The Eastern Michigan (14-14, 9-8) women’s basketball team wrapped up their regular season and celebrated Senior Night against the Western Michigan Broncos for their last home game of the season on Wednesday, March 4 at the Convocation Center. After the Eagles crushed the Toledo Rockets 64-46 last week, EMU was ready to get back into action against the Broncos, who were only one spot behind EMU in the MAC standings.
Redshirt junior Areanna Combs led the way in scoring for Eastern Michigan with 22 points to go with her seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. She has been one of the best players in the MAC over the last two months and has been outstanding for the Eagles in the 21 games she has played this season. Combs also had 15 points in the win over Toledo. This is also the ninth game where Combs has scored 20 or more points during a game.
Autumn Hudson, who is also a junior, shot 2-of-3 in the paint for six points while grabbing 10 rebounds. The Ohio product's aggressive play marks just the second time all season she grabbed at least 10 boards, while also recording an assist and a steal. Jenna Annecchiarico was also impactful on the offensive end as she dropped nine points in the loss.
In the first quarter, sophomore Juanita Agosto got a layup to put the Eagles on the board. Soon after, she put up another shot and made it again, scoring four of her six points early on. The Broncos were able to respond, though, as they grabbed two scores in the opening minutes of the second frame to take a 17-13 lead.
Undeterred, the Eagles went on a 9-0 tear in a three-minute stretch to get back into the game but the Broncos were able to push back and build their lead to double digits with 2:54 left in the third quarter. EMU tried to come back, scoring a quick eight points, but they still found themselves down 11 points at the end of the third period.
Eastern Michigan came back for a fight in the 4th quarter, scoring three layups on their first three possessions, cutting Western Michigan’s lead down to 43-38. Although the Eagles were able to get back into the game, they were ultimately unable to complete the comeback against WMU, finishing the game with a 53-49 loss.
Combs and Annecchiarico led the Eagles with a combined 31 points while Agosto and Hudson were next in line with six points each. Corrione Cardwell also added four points for Eastern Michigan. Jordan Walker led Western Michigan with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds, while Leighah-Amori Wool added 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in the victory.
The Eagles will wrap up their regular season as they take on their MAC rival the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday, March 7 in Mount Pleasant. If EMU can pull off the upset over Central Michigan, it would be their highest win total since 2016 when they won 22 games. Following the game against CMU, the Eagles will participate in the MAC Tournament beginning on Monday, March 9.
