Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 13
Muncie, Ind.
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
56
at
52
Ball State
Men’s Basketball Upends Ball State
1/13/2007 4:46:11 PM | Men's Basketball
Bunkley notches career-high 22 points with six three-pointers
MUNCIE, Ind. — Lights out shooting by junior guard Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA-Mott C.C.) led the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team to a 56-52 Mid-American Conference West Division victory over Ball State University here Saturday afternoon at Worthen Arena. Bunkley tallied a career-high 22 points to lead all scorers, connecting on 6-of-13 three-pointers and also hitting two clutch free throws with two seconds left to ice the game giving EMU (7-9, 2-1 MAC) its first road win of the season.
In addition to Bunkley’s hot shooting, the EMU defense rose to the occasion notching eight steals with 16 points off turnovers. The Eagles utilized a zone defense for much of the game which held Ball State to just 34.6 percent shooting (18-of-52) from the field and 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from three-point range.
Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) was the only other Eagle in double figures scoring 14 points, with six rebounds and three assists. Freshman center Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) also led EMU on the glass with six rebounds.
Ball State (4-12, 0-3 MAC) was led by freshman guard Ahmaad Cook who notched a career-high 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc while junior center Micah Rollin added 13 points.
With 2:06 remaining, Ball State’s Micah Rollin hit a lay-up and added the foul shot for the three-point play. After an EMU turnover, Cook connected on two free-throws to pull the Cardinals within three, 50-47, with 1:30 left. The Eagles once again turned the ball over but BSU’s Jarelle Redden was unable to connect on a game-tying three. Craig Cashen (Cincinnati, Ohio-Xavier) hit two free throws to put the Eagles up by five ,52-47, but Redden then hit a jumper for the Cardinals making the score 52-49 with 16 seconds remaining. Medlock hit two more free throws to put the Eagles up 54-49 with 14 seconds to go but Ball State would not go away as Cook hit another three to pull the Red and White within two, 54-52. EMU was able to get the inbounds pass to Bunkley who was fouled with 1.6 seconds left. The junior calmly stepped to the line and drained both free throws to seal the 56-52 victory.
Both teams came out in the second half scoring 10 points each with EMU holding a 39-28 at the 14:25 mark. Bunkley continued his hot shooting, adding two more three-pointers. Back-to-back threes by Ball State’s Cook cut the Eagle lead to nine, 40-31, at the 11:36 mark. A Cashen lay-up and another Bunkley three put EMU back up by 10, 46-36. Another Cook three-point hoop pulled Ball State within seven, 46-39, with 4:17 remaining in the game.
Each team traded baskets back and fourth over the first three minutes with EMU leading 7-5. The pace continued with the scored tied 10-10 with 10:37 left in the half. Bunkley caught fire, connecting on three consecutive three pointers to give EMU it biggest lead, 21-13, at the 5:46 mark. Medlock was fouled shooting a three with five seconds remaining in the half and knocked down all three free throws to give the Eagles a 29-18 lead heading into the lockerroom. EMU closed out the half on an 8-3 run shooting a blistering 66.7 percent from three-point range connecting on 6-of-9 shots from behind the arc.
EMU returns home to the Convocation Center against Toledo Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m.
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