Green's Last Second Three Ball Gives EMU Second MAC Win, 51-48

Game Highlights.

MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team took a Mid-American Conference road tilt at Ball State University, Saturday Jan. 14. Eagles' senior Antonio Green (Inkster, Mich.-Robichaud) hit a three-point bucket with just 1.5 seconds on the clock to give EMU the 51-48 victory moving them to 7-10 (2-1 MAC) on the season.

Quintin Dailey (Las Vegas, Nev.-Bishop Gorman-Sheridan (Wyo.) J.C.) led the Eagles' offense with 13 points while Green chipped-in with 11 points of his own. Austin Harper (Grand Haven, Mich.-Grand Haven-Glen Oaks C.C.) notched nine points, while Jamell Harris (Euclid, Ohio-Euclid) was the catalyst on the boards, caroming eight to lead Eastern. EMU used a 57.9 shooting percentage in the second half to give them their second MAC win of the season.

Despite losing the opening tip the Eagles were able to jump out to an early 4-0 lead on a pair of two-point buckets by Harris and Darrell Lampley (Linden, N.J.-Linden-Lakeland C.C.). The first 10 minutes of the opening half proved to be a struggle offensively for both teams as they combined for just 14 points, with EMU leading 8-6.

Eastern was able to extend their lead to seven, 13-6, with a Green three-pointer. The Cardinals clawed back to within one, 13-12, on a dunk by Jarrod Jones. BSU took the lead, 14-13, on the ensuing possession when Chris Bond knocked down a pair from the charity stripe. The Cardinals did not stop pushing on offense, picking up a seven-point edge, 20-13, with just under five minutes to go in the first half.

Harper broke a five minute scoring drought at the 4:31 mark with a layup to bring the Green and White to within five points, 20-15. The Eagles and Cardinals traded buckets through the remainder of the half, with BSU leading 27-21 at the break.

Offensively Eastern struggled, shooting eight-of-21 from the floor in the first half with Harper and Dailey leading the way with six points apiece. EMU spread the wealth on the glass as eight Eagles shared the teams 12 total rebound in the opening half. Eastern was able to hold the Cardinals to a 39.1 shooting percentage, including keeping them scoreless from beyond the arc, going 0-for-6. The difference in the opening half was the free throw shooting for the Cardinals. Ball State was able to convert nine free ones, while the Eagles were given just four shots from the charity stripe.

Da'Shonte Riley (Detroit, Mich.-Detroit Country Day-Syracuse) opened up the second half scoring, cutting the deficit to four, 27-23 on an inside post move and Harris brought Eastern to within two, 27-25, on a put-back dunk with 17:15 remaining. The Cardinals would respond with their first three-point bucket of the game, extending their lead to 30-25. After the Eagles cut the lead to three, Randy Davis hit his second consecutive three-ball giving BSU a 33-27 edge.

Eastern went on a 5-0 run to bring them within three, 35-32 after Harper knocked down a trey and Green hit a mid-range jumper. EMU and Ball State swapped buckets back and forth through most of the second half as the Eagles trailed 42-36 with 6:44 remaining in the game. Dailey was able to cut the Cardinal lead to four, 45-41 with a tip-in, prompting J.R. Sims (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Snider) to hit a pair of free throws making it 45-43.

The Cardinals took a five point edge, but Dailey's three-point stroke put Eastern down just two, 48-46. Dailey was able to even things up with a pair of free ones, making it 48-48 with a minute and a half to play.

Ball State took a timeout with 42.4 seconds left in play, but Eastern's stingy defense held the Cardinals scoreless in their final possession, setting EMU up with the final play of the game. Green hit a three-ball with just 1.5 seconds remaining to give the Eagles a 51-48 win.

The Eagles continue their Mid-American Conference schedule Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they play host to in-state rival Western Michigan. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center at Eastern Michigan University.

Green's Last Second Three Ball Gives EMU Second MAC Win, 51-48

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Team Stats

Quintin Dailey

Antonio Green

Austin Harper

Jamell Harris

Eastern Michigan Athletics