Men’s Basketball Takes Out Buffalo

Box score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. — Behind a career-high 26 points from sophomore point guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright), the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team defeated the University at Buffalo, 89-76, here Sunday night in a Mid-American Conference cross divisional game in the Convocation Center. The victory snapped a three-game losing skid for the Eagles and eclipses the team’s win total of seven from last season.

EMU (8-12, 3-4 MAC) used two second half runs to score 89 points, its highest point total this season. The last time EMU scored at least 89 points was Dec. 23, 2004 when the Eagles defeated Cleveland State, 89-76, at the Convocation Center. It also was the most points in a MAC victory since Feb. 21, 2000 when EMU defeated Western Michigan, 93-71.

Medlock’s 26 points led the Eagles while junior guard Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA) added 15, and Brandon Bowdry (Taylor, Mich.-Truman) and Jarred Axon (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson-Schoolcraft C.C.) scored 10 each. The Eagles outshot the Bulls, 52.7 percent (29-of-55) to 47.2 percent (25-of-53) from the field and also from beyond the three-point arc, 47.8 percent (11-of-23) to 44.4 percent (4-of-9). Buffalo held a 34-29 rebound advantage with senior forward Yassin Idbihi hauling in a game-high 10 boards. Freshman Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) paced the Eagles with six rebounds.

Buffalo (9-11; 1-6 MAC) was paced by sophomore guard Eric Moore who poured in 22 points. Idbihi and freshman forward Max Boudreau added 11 points each for the Bulls.

After posting a 37-35 halftime lead EMU opened the second half on an 11-0 run as Bowdry hit consecutive lay ups to put the Eagles ahead 41-35 and Eastern never trailed from that point. Medlock then added three free throws to extend the lead to 44-35 at the 17:26 mark. The run continued as Medlock finished a three-point play to put EMU 13, 48-35. Buffalo ended the Eagle run with a 6-0 run of their own hitting consecutive three-point hoops cutting the lead to 48-41. EMU then went on another run, outscoring Buffalo 10-3 over the next eight minutes to take a 58-45 lead with 11:48 remaining. The Eagles’ offense continued its scoring effort, outscoring Buffalo, 22-13, to extend its lead to 80-58 at the 4:35 mark. Buffalo pulled within seven, 85-68, before a thunder dunk by Nick Freer (Stevensville, Mich.-Stevensville) put EMU up nine, 87-68. EMU went on to cruise to an 89-79 victory.

The beginning of the game was nip and tuck with neither team able to pull away as Eastern held a slim 13-12 lead at the 12:33 mark. Both teams traded baskets over the next five minutes with Buffalo holding an 18-17 lead with seven minutes remaining in the half. EMU responded with three consecutive three-point hoops, by Bunkley, Medlock and Axon, to go ahead 28-22 at the 5:16 mark. Buffalo came back with an 11-3 run to retake the lead, 33-31, with 2:50 left in the half. Bunkley then hit a jumper to end EMU’s scoring drought tying the score at 33-33. With the score deadlocked at 35-35. Medlock put the Eagles up 37-35 heading into the locker room. Medlock led all scorers with 15 points while Moore paced the Bulls with 13 points.

EMU remains home for its third consecutive MAC cross-divisional tilt, against Akron, Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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