EMU Rally Comes Up Short at Toledo, 72-63

Box score.

TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo avenged an earlier loss this season with a 72-63 win over a visiting Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team on a snowy Tuesday evening, March 4, in Mid-American Conference West Division action at John F. Savage Hall.

The Eagles won the first meeting this season, 68-44, Jan. 22, in Ypsilanti, but the Rockets came back this time around with a strong inside game to post the win. Eastern, who trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, mounted a fast and furious rally to take slim one-point lead with 6:30 to play. But Toledo would regroup and outscore EMU 16-6 down the stretch to capture the victory.

With the loss Eastern Michigan (12-16, 7-8 MAC) falls into third place in the MAC West Division, a game ahead of Toledo (9-18, 6-8 MAC) heading into the final game of the regular season. Central Michigan (13-15, 8-7 MAC) remains in second place following a 72-68 victory over MAC West leader Western Michigan.

EMU was led by junior guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting. Senior guard Jarred Axon (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson (Schoolcraft C.C.)) knocked down 12 points to go along with senior Jesse Bunkley’s (Detroit, Mich.-CMA (Mott C.C.)) 11 points.

Toledo’s Tyrone Kent turned in a game-high 23 points as four Rockets notched double figures in points.

Eastern road struggles continued, as the Green and White dropped to 3-12 away from the friendly confines of the EMU Convocation Center. Additionally, it marked the Eagles fourth straight loss in the Glass City, with the EMU’s last win in Toledo occurring Feb. 14, 2004.

Eastern held a slim 8-7 edge on junior Wendale Farrow’s (Sacramento, Calif.-Mira Loma (American River J.C.)) three-pointer from the corner with 16:13 to play. However, a quick 9-0 run by the Rockets over the next 2:12 shifted the advantage if favor of the home team, 16-8. The Toledo run continued as the margin ballooned to 10, 20-10, on an Anthony Byrd jumper with 11:28 left in the first period.

Then the scoring for both sides went silent until Axon knocked down an 18-footer at the 8:55 mark. A UT turnover and a triple by Bunkley made with 20-15, forcing the Midnight Blue and Gold to burn a timeout.

But then another 6-0 run by Toledo made it 26-15 and had head coach Charles E. Ramsey expend a timeout with 6:50 to play. The Eagles’ woes continued as the Rocket lead grew to as many as 15 points, before EMU pulled to within 10, 37-27, as the teams headed into the locker room at the half.

For the frame, EMU shot just 33.3 percent (9-of-27) from the floor while committing nine miscues. On the opposite end of the court, Toledo managed a 54.8 percent (17-of-31) shooting clip while turning the ball over seven times. UT also grabbed three more rebounds (18 to 15) than EMU.

Following the intermission, Toledo pushed the margin back to 15 points. But Eastern quickly cranked up the intensity, slicing the deficit to eight, 48-40, on a Farrow lay-up with 14:00 remaining.

The UT lead would hover around double figured until Medlock connect on a pair of charity tosses with 10:19 showing on the clock to make it a seven point game, 51-44. A trey by Bunkley with 7:40 to play made it even closer, 53-49. That was promptly followed five consecutive points by Axon with 6:30 to play to give Eastern 54-53 edge.

Toledo and Eastern Michigan traded three point buckets, to keep a one-point margin in favor of the visitors. Four straight free throws by Kent and Jerrah Young got UT back on top 60-57 as the clock headed under four minutes to play. But a Medlock rebound and fast break score once again brought the Eagles back to just one.

With the shot clock winding down, Jonathan Amos banked one in and drew the foul with 3:09 to make the score 62-59. That would key a 10-2 run by the Rockets to expand the lead back to nine, 70-61 with 38 seconds to go. Junior guard Tyler Jones’s (Belleville, Mich.-Belleville) lay-up with 30 second to play would cut away at the lead but Eastern would get no closer as Toledo would claim the 72-63 decision.

The Green and White close out the regular season Sunday, March 9, hosting Northern Illinois University at the Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the Eagles honoring their four seniors Nenad Banjanin (Belgrade, Serbia-Lon Morris J.C.)), Axon, Bunkley and Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix).

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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