The Eastern Michigan women’s basketball team lost in double overtime to Toledo 70-67 at the Convocation Center Wednesday, March 7.
Jenna Annecchiarico had 19 points and shot 80 percent from the 3-point range for EMU (12-16, 5-12). Corrione Cardwell scored 14 points and had six rebounds. Autumn Hudson had nine points and 16 rebounds. Kaayla McIntyre had the game-high in points with 25 and had 15 rebounds for Toledo (19-9, 11-6). Nakiah Black scored 13 points and had four steals.
It was Senior Night for the Eagles’ Danielle Minott and Emoni Jackson, who were recognized before tipoff.
“That’s what it’s all about, having fun at the last home game,” Minott said.
Eastern Michigan was down eight points with 2:37 left in the third quarter, the largest deficit of the game, but started a comeback in the fourth quarter. Annecchiarico made a 3-pointer to make the score 42-40. A minute later, Courtnie Lewis made another 3-pointer from the corner to cut Toledo’s lead to one point.
Toledo made two consecutive 3-pointers after that, one from Sara Rokkanen and then one from Black. Toledo’s crowd cheered as they were up 50-43. Annecchiarico followed with a 3-pointer and a layup to keep the Eagles within striking distances. With 1:14 remaining, Hudson got the ball down low and made a layup to tie the score at 50.
Eastern Michigan soon had an opportunity for the win, as Cardwell missed a shot and Hudson got another offensive rebound. She put up the shot as time expired, but the layup was called off just moments after by the officials. The teams went into the first overtime with a score of 50-50.
“I was really nervous at first, but I just kept going with the flow with play after play,” Hudson said.
Minott scored a layup to give EMU a 59-56 lead. Mikaela Boyd made a jump shot for Toledo and tied the score again at 59. The Rockets had possession in the final seconds and called a timeout. McIntyre went inside and made a layup at the buzzer, but that play was also called off by officials. Eastern and Toledo went into double overtime.
“My goal was trying to push her (McIntyre) out as far as I could so that she couldn’t get position for a quick move,” Hudson said.
“The first overtime, we really thought it would go our way,” Minott said. “The game plan then was to keep our energy up.”
Mariella Santucci made a jump shot and Toledo had a late lead of 68-65. Annecchiarico scored a layup on the other end with 43 seconds remaining. Toledo had possession with the shot clock still on, and Boyd missed a jump shot, but Tanaya Beacham got the offensive rebound that led to an EMU foul. Black made two free throws, and the Eagles missed a potential game-tying shot, with Toledo getting the win 70-67.
“I was just happy for them and happy to be a part of the team,” Minott said. “I’m proud regardless.”
Eastern Michigan will play Ball State at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9 in Muncie, Indiana. The Eagles won the previous game against the Cardinals 56-53 on Feb. 16.
