BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Eastern Michigan Eagles delivered a commanding defensive performance to rout the Canisius Golden Griffins in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday night at the Koessler Athletic Center.

The Eagles, who were given less than a 23 percent chance to win by advanced metrics, dominated from the opening tip, holding the Golden Griffins to a historically low scoring output en route to a lopsided victory.

Eastern Michigan set the tone immediately with a suffocating first-quarter effort, outscoring Canisius 22-2. The Eagles’ defense was relentless, forcing a series of early turnovers and holding the Golden Griffins without a field goal for the entire period. Canisius’s only points came from two Shariah Gailes free throws with just over three minutes remaining in the quarter.

The offensive onslaught was fueled by a balanced attack and overwhelming production in the paint. Eastern Michigan finished with 42 points in the paint compared to just six for Canisius. The Eagles also capitalized on 28 points off turnovers, consistently converting the Golden Griffins’ 20-plus miscues into easy baskets.

Believe Tshibangu came off the bench to lead the Eagles in scoring, pouring in 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds in just 15 minutes of action. The Courtice, Canada, native was a model of efficiency, consistently finishing through contact inside.

She was complemented by a double-double from Sisi Eleko. The 6-foot-2 forward from Montreal, Canada, controlled the interior with 10 points and 11 rebounds, adding a block and a steal in 31 minutes. The backcourt duo of Peyton Hill and Brooklyn Thrash each added 12 points, with Hill also contributing four rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

For Canisius, the struggles were comprehensive. The team shot a frigid percentage from the floor and managed only 10 points in both the second and third quarters before a late push in the fourth against Eastern Michigan’s reserves made the final margin slightly more respectable. Irene Rey Pineda led the Golden Griffins with 12 points, while Shariah Gailes added 11 points and six rebounds.

Eastern Michigan’s ball movement, orchestrated by point guard Ainhoa Cea, who dished out five assists, proved too much for the Canisius defense. The Eagles built a 31-point halftime lead and never looked back, maintaining a pace and physicality that the Golden Griffins could not match.

The loss extends a difficult start to the season for Canisius, which fell to 0-2 after a 100-40 road loss to Michigan earlier in the week. The Golden Griffins will look to regroup on the road at Syracuse on Tuesday.

Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, evened its record at 1-1 after a season-opening loss at Louisiana-Monroe. The Eagles’ dominant road victory provides significant momentum as they prepare for a quick turnaround and a short trip to face in-state foe Michigan State on Sunday.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 809 at the Koessler Athletic Center. The final result stood in stark contrast to the projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a high-scoring tie and whose ELO rating system gave Canisius a 77.8 percent probability of victory.