On Feb. 28, 2026, the Eastern Michigan women’s basketball team traveled to DeKalb, Illinois, to take on Northern Illinois University at the Convocation Center. The game ended at a 70-61 loss for the Eagles. Eastern Michigan is no longer in the running for the Mid-American Conference tournament.
Huskies take early lead
Eastern Michigan star Sisi Eleko started the game off strong for the Eagles, securing nine points and three rebounds in the first quarter. Eleko was aided by Ainhoa Cea, the team's leader in assists. Cea averages 5.9 assists per game, placing her second in the entire conference. The efforts of the Eagles were clouded by the success the NIU Huskies had on offense as the quarter ended with a score of 23-17.
The second quarter was slower for Eastern Michigan. The Eagles scored 11 points, six fewer than in the previous quarter. NIU also had a dip in scoring, from 23 points in the first quarter to 18 in the second. The score going into halftime was 41-28 with NIU having the lead.
Back and forth finish
Eastern Michigan came out energized after halftime. Five different Eagles scored in the third quarter. The Eagles also did a better job of maintaining possession, having only four turnovers in the third quarter, down from six in the previous quarter. Eastern did a great job rebounding as well, pulling in eight rebounds compared to the four secured by the Huskies. The third quarter ended with a score of 49-45 as Eastern closed the gap.
The final quarter of play was tight. Eastern Michigan scored 15 points from field goals while NIU scored 16. Both teams were able to haul in rebounds, eight for NIU and 10 for Eastern. While many of their stats reflect one-another, the main difference was at the free throw line. Eastern Michigan shot one of three from the free throw line while NIU shot five of eight. In the end the Huskies were able to maintain their lead and win with a final score of 70-61.
Successes
Despite the loss, there were positives for the Eagles. Eleko recorded another double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, marking her 50th career double-double. Eleko remained a consistent presence on both ends of the floor and kept Eastern Michigan competitive throughout the second half.
Fernanda Ovalle contributed key baskets during EMU’s second-half comeback attempt, while Cea facilitated the offense and helped create scoring opportunities. Along with her assists, Cea managed to gain five steals, showing her value as a defensive player. Overall, the Eagles showed resilience and rebounding intensity after halftime, demonstrating their ability to compete in tight conference matchups.
Looking ahead
The next game for the Eagles will be a home game at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The team will take on the Ohio University Bobcats at 6:30 p.m. on March 4, 2026. Fans can tune into the game on ESPN+.
