Eastern Michigan basketball player and fellow student killed

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - An Eastern Michigan University women's basketball player and another student were killed early Sunday when their car crossed the center line of a road and hit an oncoming vehicle, authorities say.

The collision happened about 1 a.m. in Ypsilanti Township, west of the school's Ypsilanti campus, the Washtenaw County sheriff's department said in a statement.

Shannise Heady, a 21-year-old junior forward for the Eagles, was driving when her car veered into the vehicle of a 22-year-old driver, who was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the sheriff's department said.

Heady, of Hazel Crest, Illinois, and her 23-year-old passenger, Jordan Hopkins, an Eastern Michigan senior from Dexter, died.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, the sheriff's department said.

"This is a tragic loss," said Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Jordan's and Shannise's families and friends at this difficult time."

Heady transferred to the Eastern Michigan in January 2013 from Seton Hall University, in northern New Jersey. She appeared in 22 games for the Eagles last season, averaging 5 points in 14.4 minutes. In 17 games this season, she was averaging 23.2 minutes and 7.9 points.

"Obviously this is one of our toughest days as a program ... as we mourn the loss of Shannise," coach Tory Verdi said in a statement. "We are truly devastated. ... Shannise was not only an inspiration to all of us, but she brought energy and liveliness to our team."

Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher said he "was shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic event."

The university said it would make counseling available to those who seek it.