The Eastern Michigan University’s women’s basketball team (15-15, 7-11 MAC) fell in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament to the number two seed, Bowling Green State University, 70-36, on March 8, inside Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Wednesday’s matchup marked the 75th overall meeting between the Eagles and the Falcons. With EMU and BGSU’s nine MAC tournament matchups, BGSU takes a 6-3 lead over the Eagles. Both teams have met twice in the semifinals as the Falcons won both games in 2005 and 2007.
The opening round marks the 54th time EMU has played in the MAC tournament. As they entered this year as the number seven seed, the Eagles are 4-5 in the MAC tournament with Head Coach Fred Castro.
Sophomore Tayra Eke led the Eagles in the contest with 11 points, four assists, and two blocks as Senior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu added 10 points. LaChelle Austin tallied eight points, five assists, and three steals to lead the Eagles.
Austin and freshman Olivia Smith both scored a three-pointer beyond the arc. Smith’s three records her 51st season mark from the three-point line and retains her team-leader status in made-triples.
EMU’s defense played well forcing 14 BGSU turnovers and turning them into 10 points.
In the first quarter, EMU scored 14 of its 36 total points. BGSU had a 35-15 advantage over the Eagles by halftime.
The Eagles started to cut into the deficit ending the third quarter with a 45-26 disadvantage. The Eagles scored eight of their 11 points in the paint.
EMU could not pick up the pace ultimately losing 70-36 to BGSU. With the tough loss, the Eagles still scored three fast break points.
BGSU would go on to the championship round before eventually losing to the number one seeded University of Toledo.
With the 2022-23 season now officially over, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team sets its sights on the off-season.
For more information on the EMU women’s basketball team, you can listen to “TheBlockE Podcast” weekly for more in-depth analysis, statistics, and more.
