RedHawks Clip Eagles, 65-61, with Late Jumper

OXFORD, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team let an eight-point halftime lead slip away as the Eagles fell, 65-61, to Miami University Saturday afternoon, Feb. 1, in Millett Hall. Miami's Will Felder hit a jumper inside the paint with 25 seconds left for the game-winner.

Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) recorded 18 points to lead Eastern (12-9, 4-4 MAC) in scoring while Karrington Ward (Lockport, Ill.-Lockport Township (Moraine Valley CC)) added 16. Glenn Bryant (Detroit, Mich.-Oak Hill Academy (Arkansas)) also chipped in off the bench with eight points and a team-high eight rebounds. As a team, the Eagles shot just 38.2 percent (21-of-55) from the floor. Nearly half of EMU's made shots were from three-point land as they were 10-of-24 from long range. On the defensive side of the court, the Eagles caused 18 Miami turnovers.

Miami (9-10, 5-3 MAC) shot 14-of-24 (58.3 percent) in the second half, outscoring the Eagles 43-31. MU shot 43.1 percent for the game on 22-of-51 shooting, including 8-of-16 from beyond the arc. Three RedHawks reached double figures led by 19 points from Will Sullivan. Felder notched a double-double with 17 points and 15 caroms, while Geovonie McKnight tallied 10 points. The RedHawks held the rebound advantage, 39-29.

EMU forced three Miami turnovers in the first four minutes, creating offensive opportunities on the other end of the floor. Nearly two minutes into the contest, Mike Talley (Detroit, Mich.-Melvindale ABT (Duquesne)) drilled a corner three to open up the scoring. The Eagles' starting point then found Da'Shonte Riley (Detroit, Mich.-Detroit Country Day (Syracuse)) on an alley-oop as the senior threw down a thunderous dunk. On the next possession, Ward stole the ball and took it coast-to-coast to make it 7-0 in favor of the Green and White, forcing Miami Head Coach John Cooper to call timeout.

Coming out of the break, Miami finally broke the scoring column with a jumper by McKnight. However, Lee responded with an NBA-range three to increase the lead to eight. The margin continue to grow as EMU knocked down 3-of-4 free throws while holding the RedHawks to 1-of-9 shooting in the opening eight minutes of play. With 11:45 left in the first half, the Eagles held a 13-4 advantage.

MU used hit four triples, including three from Sullivan as a part of a 12-4 run, cutting the Eagles' lead to one, 19-18. Nonetheless, EMU nearly matched that with an 11-4 run of its own in the half's final 4:45. Ward tallied eight points during that stretch, knocking down a jumper and a pair of treys, as Eastern took a 30-22 lead into the locker room.

The Green and White shot an even 40 percent from the floor (10-25) while also knocking down 4-of-9 from long range. Ward recorded 12 of EMU's first half points while Lee added seven. The Eagles forced nine turnovers, but committed seven of their own. Eastern's 2-3 zone held Miami to just 8-of-27 for a 29.6 percent clip. Sullivan paced the RedHawks in scoring as all of his nine points came from beyond the arc.

The RedHawks came out hot in the second half, hitting five of their first six shots to decrease the difference to a single point, 35-34. After each team exchanged three pointers, MU tied the game for the first time as McKnight split a pair of free throws. The home squad then took its first lead of the game, forcing a turnover that led to a fastsbreak layup. Once again, the Eagles responded to regain the lead. Checking into the ball game for the first time, Darrell Combs (Chicago, Ill.-Thornwood (Blinn College)) knocked down back-to-back triples to put Eastern ahead. Ward then grabbed another steal and broke away from the pack to throw down a slam, making it 48-45 in favor of the Eagles with 10:35 remaining in the contest.

After EMU scored seven straight, Miami went back up with a 14-3 run to hold a six-point cushion. Trailing by that same mark with under two minutes to go, Lee cut the margin in half, 61-58, with a three from the wing, and Head Coach Rob Murphy called timeout to set up his defense. The timeout paid off as the Eagles forced a turnover before Lee hit another three in transition to tie the game at 61 with just 56.2 seconds left. On Miami's next possession, Riley swatted a shot from the block, but the RedHawks grabbed the offensive board. With the shot clock winding down, Felder was dished the ball and he hit a jumper from the elbow. After a MU timeout, Lee tried for the win with a contested three from the top of the key; however, it fell short and Miami claimed the rebound, forcing the Eagles to foul. Sullivan converted both free throws at the line of the final 65-61 tally.

The Eagles will continue facing MAC East foes on the road, traveling to the University of Akron for a 7 p.m. tip, Feb. 5. Chad Bush and Sean Hostetter will have the call on WEMU (89.1 FM) from James A. Rhodes Arena.

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Team Stats

Ray Lee

Karrington Ward

Glenn Bryant

Mike Talley

Eastern Michigan Athletics