The Eastern Michigan women’s basketball team continued their momentum heading into Mid-American Conference season by defeating the University of Detroit-Mercy Titans 85-68 in Detroit on Wednesday night.

Junior Janay Morton shooting woes came to an end as she scored 16 points, but it was Cha Sweeney's near triple-double performance with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists that sealed the victory.

Three other players scored in double figures with Phillis Webb scoring 14 points, Chanise Baldwin provided 10 points and Sasha Dailey who scored a season-high 18 points.

Morton and the Eagles got off to a fast start as she knocked down three early triples in the first quarter to take a 9-0 lead. The Titans called an early timeout to cool down EMU’s early hot shooting but the Eagles would continue their scoring closing out the first quarter ahead 20-8.

Entering the second quarter, Cha Sweeney began to get it going on the offensive end knocking the Eagles first five points. The Eagles took their largest lead of the game in the second quarter going up 26 points, thanks to the help of sophomore guard Sasha Dailey who contributed nine points in the second quarter. Going into the half, the Eagles would go on an 11-3 run taking a commanding 47-21 lead.

EMU forced a Titan team, that rarely turns the ball over, to nine first half turnovers and held them under 30 percent shooting and held them out the paint with only four points.

In the second half, both teams would trade buckets early as Titans guard Nicole Urbanick knocked down three triples early in the quarter to cut the deficit to 23. The Eagles allowed 30 third quarter points, but managed to maintain a 20-point, 71-51 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Eagles gave up a 12-4 run in the fourth quarter before coach Tory Verdi called a timeout. After the timeout, the Titans cut the deficit but EMU controlled the clock and the Titans were unable to come back.

The Eagles shot 53 percent (34-64) from the field and 36 percent (9-25) from deep. The Eagles shot 80 percent (8-10) from the free throw line. EMU’s zone defense kept the Titans under 40 percent (22-56) for the game, however they went to the free throw line 20 times in the game knocking down 15 of them for a 75 percent.

The Eagles won the rebound battle, 36-32, led by Webb with eight rebounds. EMU scored 15 points off of 19 turnovers and dominated in the paint scoring 30 points.

The Titans were led by sophomore Nicole Urbanick with 32 points including eight three pointers and Rosanna Reynolds contributed 13 points and six assists.

Looking Forward:

The Eagles start conference play at home as they take on the Bulls of the University at Buffalo at the Convocation Center on Jan 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. The Bulls finished their non-conference play 8-3, winning their last games against Niagara and Sacred Heart.

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