Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, February 8
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Kent State
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
EMU Returns Home for Battle with Kent State
2/6/2012 1:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 » 7 p.m. » Convocation Center (8,784) » Ypsilanti, Mich.
Complete Release.
Watch the Game.
Listen to the Game.
Live Stats - Fan-Based. Media-Based.
EMU RETURNS HOME FOR BATTLE WITH KENT STATE: The 2011-12 Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team returns home from a two-game road swing to host the Kent State University Golden Flashes Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center. The game will be the fifth straight against a Mid-American Conference East Division opponent for the West Division Eagles.
EMU, under first-year Head Coach Rob Murphy, enters the game with a 10-13 overall record and a MAC West-leading 5-4 record.
KSU is also led by a first-year head coach as former assistant Rob Senderoff was named to lead the Golden Flashes, April 7, 2011. Kent State is currently 16-6 overall and 6-3 in MAC action.
FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM: EMU Head Coach Rob Murphy and Assistant Coach Mike Brown are familiar with Kent State University, having served as assistants on the KSU men's basketball staff in the past. Murphy was an assistant coach in 2002-03 and 2003-04 while Brown was part of the staff as the director of operations in 2007-08.
THE LAST TIME: EMU and Kent State met just one time last year, as a Mid-American Conference divisional crossover game, and the Golden Flashes posted an 80-70 win, Feb. 9, 2011. Brandon Bowdry led the Eagles with 25 points and Antonio Green (Inkster, Mich.-Dearborn Heights Robichaud) added 11 points. Justin Greene paced Kent State with 23, Michael Porrini added 15, Carlton Guyton scored 13 and Randal Holt added 11.
CHECKING THE SERIES: Kent State holds a 37-30 lead in the series with EMU and the Golden Flashes have won the last 15 in a row, including all seven played in the Convocation Center. EMU's last win was a 79-74 decision, Feb. 7, 1998, in Kent, Ohio. The last time the Eagles defeated the Golden Flashes in Ypsilanti was a 91-77 victory in Bowen Field House, Jan. 4, 1997.
BALKEMA'S BEST: Junior center Matt Balkema (Warren, Mich.-Cousino) turned in the top scoring effort of his 64-game career with a team-leading 15 points in a loss at Akron, Feb. 4. His previous top scoring game was 13 points earlier this year at IUPUI, Nov. 20.
RILEY TURNS IN BEST EFFORT: Sophomore center Da'Shonte Riley (Detroit, Mich.-Country Day-Syracuse Univ.) turned in two career-best efforts in the overtime loss at Miami, Feb. 1. Riley tied his scoring best with eight points and his 11 rebounds were a career high for the 7-footer.
MOVING UP IN THE MAC STATS PICTURE: As a team, the Eagles are in the top half of the Mid-American Conference in five categories heading into the Kent State game Wednesday, Feb. 8. Eastern is 2nd in the league in scoring defense (59.7 ppg) and is 3rd in field goal percentage-defense (.409). In addition the Eagles are 4th in three-point field goal percentage-defense (.317), 5th in blocks (3.4) and 6th in free throw percentage (.686). Individually, senior point guard Darrell Lampley (Linden, N.J.-Linden-Lakeland (Ohio) C.C.) is 8th in scoring (13.3) and 3rd in free throw percentage (.861) and junior forward Jamell Harris (Euclid, Ohio-Euclid) is 4th in blocked shots (1.4).
EAGLES MAKE NATIONAL NEWS: With the Eastern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams sitting in first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings, the Eagles are in an elite category nationally.
Heading into Monday, Jan. 30, EMU was just one of seven schools across the 32 Division I basketball conferences that have both first-place men's and women's teams. The schools include:
MAC West Division: Eastern Michigan
Atlantic 10: St. Bonaventure
Atlantic Coast: Duke
Great West: Utah Valley
Mountain West: San Diego State
Southeastern: Kentucky
Sun Belt East: Middle Tennessee
Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Rob Murphy, the men (10-11, 5-2) took over sole possession of the MAC's West Division Saturday, Jan. 28, with a 55-50 win against Bowling Green State University combined with Ball State University's 59-55 loss at Ohio University.
Meanwhile, the Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's club remains in a tie with the University of Toledo for the MAC West lead. The Eagles (14-7, 6-2) cruised to a 91-46 victory over the University of Akron, with the Rockets rallying for a 77-75 victory on the road at the University at Buffalo.
Both teams will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 1, with the men playing at Miami University and the women traveling to Ohio. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m.
EAGLES DRAW GREEN BAY FOR SEARS BRACKETBUSTER CONTEST: EMU will travel to Green Bay, Wisc. for a Saturday, Feb. 18, meeting with Green Bay as part of the 2012 Sears BracketBusters event. The game will be played in Resch Center (9,729), the home arena of the Phoenix. Game time is set for 1 p.m. CT, 2 p.m. in Ypsilanti.
Watch the Game.
Listen to the Game.
Live Stats - Fan-Based. Media-Based.
EMU RETURNS HOME FOR BATTLE WITH KENT STATE: The 2011-12 Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team returns home from a two-game road swing to host the Kent State University Golden Flashes Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center. The game will be the fifth straight against a Mid-American Conference East Division opponent for the West Division Eagles.
EMU, under first-year Head Coach Rob Murphy, enters the game with a 10-13 overall record and a MAC West-leading 5-4 record.
KSU is also led by a first-year head coach as former assistant Rob Senderoff was named to lead the Golden Flashes, April 7, 2011. Kent State is currently 16-6 overall and 6-3 in MAC action.
FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM: EMU Head Coach Rob Murphy and Assistant Coach Mike Brown are familiar with Kent State University, having served as assistants on the KSU men's basketball staff in the past. Murphy was an assistant coach in 2002-03 and 2003-04 while Brown was part of the staff as the director of operations in 2007-08.
THE LAST TIME: EMU and Kent State met just one time last year, as a Mid-American Conference divisional crossover game, and the Golden Flashes posted an 80-70 win, Feb. 9, 2011. Brandon Bowdry led the Eagles with 25 points and Antonio Green (Inkster, Mich.-Dearborn Heights Robichaud) added 11 points. Justin Greene paced Kent State with 23, Michael Porrini added 15, Carlton Guyton scored 13 and Randal Holt added 11.
CHECKING THE SERIES: Kent State holds a 37-30 lead in the series with EMU and the Golden Flashes have won the last 15 in a row, including all seven played in the Convocation Center. EMU's last win was a 79-74 decision, Feb. 7, 1998, in Kent, Ohio. The last time the Eagles defeated the Golden Flashes in Ypsilanti was a 91-77 victory in Bowen Field House, Jan. 4, 1997.
BALKEMA'S BEST: Junior center Matt Balkema (Warren, Mich.-Cousino) turned in the top scoring effort of his 64-game career with a team-leading 15 points in a loss at Akron, Feb. 4. His previous top scoring game was 13 points earlier this year at IUPUI, Nov. 20.
RILEY TURNS IN BEST EFFORT: Sophomore center Da'Shonte Riley (Detroit, Mich.-Country Day-Syracuse Univ.) turned in two career-best efforts in the overtime loss at Miami, Feb. 1. Riley tied his scoring best with eight points and his 11 rebounds were a career high for the 7-footer.
MOVING UP IN THE MAC STATS PICTURE: As a team, the Eagles are in the top half of the Mid-American Conference in five categories heading into the Kent State game Wednesday, Feb. 8. Eastern is 2nd in the league in scoring defense (59.7 ppg) and is 3rd in field goal percentage-defense (.409). In addition the Eagles are 4th in three-point field goal percentage-defense (.317), 5th in blocks (3.4) and 6th in free throw percentage (.686). Individually, senior point guard Darrell Lampley (Linden, N.J.-Linden-Lakeland (Ohio) C.C.) is 8th in scoring (13.3) and 3rd in free throw percentage (.861) and junior forward Jamell Harris (Euclid, Ohio-Euclid) is 4th in blocked shots (1.4).
EAGLES MAKE NATIONAL NEWS: With the Eastern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams sitting in first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division standings, the Eagles are in an elite category nationally.
Heading into Monday, Jan. 30, EMU was just one of seven schools across the 32 Division I basketball conferences that have both first-place men's and women's teams. The schools include:
MAC West Division: Eastern Michigan
Atlantic 10: St. Bonaventure
Atlantic Coast: Duke
Great West: Utah Valley
Mountain West: San Diego State
Southeastern: Kentucky
Sun Belt East: Middle Tennessee
Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Rob Murphy, the men (10-11, 5-2) took over sole possession of the MAC's West Division Saturday, Jan. 28, with a 55-50 win against Bowling Green State University combined with Ball State University's 59-55 loss at Ohio University.
Meanwhile, the Head Coach AnnMarie Gilbert's club remains in a tie with the University of Toledo for the MAC West lead. The Eagles (14-7, 6-2) cruised to a 91-46 victory over the University of Akron, with the Rockets rallying for a 77-75 victory on the road at the University at Buffalo.
Both teams will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 1, with the men playing at Miami University and the women traveling to Ohio. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m.
EAGLES DRAW GREEN BAY FOR SEARS BRACKETBUSTER CONTEST: EMU will travel to Green Bay, Wisc. for a Saturday, Feb. 18, meeting with Green Bay as part of the 2012 Sears BracketBusters event. The game will be played in Resch Center (9,729), the home arena of the Phoenix. Game time is set for 1 p.m. CT, 2 p.m. in Ypsilanti.
2025-26 Field of 68 Men's Basketball Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Tuesday, October 21
Men's Basketball Alumni Game All Call
Tuesday, October 21
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11