Men's Basketball Rockets Past Toledo, 58-42

Box score.

TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team jumped out to a 17-point first half lead and never looked back en route to a 58-42 victory over the University of Toledo Wednesday night, Feb. 17, in a Mid-American Conference contest here at John F. Savage Arena. The Eagles' defense held the Rockets to a season-low 42 points.

The 42-point output by UT marks the least amount scored by an EMU Division I opponent since the then-Hurons held Cornell to that total in a 59-42 victory at Bowen Field House, Dec. 4, 1976.

Eastern Michigan runs its record to 14-12 (6-7 MAC) while Toledo remains winless in league play at 0-13 and 3-24 overall. Additionally, Eastern's victory combined with Ball State's 69-63 win over Central Michigan pulls the Eagles within a game of the Chippewas for second place in the West Division with three league contests still to play in the regular season.

Redshirt junior forward Brandon Bowdry (St. Louis, Mo.-Taylor (Mich.) Truman) carried the Eagles on his back, finishing just shy of his 21st career double-double with 20 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes of work. Senior guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) finished with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists to go along a nine point effort from senior center Justin Dobbins (Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville).

Ian Salter led the Rockets, who have now dropped 17 straight dating back to Dec. 10, 2009, with 10 points while Justin Anyijong added nine.

The Eagles out-rebounded the Rockets, 36 to 32, and the visiting squad shot 40.0 percent from the field, connecting on 20-of-50 shots. Toledo shot 34.0 percent from the field, making 17-of-50 field-goal attempts, while committing 10 turnovers.

The Green and White raced out to a quick 8-2 advantage with 16:40 showing in the first half, as Bowdry completed the old-fashion three point play with a make at the free throw line. Toledo was ice cold managing just one field goal in its first nine trips down the court, as Eastern's edge ballooned to 10, 12-2, at the 14:40 mark.

The scoring dramatically slowed for both sides with Toledo slicing the deficit in half, 12-6, on a Larry Bastfield with 11:36 to go in the period.

After weathering a four-minute scoring drought, Eastern would take off on a 18-6 run the rest of the stanza to take a 31-16 lead into the lockerroom at the break. The Midnight Blue and Gold would be held without a field goal over the 5:59 of the frame, managing just a single free throw made in the final 3:15.

Bowdry led all scorers with nine points and five rebounds to go along with seven points from Dobbins. Bastfield notched three points pace Toledo, as three other Rockets added two points. EMU shot 40.0 percent (10-of-25) from the field and turned the rock over just four times compared to UT's 25.0 percent (5-of-20) field goal clip and seven turnovers. UT's 12 first half points were a season-worst for the Rockets.

The second half began much like the first with Toledo unable to convert on its opportunities and Eastern Michigan making the most of it. A Bowdry layup and ensuing free throw chance with 17:00 to play pushed the margin to 26 points, 40-14.

Toledo finally hit the 20-point plateau when Anyijong drilled a long-range shot with 11:59 left in the game to make it 43-21.

The Rockets were never able to get any closer than 16 points the rest of the way a the Eagles cruised to the 58-42 victory.

Eastern Michigan closes out the non-conference portion of the schedule Saturday, Feb. 20, in an ESPNU BracketBuster tilt at the University of Detroit Mercy. Tip time is scheduled for 3:35 p.m. at Calihan Hall in Detroit. Chad Bush and Dan Wyar will have the call of the game exclusively on Eagle All-Access, with WEMU (89.1 FM) airing the EMU women's basketball game at 4 p.m. from Central Michigan University's Rose Center.

Next Event

Team Stats

Brandon Bowdry

Carlos Medlock

Justin Dobbins

Antonio Green

Eastern Michigan Athletics