LONDON, Ont. - Fastbreaks, pressure defence and sweet perimeter shooting lifted the Eastern Michigan Eagles to a 93-71 win over the Western Mustangs in women's basketball pre-season play at Alumni Hall on Aug. 31.

Leading by as much as 30 points, the Eagles never trailed. They had two players with over 20 points, led by a 27-point performance from Tavelyn James, a junior guard from Detroit. Senior guard Sydney Huntley added 22 points, while junior forward Paige Redditt of Kansas City had 10 points and 11 boards for a double-double.

Senior Mustangs forward Matteke Hutzler of Napanee, Ont., scored 21 points and added eight rebounds and four assists along with a block and a steal in the loss for Western. Sophomore guard Jenny Vaughan  of Dundas, Ont., added  17 points.

BOX SCORE

The Eagles carried the play in the first half, using pressure and trap defences to cause fits for Western's guards.

Huntley scored seven of Eastern Michigan's first 13 points - finishing the half with 16 - to help the Eagles build an early 13-5 cushion.

Eastern Michigan led 27-12 after the first quarter, outscoring Western 16-2 on points off turnovers.

The Eagles continued to force turnovers - Western committed 16 in the first half alone - and stretched their lead to 39-19 midway through the second quarter.

But the Mustangs cut the lead to 47-32 at the half with better rebounding and effective passing out of the double-team.

Eastern Michigan continued to pour on the pressure in the third, leading 74-51 after thre third quarter.
A trey from rookie guard Desyree Thomas of Waterford, Mich., midway through the fourth quarter gave the Eagles their largest lead of the contest at 30 points at 85-55.

The teams combined for 43 turnovers in a high-octane game. The Mustangs' ability to get to the charity stripe - they scored 19 points from the free-throw line - helped them to stay in the game.

Western hosts the Eagles again on Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. at Alumni Hall.