The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team (12-9, 4-6 MAC) put on a show in McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Feb. 4, visiting their in-state Mid-American Conference rivals, the Central Michigan University Chippewas (4-17, 2-8 MAC). The Eagles’ sophomore class put up a combined 56 points in the win, 68-54, to earn the squad a crucial MAC win.
Sophomore guard Lachelle Austin kicked the scoring off by making both of her free throws. She started what would turn into an 11-point run for the Eagles until the Chippewas finally got on the board with 2:57 left in the first quarter. The over-seven-minute shutout was a season-best for Eastern Michigan but not the only notable accomplishment for the visitors. Austin eventually earned 21 points and three steals, making her performance the third time in her career to have recorded over 20 points in a single contest.
The Eagles went into halftime up 30-22, marking the thirteenth time this season that they have held their opponents to less than 30 points in the first half. Austin’s stellar performance was supported by fellow sophomores Ce’Nara Skanes who recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Tayra Eke who earned 14 points, three steals, and two blocks, respectively. Skanes also added to her tally of 29 career double-doubles, the most on the team.
The third quarter saw the Eagles’ lead reduced to just three points, the smallest of the entire game. However, it did not last long as Austin promptly responded with a jumper and successful three-pointer. The lead continued to grow, finally to 10 points by the start of the final quarter, 49-39.
Eastern Michigan’s strong team performance will hopefully carry to Wednesday, Feb. 8, when they host the Ball State University Cardinals at 7 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
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