Men’s Hoops Notches First Win of the Season

Box score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team put together a solid defensive effort to upend Central Connecticut State, 76-69, for its first victory of the season here at the John Thompson Classic held at Crisler Arena on the campus of the University of Michigan. The Eagles (1-1) forced 25 Blue Devil (0-2) turnovers and added 12 steals bringing their two game total to 30 on the season.

EMU had four players in double figures and was paced by junior Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA-Mott C.C.) who tallied a career-high 13 points with a career-high four three-pointers on 4-of-11 shooting from the field. Junior Nenad Banjanin (Belgrade, Serbia-Lon Morris J.C). also notched a career-high 10 points on a 4-of-7 shooting effort from the floor. Sophomore Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) chipped in 13 points, four assists and five steals with senior Craig Cashen (Cincinnati, Ohio-St. Xavier) scoring a season-high 12 points.

CCSU placed three players in double digits and was led by senior Obie Nwadike who scored a game-high 20 points. Jemino Sobers and Javier Mojica also chipped in 15 and 17 points respectively.

“We had a big half time lead yesterday (vs. Davison) and we could not hold on,” said Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey. “Today we did the same thing and they (Central Conn. State) took the lead but we were resilient, didn’t break and stayed with what we were doing to get the win. We grew up a lot today.”

After their second consecutive impressive first-half performance at the Classic, EMU took a 10 point half time lead into the locker room, 38-28. Central Conn. State came out in the second half and went on a 19-7 run to take its first lead of the game, 46-45. Bunkley hit a timely three-pointer to put the Eagles up two, 50-48, with 7:51 remaining.

The game was nip and tuck over the next five minutes with EMU clinging to a two point lead, 67-65, at the 2:23 mark when Bunkley struck again and hit another big three-pointer to give the Eagles a 70-65 lead. Eastern then hit six consecutive free throws to lock up the 76-69 victory.

EMU will play its final game at the John Thompson Classic against cross-town rival Michigan, Sunday, Nov. 12, at 4 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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