“We just got sick and tired of getting our tails kicked, sick and tired of watching them hit open threes, and just decided to do something about it,” said head coach Sahar Nusseibeh. That determination fueled the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team to an extraordinary second-half comeback, turning a 20-point halftime deficit into a 72-60 victory over Xavier University on Friday night at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The win marked the Eagles’ first of the season and a milestone for Nusseibeh in her debut year leading the program.
The first half belonged entirely to Xavier, as the Musketeers shot an incredible 70.4% from the field and exploited gaps in Eastern Michigan’s defense to build a commanding 45-25 lead. Meanwhile, the Eagles struggled offensively, shooting just 32.0% from the floor and appearing on the verge of their sixth straight loss to open the season.
Halftime, however, was a turning point. The Eagles returned to the court with renewed energy and focus, opening the third quarter with an 18-1 run. By the end of the quarter, Eastern Michigan had outscored Xavier 24-3, seizing a 49-48 lead — their first entering the fourth quarter this season. The Eagles continued their dominance in the final period, outscoring Xavier 23-12 to secure the improbable win.
“To be down 20 at half and to come out that second half and put together a 24-3 third quarter, that requires a lot of maturity,” Nusseibeh said. “It requires a lot of toughness. It requires a lot of grit and resiliency, and those are words that we’ve been talking about up until this point.”
Eastern Michigan’s resurgence was driven by a season-best 13 three-pointers, with eight coming in the second half. Sisi Eleko led the charge with 23 points, including 21 in the second half, and added seven rebounds. “Sisi [Eleko], she's incredible; she's an incredible player. She's an incredible young person. I'm so proud of her growth… Her first half was a little rough, and I saw her get down, and I challenged her.. and maturity is response to when you're challenged. And she sure did. I mean, she had 21 points, took over the game the second half, and that's what she's capable of every game, and that's what she's shown every game,” Nusseibeh said.
Brooklyn Thrash contributed 16 points, including four three-pointers, while Mackenzie Amalia added 10 points and eight assists. Their collective efforts exemplified the team’s growing determination and chemistry, traits that had been lacking in earlier games.
The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the Eagles and marked their first double-digit comeback win in nearly a year. It also improved the team’s record to 2-0 all-time against Xavier and provided a much-needed confidence boost heading into a Dec. 15 matchup against No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend.
As the Eagles prepare for their next challenge, Nusseibeh emphasized the importance of growth both on and off the court. “The next two weeks is all about getting better,” she said. “It’s about getting back into the gym and working on Eastern Michigan. We’ve watched a ton of film. We know where we need work, and we know where we’re doing okay but can clean some things up. It’s also about spending more time together off the court, continuing to build the chemistry and relationships that absolutely transfer on.”
For now, Eastern Michigan can savor a win that showcases its resilience and potential, a thrilling reminder of what this team is capable of achieving.
