A second half scoring drought for the Eagles gave the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team its second loss in the span of a week, this time to Akron University in a Mid-American Conference match-up, by a score of 75-72 on Saturday afternoon in Akron, Ohio.
Despite back and forth scoring from the Zips and the Eagles, it was Akron who would send the Eagles back to Ypsilanti having dropped two games in four days.
The Eagles got off to a good start with their shooting thanks to guard Cha Sweeney with eight early points in the first quarter. EMU looked crisp offensively with its ball movement, which allowed players Janay Morton and Sera Ozelci to hit open shots.
Entering the second quarter with a 23-18 lead, the Eagles could not keep Akron away – keeping the game close despite the offensive success for EMU. The Zips forced Eastern to turn the ball over which resulted into shots being made, cutting the deficit down to one.
The offense for EMU began to look stiff as players were not moving causing them to receive a few three-in-the-key calls. The Eagles were able to get to the free throw line late in the half to open the gap and take a 41-34 lead going into the locker room.
The Eagles got off to a quick start, scoring five points on its first two possessions in the third quarter. Eastern Michigan lead by as many as 12 points in the third before the Zips went on a 9-0 run, cutting the lead to 48-45. A shooting drought for the Eagles allowed Akron to score 21 points in the third quarter and take the lead heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the Eagles allowed the Zips to take a 55-52 lead. Scoring for the Eagles and the Zips came from each team as players knocked down shots when needed. Akron went up 73-67 in the final two minutes of the game before the Eagles came within three of the lead. But the comeback would be stopped by Zips three-pointer that sealed its victory.
The Eagles closed the game shooting only 38 percent from the field and allowed the Zips to shoot 50 percent. EMU turned the ball over 15 times, but forced 19 turnovers on Akron.
Leading the way for the Eagles was Cha Sweeney with 23 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Morton provided a strong finish with 19 points, six assists and six rebounds. Coming off the bench scoring a career-high 11 points was Sheyna Deans for the Eagles.
Anita Brown led the way for the Zips with 27 points and nine rebounds, as well as Hannah Plybon, who scored 24 points.
Looking Forward
The Eagles look to avoid its third consecutive loss as they take on Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan University at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti. The Chippewas are 7-2 in the MAC, good for second in the west division.
