No. 21/22 UMass Slips Past EMU Hoops, 69-57

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Facing its second-straight nationally-ranked opponent, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team fell, 69-57, to the No. 21/22 University of Massachusetts Minutemen Tuesday night, Dec. 3, at the Convocation Center. With the setback, the Eagles drop to 5-2 on the 2013-14 campaign while the Minutemen remain undefeated at 7-0.

After shooting 57.7 percent from the field in the first half to build a four-point lead going into the locker room, EMU would only muster 8-of-32 shooting in the final 20 minutes of play as the Minutemen outscored the Eagles 38-22 in the second half. Karrington Ward (Lockport, Ill.-Lockport Township (Moraine Valley C.C.)) and Daylen Harrison (Akron, Ohio-St. Vincent-St. Mary (Wyoming)) each recorded 11 points to lead the Eagles in scoring while Da'Shonte Riley (Detroit, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Syracuse)) recorded 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked five shots. Eastern struggled from the free-throw line throughout the contest, only shooting 36.8 percent (7-of-19).

UMass had five players in double figures, led by Raphiael Putney, who scored 15 points to go along with nine rebounds. Starting center Cady Lalanne recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards on 6-of-11 shooting. As a team, the Minutemen shot 43.1 percent from the floor, making 25-of-58 shots. While UMass attempted the same amount of free throws as the Green and White, the Minutemen made twice as many, going 14-of-19 from the charity stripe.

Riley got things started with a bucket in the low post, but it was quickly answered with a basket by redshirt freshman Derrick Gordon of the Minutemen. The Eagles responded with a three-ball to retake the lead; however, UMass would use a 6-0 run to get on top for the first time in the contest, 8-5, with 15:54 remaining in the first half.

The Eagles would quickly answer with a 6-0 run of their own to take a three point advantage, however Massachusetts quickly turned the score in its favor once more. Darell Combs (Chicago, Ill.-Thornwood (Blinn)) brought the Eagles within two points after slashing to the basket for a layup. The sophomore guard would then force a turnover, which led to a transition bucket by Mike Talley (Detroit, Mich.-Melvindale ABT (Duquesne)), giving the Eagles a two-point lead.

Following a media timeout, EMU would go on a 7-0 run led by junior college transfer Ward, who scored five of the seven points. Ward knocked down a three-pointer as well as a fast break layup before Harrison nailed a jumper to put the Eagles up, 24-20, at the 6:24 mark of the opening half. After trading baskets to end the first half, the Green and White would take a four-point lead into the break, 35-31.

Eastern shot well from the floor in the first half, sinking 15-of-26 buckets for 57.7 shooting percentage. Ward and Talley led the way with seven points apiece while Riley and Harrison both grabbed four rebounds. Despite getting the Minutemen in foul trouble, the Eagles were not able to capitalize at the foul line, shooting only 3-of-12 for 25 percent.

UMass also had a pair of players tally seven points as Putney and Derrick Gordon paced the Minutemen in first half scoring. The visiting team converted 40 percent of its shots (14-of-35) while going just 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. UMass controlled the paint area in the first half, out-scoring the Eagles, 22-14.

The Minutemen opened the second half of the game with a 7-0 run to take a three-point lead, but the Eagles would respond as Harrison hit a three to tie the game up at 40. Glenn Bryant (Detroit, Mich.-Oak Hill Academy (Arkansas)) followed with a jumper to give Eastern the lead. However, UMass would score nine of the game's next 11 points to advance ahead to 49-44 and force EMU Head Coach Rob Murphy to call a timeout with 9:26 remaining in the contest.

Down seven with less than four minutes to go, Riley converted down on the block while being fouled but could not hit the free throw to complete the old-fashioned three-point play. UMass would then score on a low post bucket by Putney to force another EMU timeout. Despite the timeout, the Minutemen increased the margin with a four-point play from Trey Davis, giving UMass a double-digit lead, 66-55, and putting the game out of reach. UMass would hold off the Eagles for the 69-57 win.

The Eagles will hit the road for their next contest, traveling to West Lafayette, Ind. to face Purdue University for a 2 p.m. showdown, Dec. 7.

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Team Stats

Karrington Ward

Daylen Harrison

Da'Shonte Riley

Mike Talley

Eastern Michigan Athletics