Women's Basketball Welcomes Detroit Mercy to the Convo

Women's Basketball vs. Detroit Mercy
Date	Tuesday, Dec. 6 \| 7 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center (8,784)
Preview Info	EMU Notes
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN3
Listen	WEMU 89.1 FM
Twitter	@EMUWBB \| @EMUAthletics
Tickets	Order Tickets Online or call 734.487.2282 \| Clear Bag Policy

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – For the first time 20 days, the Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team will play on its home floor when its hosts the University of Detroit Mercy Tuesday, Dec. 6. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center.
   The Eagles (3-4, 0-0 MAC) return to the court after a bye week following a three-game road trip to San Antonio, Texas, in which the team posted a 1-2 record. Meanwhile, the Titans (3-5, 0-0) are looking for their second triumph away from Calihan Hall this season following a 111-91 setback at the University of Minnesota, Dec. 3.
   The contest will be shown on ESPN3. WEMU (89.1 FM) will provide audio coverage of the game with Chad Bush and Greg Steiner calling the action on the court.

EMU AGAINST THE HORIZON LEAGUE: EMU owns a 53-40 record against the Horizon League all-time. Home to Detroit Mercy and nine other institutions, the Eagles have battled all but one of the members of the Indianapolis, Ind.-based conference.
   Given the proximity, it comes as no surprise that EMU has squared off against UDM more than any other Horizon League opponent, with 25 meetings taking place between the two all-time. While Eastern trails in the all-time series, 14-11, against Detroit Mercy, EMU holds the upperhand versus Cleveland State, 11-4. The Eagles also lead the series with Illinois-Chicago (8-3), Valparaiso (5-3), Wright State (6-0), and Youngstown State (4-2). The Green and White sit level with Oakland (7-7) and Milwaukee (2-2) all-time, and are winless in the all-time series against Green Bay, 0-5.

IN-STATE COMPETITION: The Titans are one of four opponents on the Eagles' 2016-17 schedule that call Michigan home. Eastern Michigan has thrived against in-state competition over the years, compiling a 152-137 advantage over in-state opponents. The Eagles have been most successful against Western Michigan, piecing together a 47-33 mark versus the Broncos. Meanwhile, Michigan State has been the toughest opponent for EMU, leading the all-time series 15-1 over the Eagles.

TAKING ON THE TITANS: Detroit Mercy and Eastern Michigan have squared off 25 times since the 1976-1977 campaign, including in each of the past 10 seasons. The Titans hold the 14-11 edge in the all-time series, while the Eagles have controlled the rivalry as of late, winning the last three meetings. Most recently, the Green and White rode a 47-21 lead to a 85-68 win at Calihan Hall. The game proved to be one of the Eagles' most efficient games of the year as EMU converted a season-best 53.1 shots from the field.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: The Eagles have racked up a solid home-court advantage inside the friendly confines of the Convocation Center since the doors opened during the 1998-99 campaign. Eastern Michigan has won 73 of the last 97 home games dating back to the 2008-09 season. The Green and White have won 68.2 percent of the contests played in the building, piling up a 167-78 all-time mark.

THIRD QUARTER WOES: The third quarter has been a struggle for the Eagles through the first seven games of the season, especially offensively, where the Green and White have been outscored 131-113. In fact, the third period is the only quarter in which EMU is being outscored. The Eagles are shooting 33.6 percent (40-for-119) from the field, compared to their opponents 40.7 field goal percentage (48-for-118) in the frame.
   When excluding EMU's game against Ferris State, Eastern is connecting on just 32 percent (32-of-100) of its shots in the quarter against NCAA Division I institutions. Meanwhile, DI opponents have knocked down 44-of-101 shots for a 44.6 field goal percentage.

DIALING IN FROM LONG DISTANCE: After knocking down a season-best 40.0 percent of their shots from beyond the arc in their season opener, the Eagles struggled from long range. In the four games following its season opener, EMU shot no better than 21.1 percent from three-point range in game this season. Since then, the Eagles have dialed in from distance, shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc, while knocking down 17-of-44 triples over the past two games. In the Nov. 29 win over Incarnate Word, the Green and White sank a season-high 10 treys, including a career-high seven triples by Sasha Dailey.

RACKING UP THE REJECTIONS: Through the first seven games, the Eagles have registered 28 blocks, a mark that ranks them first in the league and 87th nationally. The Green and White average 4.0 rejections per game, a mark that would rank second all-time if the Eagles can keep up that pace this season.

RUNNIN' THE FLOOR: Through seven games, the Eagles have showcased their ability to get out in transition and take advantage of numbers, as EMU has outscored opponents 67-28 in fastbreak points this season.

A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE LEADERS: Eastern Michigan has positioned itself near the top of multiple statistical categories in the Mid-American Conference as of Dec. 3. Let's take a look...
   Player   Category   Rank   Number
    Sasha Dailey   Points per game   2nd   20.3 (25th nationally)
   Micah Robinson   Minutes played per game   1st   36.0 (37th nationally)
   Sasha Dailey   Field goals attempted   2nd   115 (41st nationally)
   Sasha Dailey   Field goals made   3rd   49 (63rd nationally)
   EMU   Three Pt FG Defense   3rd   27.1 (68th nationally)
   Sasha Dailey   3-Point FG Percentage   4th   43.2 (72nd nationally)
   Phillis Webb   Free throw percentage   5th   85.7 (73rd nationally)
   EMU   Blocked Shots   1st   28 (87th nationally)
   EMU   Rebounds   5th   305 (93rd nationally)
   Sasha Dailey   Free throws made   2nd   28 (94th nationally)
   Phills Webb   Steals   3rd   15 (144th nationally)

CASHING IN ON SECOND CHANCE OPPORTUNITIES: The Eagles have totaled 305 rebounds through seven games, including 99 boards that came on the offensive end of the floor. EMU has made the most of its second chance opportunities, cashing them in for 83 points.

ROBINSON EMBRACING HER NEW ROLE: After spending her first two seasons serving as the Eagles back-up point guard and amassing just 376 minutes of playing time, Micah Robison has embraced her new role in her junior season. Taking on the responsibilities of the Green and White's primary ball handler, Robinson has thrived while starting all seven of Eastern's games this season. Averaging a team-high 36.0 minutes per game, Robinson has scored 65 points, 22 more than her career point total coming into the season. Additionally, the Ann Arbor product has posted career-highs in free throws made (19), field goals (22), and rebounds (47).

CLIMBING THE RANKS: Senior Phillis Webb came into her final season ranked 21st in Eastern Michigan history with 509 rebounds. This season, Webb has grabbed 50 boards, moving her into 18th-place with 559 caroms. Nikki Knapp holds the program record with 802 career rebounds, while Webb is 14 boards behind Denise Allen for 17th-place on the all-time list.

LAST TIME OUT: Led by junior Sasha Dailey's 25-point effort, the Eagles crusied to a 66-47 win over Incarnate Word, Nov. 29, closing out a three-game stint in the Lonestar State. Dailey was one of four Eagles to reach double figures in the contest, as the Green and White led by as many as 26 before coming away with the 19-point victory.

ON THE HORIZON: The Eagles continue a brief three-game homestand Friday, Dec. 9, against St. Bonaventure following Tuesday night's in-state showdown with Detroit Mercy. Tipoff for Education Day between the Eagles and the Bonnies is slated for 11 a.m. inside the Convocation Center.

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Players Mentioned

Sasha Dailey

Micah Robinson

Phillis Webb

Eastern Michigan Athletics