Press Convention

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Japanese Michigan College girls’s basketball workforce took a 60-59 benefit into the fourth quarter, however couldn’t cling on and fell 79-73 to the College of North Dakota Preventing Hawks Sunday, Dec. 4, contained in the George Gervin GameAbove Middle. 

The Eagles (5-1) had 4 gamers rating in double figures, led by senior Natalia Pineda (Miami, Fla.-John A. Ferguson), who had 19 factors and three blocks. Sophomore ZaNiya Nelson (Oklahoma Metropolis, Okla.-Putnam Metropolis West) added 16 factors, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and three steals whereas freshman Olivia Smith (Fort Wayne, Ind.-South Aspect) chipped in as effectively with 15 factors and three steals. Sophomore Lachelle Austin (Redford, Mich.-Wayne Memorial) rounded out the group with 11 factors, three rebounds, and 4 assists. 

The Japanese Michigan offense was sturdy from deep, making eight threes on 33 makes an attempt. Pineda hit 5 treys for the Eagles within the contest.

Japanese Michigan compelled 18 North Dakota turnovers whereas committing 17 themselves in Sunday’s sport. The Eagles turned these takeaways into 16 factors on the opposite finish of the ground. Moreover, Nelson’s three steals led the way in which for Japanese Michigan.

How It Occurred
After trailing 11-8, Japanese Michigan went on a 5-0 run with 3:53 left within the first quarter to take a 13-11 lead. The Eagles then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 19-17.

The Eagles then minimize the Preventing Hawks result in 27-26 earlier than occurring a 6-0 run, highlighted by a 3 from Smith, to take a 32-27 lead. UND minimize into that lead, however the Eagles nonetheless loved a 43-39 benefit heading into halftime.

North Dakota then took a 57-55 lead following intermission earlier than Japanese Michigan went on one other 5-0 run, punctuated by one other basket from Smith, to seize a 60-57 lead with 1:01 to go within the third. Earlier than the conclusion of the third interval, the Preventing Hawks had minimize into that lead considerably, however the Eagles nonetheless entered the fourth quarter with a 60-59 edge. EMU knocked down three three-pointers within the quarter to attain 9 of its 17 complete factors.

North Dakota then erased the Japanese Michigan lead within the sport’s last quarter for a 79-73 comeback victory. Japanese Michigan received up and down the court docket shortly within the quarter, scoring three quick break factors.

Recreation Notes
» With the Eagles 73 factors within the contest, EMU has scored a minimum of 70 factors in all six video games this season. Final 12 months, EMU hit that quantity simply 9 instances in 27 complete video games and had its longest stretch of three consecutive video games of the kind simply as soon as. The six consecutive 70+ factors for the Eagles surpasses final season’s longest streak.  
» Getting back from an damage, sophomore Kyndal Lewis (Belton, Mo.-Belton) appeared in her second sport of the season, enjoying a career-high 19 minutes. The Missouri native was an ideal 1-for-1 from the sphere, and drew three private fouls, incomes two factors on 4 free-throw makes an attempt. Her 4 complete scores units as a season-high for Lewis, and was shy two from her profession excessive six, set in opposition to Grand Canyon College, Nov. 19, 2021. 
» Nelson scored 16 factors within the sport for Japanese Michigan, the third most in a sport in her profession (21 vs. FAMU, Nov. 19, and 18 at SIU-E, Nov. 13) . The hassle was the third time this season she has scored 16 or extra factors together with her 79 season factors main the Inexperienced and White. Moreover, her 9 rebounds within the contest marked as a profession excessive for the sophomore, topping her eight in opposition to Lindenwood College, Nov. 7. This was the fourth sport of the season wherein the sophomore has recorded double-digit factors, tying the 4 video games she recorded in double-digits throughout the 2021-22 season. Nelson dished out 4 assists in opposition to the Preventing Hawks topping her earlier career-high two help at Ball State College, Mar. 5, and improves her season complete by 200% going from two previous to the sport to 6. 
» Smith additionally had an excellent sport for Japanese Michigan, scoring 15 factors and doling out two assists with three steals. The 15 factors within the sport is the second time this season she has scored double digits in factors, and marks because the freshman’s career-high, topping her 13 in opposition to Lindenwood College, Nov. 7. 
» Pineda was 5-of-8 from the three-point vary within the sport to mark the fourth time in her profession she has scored a minimum of 4 triples in a contest with the final coming Nov. 27, 2019, on a 4-of-9 capturing efficiency at house in opposition to the College of Michigan. At present’s career-high efficiency additionally marks simply the second time she has hit 4 or extra treys in a house sport as her first two video games of 4 makes each got here on the highway throughout the 2018-19 season (Nov. 27, 2018, at Purdue College Fort Wayne and Jan. 9, 2019, at Kent State College). Pineda completed the sport with a career-high 19 factors, topping her earlier excessive 17 set in opposition to FAMU, Nov. 19. She was additionally an ideal 2-for2 from the charity stripe, registered 5 boards, two blocks, and dished out three helpers.
» Japanese Michigan discovered success from past the arc, flattening eight treys within the sport. The eight three’s ties with the eight made in opposition to North Dakota State College, Dec. 1 for a season excessive. Moreover, the Inexperienced and White have made 5 or extra buckets from past the three-point line in all however one sport this season, scoring solely two at SIU-E, Nov. 13. 
» Japanese Michigan has now dominated the turnover battle, 115-97, this season. The Inexperienced and White compelled 18 Preventing Hawks turnovers whereas committing 17 themselves. The workforce is now 4-1 in video games the place the opponent turns the ball over extra instances than Japanese.
» EMU had 4 gamers in double digit factors in opposition to UND’s protection. It was the sixth consecutive sport wherein the workforce has registered three or extra gamers in double-figures. Moreover, it was the fourth contest with 4 gamers in double-digits.

Historic Notes
» With 5 made three-point baskets on the day, Pineda is the primary Eagle to hit for 5 or extra in a sport since former Eagle Danielle Rainey drained 5 at house in opposition to Northern Illinois College, Jan. 22, 2022. Rainey additionally completed the feat earlier that season with 5 in opposition to Grace Christian College, Nov. 18, 2021.
» The sport was the third all-time assembly between the Eagles and the Preventing Hawks. UND leads the all-time sequence, two video games to at least one.

Up Subsequent
Japanese Michigan continues its house stretch Saturday, Dec. 10, by enjoying host to the Screaming Eagles of the College of Southern Indiana with a 1 p.m. tip. The sport, which might be broadcast reside on ESPN+ might be performed contained in the George Gervin GameAbove Middle.