The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team (13-11,5-8 MAC) fell short to the University of Akron (15-9, 6-7 MAC), 72-70, on the road Wednesday, Feb. 15. Three Eagles scored double-figures in the loss, two of which were double-doubles.
Senior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu tallied 26 points and 12 rebounds, making this her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Tayra Eke added 11 points and 12 rebounds, recording Eke’s fifth double-double of the season.
Sophomore guard LaChelle Austin helped with 19 points, four assists, and two steals.
The Eagles fell behind 15-5 in the first half but added to the deficit, scoring five consecutive points. The Zips responded by adding to its lead, leaving the Eagles with a 21-12 disadvantage entering the second quarter. At the end of the second period, the Eagles were still down, 35-25.
With 4:36 left in the third quarter, EMU went on a 6-0 run, keeping Akron from growing its lead. The Zips fought back heading into the final period with a 56-60 advantage over the Eagles.
The Eagles played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 25 points in the paint, but it was not enough to defeat Akron, falling short 72-70 in the contest.
EMU’s defense held Akron to only 19 perfect shooting from beyond the arc. The Zips finished with five offensive rebounds and scored five second-chance points while the Eagles cleared 29 defensive rebounds.
Ozzy-Momodu added eight offensive rebounds, totaling 14 offensive boards for EMU, and turned them into 15 second-chance points.
Junior Ce’Nara Skanes helped with a team-leading five assists to the Eastern offense, recording her seventh contest with four or more assists.
Up Next, The Eagles are on the road again to face the University of Toledo on Saturday, Feb. 18. The matchup is scheduled to tipoff at 2 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
For more information on the EMU women’s basketball team, you can listen to “TheBlockE Podcast” weekly for more in-depth analyses, statistics, and more.
