Thompson's Double-Double Leads Eagles Past Marygrove, 108-64

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Behind a career-day from freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist), the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team cruised to a 108-64 victory over Marygrove College Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the Convocation Center. It was the first time EMU scored 100-plus points since Dec. 29, 2014 in a 100-42 win over Concordia University (Mich.) and the most points scored by an EMU team since the 2008-09 season when EMU put up 119 against Marygrove, Nov. 14.

Thompson finished with an EMU season-best 32 points on 92.8 percent (13-of-14) shooting, as well as grabbing 13 rebounds for his first career double-double. It was the first 30-plus point game by an EMU player since Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) scored 32 against Akron last season, Feb. 14. It was also tied for the sixth-most points scored in a game in Convo history, and the most since Lee put up 38 versus the University of Texas Arlington, Nov. 23, 2013. In addition, Thompson's 26 first half points were the most scored by an Eagle since Lee dropped 31 in the second half of Eastern's 76-73 loss to Ohio University a season ago, Feb. 7, 2015.

Senior Brandon Nazione (Howell, Mich.-Howell) and junior Willie Mangum IV (Richmond, Va.-Marshall) also finished in double-figures with a career-high 17 for Nazione and 17 for Mangum, while sophomore Ethan Alvano (Corona, Calif.-Corona) marked his career-best in points with 13. Meanwhile sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College HS) finished with a career-high nine assists. The Eagles finished lights out from the field, scoring on 53.4 percent of their attempts. More than half of their points came from inside the paint, as they outscored the Mustangs down low, 62-20. They also out rebounded Marygrove, 53-35.

The EMU defense continued to cause problems for the opponents' offense, as the Eagles forced 23 turnovers while recording 11 steals. Alvano and redshirt senior Jordan Martin (Detroit, Mich.-Chandler Park Academy) each had a career-high three takeaways. Sophomore Isaac Gillum led the Mustangs with 18 points.

The early game plan for EMU was attack the undersized Marygrove team down low, as they fed Thompson early and often. The freshman surpassed his career-high in points in the first seven minutes of the contest. In total, he made his first eight field goals, all in the paint, and went 10-of-11 finishing with 26 first half points. That marked the most points in a half by an Eagle since Lee versus Ohio last season, Feb. 7.

Despite the dominance by Thompson, the Mustangs would hang around, trailing by only two to four points for the first half of the first period. EMU would continue chipping away thanks to Thompson, and gain its first double-digit lead at the six minute mark. The Eagles would go on to lead by as many as 17 in the half before taking a 51-34 lead into the break.

Out of the break, EMU went on a 17-2 run to take a commanding 68-36 lead. The run was spearheaded by eight Nazione points, including four via thunderous dunks, to put him over his career-high. From there EMU coasted down the stretch, outscoring Marygrove, 40-28, in the final 15 minutes and take the victory.

The Eagles will remain at home heading into the weekend with a matchup with Madonna University, Saturday, Nov. 28. Tip-off from the Convo is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Thompson's Double-Double Leads Eagles Past Marygrove, 108-64

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Team Stats

James Thompson IV

Brandon Nazione

Willie Mangum IV

Ethan Alvano

Players Mentioned

Ethan Alvano

Tim Bond

Ray Lee

Jordan Martin

James Thompson IV

Players Mentioned

Ethan Alvano

Tim Bond

Ray Lee

Jordan Martin

James Thompson IV

Eastern Michigan Athletics