Eagles Come Up Short Versus Zips

Box score.

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team overcame a 14 point second-half deficit but it was not enough as the Eagles fell short, 70-60, to MAC East Division leader Akron here Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.

In a game of runs Akron(16-4, 7-1 MAC) used a 20-6 run midway through the second-half to pull away from Eastern for good after a 16-5 Eagles run had cut the lead to one. Despite being almost even in the turnovers department, Akron was able to do more with the opportunities they were given shooting 54 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from behind the arc. Eastern Michigan hit 23-of-54 shots at a 42.6 percent clip. The Eagles also hit 7-of-19 (36.8 percent) from three point range

Akron had four players in double digits with Dru Joyce, Cedrick Middleton and Wuade Milum leading the way with 13 points each. Forward Jeremiah Wood pitched in by grabbing nine rebounds. Devon Dumes (Indianapolis, Ind.-Decatur Central) paced the Eagles with 12 points, while James Matthews (Detroit, Mich.-Denby) added 11 points of his own.

The Eagles opened up the second half cutting the lead to single digits, 43-36, thanks to three-pointers by Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA-Mott C.C.) and Zane Gay (Olivet, Mich – Olivet) and a three point play by Brandon Bowdry (Taylor, Mich.-Truman). Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) and Bowdry lay-ups in the middle of a 16-5 Eagles run cut the lead to one. Both teams traded baskets for the next two minutes starting with a Dumes three-pointer to keep the game close. A dunk by Nate Linhart gave the Zips some breathing room, expanding their lead to 7 points, 55-48. Three-pointers by Joyce and Middleton broke open the game and gave the Zips a 15 point lead, 64-49. The game was nip and tuck down the stretch but the Eagles could not close the gap and fell 70-60.

Both teams traded baskets over the first five minutes of the game with EMU leading 7-6 at the first media timeout. Akron went on a 9-2 run before a Matthews jumper cut the Zips’ lead to 15-11. A Dumes three-pointer pulled the Eagles within three 17-14 with 11:20 remaining in the first half. Back to back three-pointers kick-started a 18-4 Akron run put the Zips up 35-16 with 5:27 remaining in the first half. A lay up and jumper by Nenad Banjanin (Belgrade, Serbia-Lon Morris (Texas) J.C.) stopped the bleeding and cut the Akron lead to 15, 35-20. The Eagles got five points off a Matthews jumper and Gay three-pointer to head into the locker room down 14, 39-25. The Eagles balanced first half attack was led by four players leading the way with four points each. Quade Milum led the Zips in first half scoring with 11 points.

EMU hits the road for a MAC tilt against Kent State Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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