Eastern Drops a 62-47 Decision at Detroit

Box score.

DETROIT, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball dropped a 62-47 decision to the University of Detroit Mercy Saturday evening, Nov. 22, in non-conference action at historic Calihan Hall. In a game that was plagued with a combined 48 turnovers, the Titans used a 30-15 run to open the second half and effectively put the game out of reach.

Eastern Michigan drops to 1-3 on the young season, while Detroit picks up its first win of the year to improve to 1-2. The Titans have had the Eagles number, winning the last seven straight games and 56 of the 72 games in the all-time series.

A pair of Eagles reached double figures led by L.J. Fraizer (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Ypsilanti) with a career-high 14 points. Solomon Farris (Detroit, Mich.-Osborn) poured in 13 to go along with a personal-best eight rebounds. Three Titans reached double figures in points led by Eulis Stephens with 13 points in addition to Xavier Keeling and Thomas Kennedy who each had 12 points.

EMU managed just 36.6 percent (16-of-45) from the floor compared to 45.1 percent (23-of-51) for UDM. In the second half the Titans managed blistering 57.1 percent (16-of-28) clip from the floor and a 50.0 percent (6-of-12) ratio from behind the arc.

Out of the gate the Titans raced out to an early 6-0 edge, but a Fraizer layup and a pair of Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) free throws with 14:39 showing in the first period. Two more free throws by Frazier and Brandon Bowdry (St. Louis, Mo.-Taylor (Mich.) Truman) gave Eastern the 8-6 edge, as the UDM offense went silent for the nearly six minutes before Keeling rolled one in to end the skid and tie it back up with 10:14 to go.

The methodical style of play continued for both sides, as the two rivals tried to establish the game’s tempo with EMU holding a slim 10-8 edge with 8:30 remaining.

After exchanging scores, the Eagles were able to take their largest lead of the contest at 5, 18-13, with 3:21 left when Bowdry banked in a pair off free throws. However, just as quickly the lead disappeared as Detroit would go on a 5-4 run to close the half down just three at 21-18.

Both sides struggled to shoot the rock, as EMU managed a 31.6 percent (6-of-19) clip while UDM was 7-of-23 for a 30.4 percent attack. EMU dominated the free throw strip in the opening 20 minutes, connecting on 9-of-10 attempts. Turnovers plagued both sides with a 25 combined 25 miscues (EMU 12, UDM 13). Bowdry paced the Green and White with six points while Michael Harrington had five to lead the Titans.

Following the break the momentum was swinging back in favor of the Titans, as Detroit was able to go back on top 26-27 via a Donavan Foster three-pointer with 16:11 to go. The sides would exchange possessions as turnovers continued to mount.

Back-to-back treys by Stephens and Nemanja Jokic expanded the lead to seven, 33-26, and forced the Eagles to burn a timeout with 14:35 to play. A Dobbins layup ended the 3:05 EMU scoring skid to make it 33-28 but Detroit continued to press the tempo down the floor.

EMU would answer with two straight three-pointers from Frazier and Solomon Farris (Detroit, Mich.-Osborn) to cut the deficit to a pair, 36-34. But just as quickly the UDM margin would balloon back to eight, 42-34, when Kenndy’s runner in the lane fell at the 10:27 mark. Following the play EMU head coach Charles E. Ramsey was whistled for a technical foul sending the Titans to the line for two more points.

Things continued to fall in favor of the home team, as a Keeling expanded the lead to as many as 17 points, 55-38, with 5:11 left. EMU would get no closer than 12 points the rest of the way, as the Titans cruised to the 62-47 decision.

The Eagles to return to action in the consolation round of the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-off, Nov. 25-25, at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y. EMU will face St. John’s University Monday evening at 8 p.m. followed by a Tuesday afternoon tilt with Cornell University at 5:45 p.m. Both games will once again be broadcast exclusively on EMUEagles.com as a part of the EagleNation Radio Network. Log-on to http://www.emueagles.com/stream.asx to listen to all the action.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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