The Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-2) women’s basketball team earned their second win of the season as they moved to 2-0 at the Convocation Center this year. The Eagles defeated Southeast Missouri State, 69-64, on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in Ypsilanti. EMU was led by freshman guard Aaliyah Stanley’s 24 points, four rebounds and two steals.
EMU jumped out to a quick lead as they led 17-10 at the end of the first quarter. Courtnie Lewis scored the first points of the game for the Eagles as Courtnie Lewis knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game 3-3. Jenna Annecchiarico finished the first quarter with a free throw, to extend Eastern Michigan’s lead to seven points.
Sophie Bussard finished at the rim for the Redhawks to cut into EMU’s lead but Stanley answered back less than a minute later with a layup of her own. Stanley then scored 14 points in the final 4:01 of the second quarter. She knocked down four 3-pointers and had a great move on the wing, as she drove and finished with her right hand.
The Eagles led 35-21 at halftime.
Stanley hit another 3-pointer with 8:43 left in the third quarter, putting EMU up 38-23. Towards the end of the third quarter, Lewis drove from the left wing and finished a layup while being fouled. Lewis also hit the free throw to complete the and-one. Carrie Shepard helped lead a 7-0 run for the Redhawks, though, as they trailed 47-41 going to the fourth quarter.
At the beginning of the period, Autumn Hudson connected on a layup, assisted by Annecchiarico. Annecchiarico also picked up two steals, one of which led to a Corrione Cardwell bucket. EMU’s defense struggled in the fourth quarter, though, as they allowed a game-high 23 points. Southeast Missouri State came back to trail just 53-51 with 5:42 remaining.
Shepard later hit a 3-pointer to bring the Redhawks within one point with 23 seconds left in the game. Eastern Michigan finished off Southeast Missouri State with four consecutive free throws to win the game 69-64. EMU is 2-0 at home now and will have their next two games at the Convocation Center.
Stanley had a team-high 24 points for the Eagles. She made 55.5% of her 3-pointers in 33 minutes of playing time. Cardwell added nine points, five assists and two rebounds as well. Annecchiarico, Lewis and Kiara Johnson combined for 19 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. Natalia Pineda had nine points off the bench for EMU.
Shepard had a game-high 31 points for the Redhawks.
Eastern Michigan will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Convocation Center versus Southern Illinois. The Salukis are 2-2 as well. After that game, the Eagles will host No. 21 Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The Wolverines are sitting at 4-0 right now. The Eagles’ next road game is against Binghamton on Sunday, Dec. 1.
