Women’s Hoops closed out the 27th Hawk Classic with a 66-54 win over Wright State

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (EMUEagles.com)– The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team made 28 shots from the field en route to a 66-54 victory over Wright State University in the final contest of the 27th Hawk Classic hosted by Saint Joseph University at Hagan Arena in Philadelphia, Pa., on Dec. 21.

The Eagles (7-3) had two players score in double figures, led by the juniorCe’Nara Skanes (Okalhoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West-FIU), who scored 22 points and dished out four assists. Second year student Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) Put up 14 points, four assists and two steals and a sophomoreTyra Eke(Madrid, Spain-IES Ortega y Gasset-Long Island) added six points and 13 rebounds.

Eastern Michigan beat Wright State 43-20 in the game, led by Eke’s 13 boards. The Eagles also collected 13 offensive rebounds and scored 15 second-chance points.

Eastern Michigan’s defense held Wright State shooters to just 38.6 percent from the field. The Raiders didn’t get many second chances on the offensive end, grabbing just four offensive rebounds and scoring zero second-chance points, while Eastern Michigan pulled down 30 defensive rebounds.

How did it happen

Eastern Michigan kept it close in the first quarter, but went into the second frame 14-11.

Wright State kept adding to its lead, building a 24-18 advantage before Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 24. Neither team could break away at halftime, as the teams went into the break tied. at 26-26. EMU forced three Wright State turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.

After the break, the green and white jumped out to a 42-36 lead before a 7-0 run between baskets by the senior. Irekpit’s Ozzy-Momodu (London, England – City of London Academy – Robert Morris), further increasing their lead to 49-36 with 1:05 left in the third period. Before the end of the third period, the Raiders had cut the lead somewhat, but the Eagles still went into the fourth quarter with a 51-39 margin. Eastern Michigan played very close to the basket, scoring 20 of its 25 points.

Eastern started putting up points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 7-0 run that was capped by an Austin jumper to extend the lead to 58-39 with 8:24 left in the contest. The Raiders narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still cruised the rest of the way to a 66-54 victory. Eastern Michigan took advantage of its opportunities at the point, scoring 12 of its 15 points.

Game notes

The Green and White had 43 boards against Wright State on 21. December Eagles have recorded a total of 400 rebounds so far. The team average of 39.7 boards per game ranks second in the conference, while Skane’s 8.0 rebounds per game ranks fifth in the MAC. In addition, Eke, who collected a game-high 13 rebounds, tied for seventh in the league in rebounds per game (7.0).
Eastern Michigan had six steals against Wright State on Dec. 21. It was the team’s ninth straight contest with five or more steals. Additionally, Austin’s two assists give him 20 on the season and ranks fifth in the MAC in steals per game (2.3). He has had a steal in every contest he has appeared in this season but two.
Eastern Michigan held the Raiders to just 38.6% shooting from the field. This is the FIFTH time this season that the team has held their opponents to over 40 percent shooting from the field. In all cases, Eastern has outperformed its competitors.
The greens and whites collected a total of 17 helpers for the competition. The 17 assists is a team season high, surpassing the previous 16 at SIU-Edwardsville, Nov. 13. The last time the Eagles dished out 17 or more assists in a game was a win over Central Michigan University. The Eagles beat the Chippewas 83-70 with 18 assists at McGuirk Arena on Feb. 19.
Skane’s 22 points against the Raiders’ defensive mark is a Junior season high, surpassing his previous 18 at Xavier on Dec. 17. Additionally, this was his seventh game of the season in which he has recorded double-digit points. fourth recording bucket made from the three-point line.

Historical notes

In their eighth meeting with the Raiders, the Eagles are 8-0 against the Horizon League member. The two teams have met since 1987, and tonight’s contest will be the first at a neutral venue.
With just seven wins last season, the Eagles are off to a better start with a 7-3 non-conference record before beginning MAC play in January. The team will face one more conference rival, Hillsdale College, on December 28th.

Next

Following the St. Joe’s Classic, the team will enjoy a week off before hosting Hillsdale College on Saturday, December 28th at 7:00 PM tip-off at the George Gervin GameABove Center. The competition is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN+.