Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball player Ce’Nara Skanes made her impression Wednesday night, leading the Eagles in nearly all categories. While the team lost the game 65-55 to Ohio University, Skanes scored 18 points, grabbed nine boards, dished four assists, and tallied a career-best six steals. Skanes’ 8.1 rebounds are currently fourth in the Mid-American Conference. 

Sophomore Kyndal Lewis registered the first start of her career and also found her way into double-digit scoring figures with 12 points in 18 minutes of floor time. The 12 points marked a new career-best, while the 18 minutes of play were the most Lewis had seen since Dec. 4, when she played 19 minutes. 

Both Ohio and EMU struggled from the floor early on as the score would be tied at only 2-2 after three minutes and 18 seconds of game time. This tightly contested, defensive start would continue throughout the first quarter and the Eagles would take a 12-10 lead into the second. 

The Bobcats came in the next quarter by sparking a 6-0 run that would give them a temporary advantage until Skanes would use some flashy passing as an equalizer. Skanes found senior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu for a layup and then sophomore Lachelle Austin for a three to put the Eagles back on top. Ohio matched Austin’s three at the other end, but EMU still was able to enter halftime leading 29-27.

The swing of momentum occurred primarily in the third quarter where the Eagles would see a four-point lead early turn into a seven-point deficit late. Ohio experienced their best scoring stretch of the game and outpaced EMU 24-15 in the period. 

The Eagles’ deficit increased to 15 points in the final quarter of play, which was the largest margin of the night. EMU was able to battle back within seven points late but ultimately fell by double digits to the score of 66-55 in favor of the Ohio Bobcats.

Even though the Eagles were not able to celebrate a victory in the contest, the young women on the team were celebrated as Feb. 1 was National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and there was a special message played at halftime put together by the EMU Athletic Department. 

Next up, the Eagles will take a weekend trip north to Mount Pleasant for an in-state rivalry clash with the Central Michigan Chippewas. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be viewable on ESPN3.

For more information on the Eastern Michigan women’s basketball team, listen to "TheBlockE Podcast" weekly for in-depth analysis, statistics, updates and more.

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