Cheers echoed through the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team sealed an electrifying season finale with a triumphant victory over the Bowling Green State University Falcons. EMU honored their seniors in style on March 9, winning 59-54 and having supporters on the edge of their seats in a thrilling match.
It was Senior Day inside the G3 as the Eagles honored five members of the program. Student manager Alex Lara, graduate assistant Kate Sherwood, graduate student Kennedi Myles (Cincinnati, Ohio), senior Ashley Hassett (Hershey, Neb.), and senior ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma City, Okla.).
Olivia Westphal (Bethel Park, Pa.) led offensively for the Eagles (7-22, 3-15 Mid-American Conference) as she finished with a career-high 16 points and two steals. In addition to Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.), who scored 15 points, Myles contributed 11 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. It marks the 18th career double-double for Myles.
The Green and White outrebounded Bowling Green, 40-37, with 11 boards apiece from Myles and Tayra Eke (Madrid, Spain). In addition, the Eagles scored 13 second-chance points and pulled down 17 offensive rebounds.
With her 11 rebounds against Bowling Green on March 9, Eke surpassed her career milestone of 500 and now has a career total of 506.
With 2:35 remaining in the first quarter, EMU extended their lead to 26-7 after opening up a 17-7 lead. This run of 9 points was capped off by a bucket from Myles. Even though they lost some of their lead, the Eagles led 26-9 going into the half.
For 12 of its 26 points throughout the season, Eastern Michigan's three-point shooting was the main source of their offense, converting four from beyond the arc.
The Eagles defeated the Falcons 32-21 at the half. EMU led its opponent 4-1 after the opening two-quarters of play for the seventh time this season. In 14 games during the previous season, the club was ahead of its opponent after 30 minutes of play, going 11-3 in those matches.
With 1:23 remaining in the third quarter, Dara Capaldi (East Detroit, Mich.) scored a basket to spark a 7-0 run for EMU, which allowed them to extend their advantage to 45-33. The Falcons had considerably reduced that margin at the end of the third quarter, but the Eagles still held a 45-38 advantage going into the fourth quarter. With 10 of its 13 points coming from the paint, Eastern Michigan demonstrated strong near-the-hoop play.
The Eagles then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. EMU got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring three fast break points.
The Eagles concluded the 2023-24 campaign with a 7-22 overall record and a 3-15 conference record.
For more updates on the EMU women's basketball team throughout the offseason, you can visit The Echo's website.
