To close out the 2024-2025 regular season, BGSU women’s basketball (17-12, 10-7 MAC) heads up to Ypsilanti to battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-26, 1-16 MAC) in one last game before the 2025 MAC Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Kaden Knapp will have the call on WBGU 88.1 FM starting at 1:45 p.m. for pregame and 2:00 p.m. with tipoff.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday afternoon will mark the 80th-ever matchup between Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan. The Falcons lead the series 58-21, including winning the first game against EMU this season, 90-76, at the Stroh Center.
Last season, the Falcons and the Eagles met on the final day of the 2023-24 regular season, with Eastern Michigan defeating Bowling Green 59-54.
BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons have won six of their last seven games, including a huge 84-61 win over the current fourth-seeded Kent State Golden Flashes.
Fifth-year guard Lexi Fleming is coming off a game where she scored 21 points in a quarter, which is a new program record. Senior guard Amy Velasco continues to dominate offensively and be the best in the MAC from the charity stripe, shooting 92.8% from the free-throw line. She is also first in total minutes and minutes played per game in the MAC.
Freshman guard Johnea Donahue leads the MAC in steals per game at 2.5, fourth in the conference in total steals with 65. Fifth-year forward Erika Porter is second in the MAC in field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive 55.7%.
Oh, and sophomore guard Paige Kohler? She is third in minutes played in the MAC, second in 3-point field goals per game, and has entered the top 10 in assists per game in the conference.
The starting five for head coach Fred Chmiel are in great form heading into Cleveland. But, the Eagles are one last pitstop before the tournament, and the Orange and Brown will look to take care of business on the road to earn their fifth away win of the season heading into the postseason.
EASTERN MICHIGAN
There haven’t been many positives for the Eagles this season. Only two wins, one win in conference play and an early elimination from the MAC tournament this season.
A bright spot for Eastern Michigan has been the production of Sisi Eleko, who is second in the MAC in scoring at 17.8 points per game (PPG) right behind Buffalo’s Chellia Watson. Eleko is also first in the MAC in rebounding, at 10.2 rebounds per game (RPG).
A win against the Falcons would be the Eagles’ first MAC home win of the season. They are 0-8 at home in conference play and 1-8 on the road, with their one win coming against NIU 76-72 in DeKalb.
Safe to say it’s been a tough season for first-year head coach Sahar Nusseibeh. But a win against Bowling Green to close out the season could help the Eagles end the year on a positive note.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
#1 Senior Guard – Amy Velasco, Bowling Green
Velasco past 1,500 points against Kent State. The Centerville, Ohio, native is one of two players in the program to score more than 1,500 points and also record more than 400 assists. Could be another big game for Velasco in her last regular-season game for the Falcons.
#3 Freshman Guard – Johnea Donahue, Bowling Green
Donahue has been tasked this season with guarding the opposing team’s best offensive player. Saturday should be no different and will likely have matchups against Eleko. Her form has been excellent for the Orange and Brown during the final stretch of the season.
#33 Junior Forward – Sisi Eleko, Eastern Michigan
In case it wasn’t clear earlier, Eleko has been one of the best players in the MAC this season, whether it’s scoring or rebounding. She’s been the brightest spot for the Eagles this season and will look to shine one final time before the curtain call on the season.
#1 Junior Guard – Olivia Smith, Eastern Michigan
While Eleko has gotten most of the love, Smith has been effective for the Eagles this season as well whether it’s been in the starting five or off the bench. She is averaging 9.6 PPG and is also second on the team in total assists with 67.
