Record-Breaking Efforts Lead Women’s Basketball Past Miami

OXFORD, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — A pair of record-setting performances from redshirt senior Areanna Combs (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Oklahoma State)) and redshirt sophomore Ce’Nara Skanes (Oklahoma City, Okla.-Putnam City West (Florida International)) was enough to lift the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team over Miami University, 80-69, today, Jan. 29, inside Millett Hall. 

The Eagles (5-11, 2-7 MAC) had three players score in double figures, led by Combs, who had 29 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Skanes tacked on a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) helped out with 10 points and four steals.

The Eastern Michigan defense was a problem in Saturday’s game, forcing 20 Miami turnovers, while the Eagles committed just 13 of their own. Those takeaways turned into 24 points on the offensive end of the floor. 

How It Happened

After falling behind 5-2, Eastern Michigan went on a 15-0 run with 6:54 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Austin, to take a 17-5 lead. The Eagles entered the quarter break with a 17-9 advantage. Eastern Michigan capitalized on six Miami turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.

EMU kept its first-quarter lead intact before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 8:33 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 28-14. The RedHawks cut into that lead, but the Eagles still enjoyed a 35-28 advantage heading into halftime. Eastern Michigan dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 18 points close to the basket.

After intermission, Eastern Michigan held on to its advantage and owned a 51-46 lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

The RedHawks tied the game, 65-65, with just about two minutes left in the contest, before Eastern Michigan went on a 9-0 run to seize a 74-65 lead with 38 seconds to go in the contest. The Eagles kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 80-69 win.

Game Notes

» Combs, Skanes, and Austin combined to account for 75 percent of the Eagles’ points.

» The Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.

» EMU gave up just nine first quarter points to the RedHawks, the least given up by the Eagles in an opening frame against a Division I opponent this season. The number ties EMU’s best defensive start to a game against any opponent this season; EMU allowed just nine first-quarter points against Grace Christian, Nov. 18.

» EMU held a 17-9 lead after one quarter of play. The eight-point advantage after the first quarter is the third-largest first-frame advantage for the team this season against a Division I opponent (12 vs. CMU, Jan. 8; 10 vs. Binghamton, Dec. 10.

» The Eagles took a 35-28 lead into the halftime break. The 28 points allowed is the second-lowest total for Eastern Michigan against a DI opponent this season. The Eagles’ best mark came against Binghamton. The Bearcats scored just 27 first-half points against EMU, Dec. 10.

» Eastern’s 35 first-half points are tied for its second-most on the road this season. The Eagles scored a season-best 40 points in the first half at Kent State, Jan. 15. EMU has scored 30+ points in the first half 12 times this season, including in eight of its last 10 contests.

» Combs scored 17 points in the first half, a number which ties her season-best for points in a half. She scored the same number in both the first and second half of EMU’s game at Akron, Jan. 26. Her 17 single-half points (accomplished three times) is the best of any player on the team this season.

» Combs hit a team-best 19 free throws in the contest at Miami. That is a career-best effort for the redshirt senior.

» Combs finished the game with 29 points on 19-of-24 shooting. The effort was her sixth of 20+ points this season, and her fourth consecutive game of the sort. Her current streak of 20-point efforts ties a career-best, and is the first stretch of the sort for Combs since she scored 20+ in four games between March 4-11, 2020.

» Eastern hit 29 free throws in the game. That is a season-best for the Green and White. The Eagles previously recorded highs of 18 made three throws in three prior contests.

» Eastern’s 11-point margin over victory (80-69) is the second largest for the team over a Division I opponent this season (+20 vs. Central Michigan, Jan. 8).

» With its win, EMU snapped a season-long six-game losing skid.

» Austin tied for the team lead with four steals, a career-high effort for the freshman.

 

Historical Notes

» Combs’ 19 free throw makes ranks No. 1 all-time in a single game at EMU. Combs passed EMU great Tavelyn James on the list, who also hit 15 from the charity stripe, March 5, 2011.  

» Skanes finished the game with 21 points and 10 rebounds to notch her seventh double-double of the season, and 18th in her career. She now holds the all-time record at EMU with 18.

» EMU has now bested Miami in three consecutive contests, its longest streak over the RedHawks since winning the same number between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.