EMU Wins Behind Dobbins' Double-Double

Box Score.

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to beat the Manhattan College Jaspers, 61-57 here Wednesday at Draddy Gymnasium in a non-conference tilt. EMU was lead by Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville), who enjoyed a career night with his first double-double, notching 22 points and 14 rebounds.

With the win the Eagles move to 2-2 (0-0 MAC) while the Jaspers fall to 2-2. Eastern will stay on the road in New York, for a Saturday, Nov. 24, 4 p.m. game at St. Bonaventure.

The Eastern offense came alive in the second half, outscoring the Jaspers 44-30, and the defense also rose to the task, holding Manhttan to 36.4 percent from the field (8-of-22), and for the game the Eagle defense limited the home team to 37.7 percent on 20-of-53 shooting. After shooting 30.4 percent in the first half (7-of-23), the Eagles closed the game by shooting 59.1 percent in the second half (13-of-22).

Eastern also won the battle on the boards, out rebounding Manhattan 35-28.

Senior Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA) was the offensive catalyst in the second half, scoring all 19 in the second half, including 6-of-9 behind the arc. Junior guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) added 10 points to go along with nine assists on the game. Junior college forward Wendale Farrow (Sacramento, Calif.-Mira Loma/American River JC) added seven rebounds.

After falling behind 4-0 to start the game, the Jaspers would rally to take a 27-17 lead into halftime. Manhattan strung together a 20-6 run over a span of 13 minutes, forcing 10 EMU turnovers.

Patrick Bouli led the Jaspers with nine first half points on 4-of-6 shooting, helping Manhattan shoot 38.7 percent as a team while holding the Eagles to just 30.4 percent on 7-of-23 shooting. Turnovers would prove to be costly for both teams, with EMU committing 12 and the Jaspers 7 in the opening half.

The Green and White would put together a run of their own to start the second half; going on 18-8 run that would even the score at 35 with 12:22 remaining in the game. Both teams would trade baskets over the next four possessions before Jesse Bunkley would hit his third three pointer of the night, giving EMU their first lead since the opening minutes, 42-39, with 10:09 remaining.

Eastern took a 52-50 lead with 4:19 remaining on a three pointer by Bunkley and did not look back. EMU would go up as much as six, 58-52 with 21 seconds left on a free throw by Dobbins, holding on for the four-point victory

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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