Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Illinois
Eagles Fly Past Panthers, 65-50
2/18/2006 11:37:42 PM | Men's Basketball
Senior John Bowler scored 24 points and pulled down 15 rebounds
Box score.
CHARLESTON, Ill. — The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team overcame a slow start to post a 65-50 win over Eastern Illinois University here Saturday in Lantz Arena in a Bracket Buster by E-Bay game.
The Bracket Busters concept includes games between 100 mid-major schools from various leagues. As part of the Bracket Busters concept, EMU and EIU will play a regular-season game in Ypsilanti next season.
In Saturday’s battle, the Eagles staked the Panthers to a nine-point lead, 16-7, with 11:34 left in the first half before the offense finally moved into high gear.
Freshman point guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) got the Eagles jump-started with a three-point field goal followed by a layup to cut the Panthers’ advantage to four, 16-12, with 10:50 left.
EMU’s offense continued to hit on all cylinders, outscoring the home team by a 27-10 margin over the final 11 minutes of the first half to take a 34-26 halftime lead.
The visiting continued their potent offensive effort with a strong defensive stand in the second half, holding a double-digit lead through most of the second half.
Senior John Bowler (Chicago, Ill.-Notre Dame H.S.) continued his outstanding season with the 28th double-double of his career with 24 points and 15 rebounds. Medlock added 15 points and Danny McElhinny (Hermitage, Penn.-Kennedy Catholic) added nine points, including hitting three three-point field goals to give him 58 on the season.
The Eagles shot 45.5 percent for the game, hitting 20-of-44 field goals while holding the Panthers to just 39.1 percent from the field, connecting on 18-of-46 attempts. EMU held a huge advantage on the board, 37-22.
The win boosted EMU to 6-17 overall while Eastern Illinois drops to 6-19.
