Eagles Defeat Broncos, 81-71

Box Score.

YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team picked up its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season, 81-71, over instate rival Western Michigan University here at the Convocation Center Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles used a 43-point second half effort to corral the Broncos, improving to 5-9 (1-1 MAC), breaking their five-game losing streak, while Western falls to 7-8 (1-1 MAC). The visitors were without head coach Steve Hawkins, who was absent due to illness. Assistant coach Clayton Bates filled in for Hawkins.

Leading the way for the Eagles was junior guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) with 16 points. Senior James Matthews (Detroit, Mich.-Denby) had a double-double for the Eagles with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while senior guard Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix) added another 15 points in the win.

The Eagles got on the board early in the first half on a lay-up by sophomore center Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) followed by a three pointer by Lewis to give the home team a 5-0 advantage before the Broncos were able to score on a three pointer by David Kool at the 18:01 mark.

The Green and White put up three more points before another Western trey, but both teams went silent for nearly four minutes before Matthews hit a jumper to put the home team up, 10-9.

The Eagles went on a 8-0 run, including two junior Zane Gay (Olivet, Mich.-Olivet) lay ups, to put the Green and White up, 21-13, at the 8:42 mark. Andre Ricks got Western back on the board with a jumper shortly after, but the Eagles held their largest lead of the first half at 11 points, 30-19, at the 4:43 mark on a lay-up by Gay.

The Green and White headed into the locker room with a 38-33 advantage. Lewis led the Eagles in scoring heading into the half, with 10 point and six rebounds, while Ricks led the visiting Broncos with eight points.

After the break at half, the Broncos stormed back, tying the game at 40 before going ahead, 43-40, with 16:46 remaining in the game. Western continued to increase its lead before the Eagles climbed back and tied the game at 47 with 12:37 left in the game.

Eastern held the Broncos without a field goal for nearly four minutes while taking the lead back, increasing their lead to six with 7:58 remaining.

It was all Eagle ball from their, as the closest the Broncos could get in the remaining five minutes of the game was six points.

Up next, Eastern will head to DeKalb, Ill., this Wednesday, Jan. 12, to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. CST.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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