. 6 ranked mid-major team in the country, Arkansas State, Feb. 7, after it topped Robert Morris in its home opener, Nov. 26, who is receiving votes in the College Insider Mid Major poll, and is predicted to finish second in the Horizon League. EMU also ended Bowling Green's seven-game win streak after topping the Falcons, 86-76, Dec. 30. EMU is looking for a 8-2 home start or better for the first time since 2011-12, when it started 9-1 at home and finished 11-1 in Ypsilanti.

STRONG STARTS IN YPSILANTI
EMU has controlled games early at home. The Eagles outscore opponents 163 to 135 in first quarters, 307 to 268 across first halves, and 179-152 in the fourth quarter. Opponents shoot only 39.2% overall in home games and 29.4% from three. EMU's pressure defense has led to 6.9 steals per game at home, creating extra possessions, and transition scoring chances.

HOME STRETCH IS HERE
Beginning with the game against Ball State, Feb. 10, Eastern will play four of its final seven regular-season games inside the friendly confines of the George Gervin GameAbove Center, where it holds a 7-2 mark this season. Additionally, Eastern already has wins over three of its remaining opponents in Toledo, Buffalo, and Northern Illinois.

FOURTH QUARTER CONTROL IN VICTORIES
EMU finishes games with authority when leading. In wins, the Eagles outscore opponents 225 to 178 in fourth quarters. Eastern most recently outscored Arkansas State, 17-15 in the fourth quarter and 12-9 in overtime for the 76-73 win, Feb. 7.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR SISI?
Sisi Eleko needs 12 rebounds to reach 1,000 in her NCAA career and four to hit 500 as an Eagle, while requiring 121 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 three double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure, four to tie for the most in program history, and five to be the sole record owner.

SISI IN CAREER STANDINGS?
With the game against Ball State marking Sisi Eleko's 50th game as an Eagle, she will officially qualify for the career scoring average list, where she will rank fourth, averaging 17.9 points per game in the Eastern Green and White. Eleko currently leads the program in all-time rebounding average with 10.1 per game as an Eagle.

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, averaging 4.3 attempts per game while shooting 39.5% (17-for-43) from distance in that span. The stretch has seen Hill elevate to 10th in the MAC in three-point shooting, up to 38.7% (29-for-75) this season, the second-best clip from a MAC freshman. She recently knocked down a pair of triples against Arkansas State, Feb. 7.

YOUR DO-IT-ALL PG
Senior Ainhoa Cea is averaging 6.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.3 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 (51.3%). Cea joins an elite list of three-time All-American Olivia Miles (TCU) and the nation's assists leader (8.8 per game), Caroline Lau (Northwestern).

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

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 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.

TWO IN THE MAC TOP-FIVE IN SCORING
Eastern Michigan's Sisi Eleko (2nd, 18.0) and Peyton Hill (5th, 14.9) each rank inside the MAC top five in points per game. EMU is one of 19 teams nationally with two players ranking inside their respective conference's top-five in scoring.

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 a two-point deficit to start the fourth quarter (49-47) against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, marking the fourth, fourth-quarter comeback in the Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh era (2024-present) and third of the 2025-26 season. Eastern notably came back from down six points to start the fourth quarter, beating Toledo, 76-71, Jan. 20. It was the largest fourth-quarter comeback since Eastern came back from a 10-point hole to win against NIU, 76-72, Feb. 22, 2025.

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

Win Type          24-25 Total       25-26 Total    Increase
Total     2             11          9
Non-Con           1             7             6
Home 1             7             6
Away    1             4             3
MAC     1             4             3
MAC Home      0             3             3
MAC Away        1             1             --

With a win over Ball State, Eastern can increase its overall win total by 10 from the 2024-25 season, while multiplying its home-win total by eight, MAC-win total by five, and home-MAC win sum by four.

MONEY FROM THE LINE
Eastern is shooting 75.7% from the free-throw line this season, ranking third in the MAC, and 47th in the country. Twenty-two games in, EMU's 75.7% free-throw percentage would serve as the team's single-season program record and is 3.1% 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 22 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 (82.5%) leads EMU individually, as her clip ranks fifth in the MAC and is the best from a MAC freshman. Additionally, Eastern broke the program and George Gervin GameAbove Center records in free throws made and attempted, shooting 77.1% (37-for-48) against Bowling Green, Dec. 30.

SHOOTING FOR 90s
Eastern was 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 1,510 points is scored by the starting five, as it has accounted for 86.8% 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 9-3 this season when holding opponents below 44.9% from the field, as it has held its foes to 41.5% or worse in nine of its 11 victories. In losses, opponents are shooting 48.1%. The same goes for three-point shooting as Eastern's opponents are shooting 26.3% or worse in eight of EMU's 11 wins and 31.3% or better in eight of EMU's 11 losses. Eastern is also 10-5 when outrebounding its foe as it has done so in 15-of-22 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 +2.4 rebounding margin as opponents average 33.7 rebounds per game against EMU while it pulls down an average of 36.0 per contest. After getting outrebounded in the season-opener at Louisiana Monroe, 37-29, Nov. 3, Eastern has outrebounded its opponent in 15 of the last 21 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 4.9 per game, while Ainhoa Cea averages 4.6 per game while standing 5-foot-6. Sisi Eleko highlighted the EMU rebounders against Arkansas State, Feb. 7, corralling 15, marking her 13th double-digit rebounds game this season and fourth with at least 15.

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 11 victories, EMU posts a +14.8 scoring margin and holds opponents to 58.0 points per game. The Eagles shoot 44.2% from the floor while limiting opponents to 35.8%. Rebounding stands out at +7.8 per game. EMU also shoots 78.9% from the free-throw line, compared to 67.6% for opponents. Peyton Hill averages 17.2 points per game in wins, shoots 49.2% from the field, pulls down 4.7 rebounds, and grabs 1.4 steals per game. Sisi Eleko averages a double-double with 18.4 points and 11.7 rebounds, while Fernanda Ovalle adds 13.5 points per game. Ainhoa Cea aids, scoring 5.8 points, with 6.8 assists, and 4.9 rebounds.

ELEKO AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Averaging 18.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, Sisi Eleko is one of 23 players nationally averaging a double-double, and the only player in the MAC to do so.

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 21 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 10.1 rebounds and 18.0 points and per game, ranking first and second in the MAC, respectively.

ELEKO DOUBLE-DOUBLE RATE
Sisi Eleko has secured her 27 EMU double-doubles at an astonishing rate, doing so in 49 games. It took program double-doubles leader, Ce'Nara Skanes (2020-23), 58 games to total 27 double-doubles, finishing her tenure with 31. Eleko has posted a double-double in 55.1% (27-of-49) of her games at EMU. Skanes did so in 41.3% (31-of-75) of her career games.

ELEKO ELITE COMPANY
Ranking first in the MAC in rebounds (10.1) and second in points per game (18.0), 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.

STRONG START: PEYTON HILL
Peyton Hill is the first EMU freshman to record double-digit points in 18 of her first 22 NCAA games since at least 2002-03. She's the first freshman to score 10+ in six consecutive games since Courtnie Lewis did so in 11 consecutive games in the 2017-18 campaign, and the first freshman to record consecutive 20-point outings since Lewis posted three straight in her freshman campaign. Through 22 games, Hill is averaging 14.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 82.5% from the free-throw line, 47.3% from the field, and 38.7% 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 82.5% from the line, the fifth-best mark in the conference, best from a freshman, and the 11th best mark nationally from a freshman. Overall, Hill's 82.5% clip would stand eighth in the program's single-season records if it is maintained. The record is currently held by Kelly Helbler, who shot 91.1% in the 1989-90 season.

HILL NEARING FRESHMAN SCORING LEADERBOARD
Peyton Hill totals 328 points this season, requiring nine to check into the program's top-10 highest scoring seasons by a freshman. Nine points against the Cardinals would tie Hill with Sarah VanMetre, who scored 337 points in her rookie campaign (2003-04).

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 eight of her last 13 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 22 games as an Eagle. Cea has dished at least five dimes in 16 of her first 22 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 6.3 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 37.4 minutes per game. Cea's 37.4 minutes per game are a career high and are 8.6 minutes more than her previous career high of 28.8 MPG. She most recently played a career-high 43 minutes in the win over Arkansas State, Feb. 7.

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 13 games, most recently at UMass, Feb. 4 (six points, 11 assists, three rebounds). Overall, the senior is averaging 6.6 points, 6.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game. She is shooting 51.3% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range.

UPCOMING MILESTONES
Sisi Eleko needs 13 rebounds to reach 1,000 and five to hit 500 as an Eagle. She needs three double-doubles to reach 50 in her NCAA tenure. Furthermore, Eleko needs four total double-doubles to tie for the most in program history and five to be the sole record owner. Ainhoa Cea needs two assists to hit 500 in her career and 26 rebounds to reach the same mark, while Brooklyn Thrash needs 22 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 154 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 makes the short trip south to face the University of Toledo Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 p.m.

FOLLOW US
Stay connected with the Eagles all season long by following @EMUWBB and @EMUAthletics on X for all the latest EMU women's basketball updates. Be sure to also follow the Eagles on Instagram @emuwbb and @emuathletics.

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Players Mentioned

Ainhoa Cea

Sisi Eleko

Peyton Hill

Artemis Kouki

Fernanda Ovalle

Brooklyn Thrash

Olivia Westphal

Eastern Michigan Athletics