Late EMU Run Not Enough as the Eagles Fall, 84-79, at Home

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Despite mounting a furious second half rally, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team fell at home, 84-79, against the Bowling Green State University. After being down 20 with 15 minutes left to play, the Eagles (10-7, 2-2 MAC) managed to tie it up within the final minutes but the Falcons (12-5, 3-1 MAC) were able to fend off Eastern Michigan.

EMU was paced by redshirt junior Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) with 29 points, including four shots from beyond the arc. Freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) recorded yet another double-double, notching a stat line of 21 points and 14 boards. Junior Ty Toney (Alpharetta, Ga.-Alpharetta) also had a solid game, recording 18 points, four rebounds, and a pair of assists.

The Green and White were outscored 44-31 in the first half, before erupting for 48 points in the second to eventually tie the game. As a team, the Eagles shot 44.1 percent from the floor, and 53.3 percent in the second half. The team was solid from the free throw line, posting a final mark of 22-of-26 from the charity stripe.

The Falcons opened the game with a three pointer, grabbing an early 3-0 lead before a jumper from Toney made the score 3-2. A nice offensive rebound and layup from Thompson made the score 5-4, but BGSU maintained their lead. From there, the Falcon offense got hot and increased their lead to 10-4 following a three. Thompson return fired to lead the charge back for the Eagles, battling on the boards and getting fouled, then converting two free throws to bring EMU within four. At the first media timeout, Bowling Green held a 12-6 lead. Following a bucket by the opponent, Toney was fouled, but converted the shot as it bounced off the top of the backboard. After the free throw, the score stood at 14-9. Toney continued the quick offensive streak for the Green and White, nailing a three to bring the score back within two. However, the Falcon offense roared back to make the score 19-12 with 12:20 to go in the half.

After another media timeout, the Bowling Green offense picked back up where it left off, draining another three and making the score 24-13. Similar to early in the half, the Eagle offense stalled before Thompson was sent to the line. After sinking two more from the charity stripe, the score stood at 28-15 with 8:30 to go. After a steal by Lee, sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College High School) converted a layup on the other end, only to have BGSU respond with another three. At this point in the game, Bowling Green was 6-of-8 from downtown, while the Eagles were only 2-of-6.

With 4:40 left in the half, the Falcons led 39-24. After a dry streak on offense, Bond came out of a timeout and knocked down a tough layup. A three from sophomore Ethan Alvano (Corona, Calif.-Corona) didn't rattle through, but Thompson was there for the putback, and was fouled in the process. After knocking down the free throw, BGSU's lead stood at 42-29. Thompson continued battling on the boards, as he was fouled again after pulling down a defensive rebound. He sunk both at the line to bring his total on the day to 7-of-7 from the line for 11 total points in the first half. Heading to the locker room, the Falcons held a 44-31 lead.

Out of the break, the Falcons picked up where they left off, knocking down two threes and a layup for a 52-33 lead. The Eagles managed to pick up a few baskets, but the Falcons continued answering, and the score at the first media timeout of the second half stood at 57-37. Alvano got the team back on track following the timeout with a layup, and a huge putback dunk from Thompson made the score 57-41. A jumper from Toney kept the ball rolling, and the EMU defense continued to give the Falcons problems. As was the theme of the game, whenever the Eagles offense strung together a few baskets, the Falcons got a few of their own, and at the 10-minute mark, Bowling Green led 64-49. The Green and White would not go away, however, and with 7:43 left to play, the score stood at 69-56.

A jumper from Bond brought the Eagles back within 10, after which the Falcons threw it away to give possession back to EMU with 7:05 to go. Following a defensive stop, an acrobatic layup from Lee got the lead back down to single digits. The EMU defense then swiped a pass, and Lee knocked down a long ball to make the score 69-64 with 5:55 left in the game. Lee kept the hot hand, knocking down another three to bring the Green and White within two, 69-67. Although the Falcons sank a three of their own, a Thompson putback kept the score close, 72-69, with 4:13 left. Thompsons kept EMU within two at the 3:20 mark after sinking two more free throws to make it 75-73. After being down 20 with 15 minutes to play, a Lee layup tied the game at 75 with 2:30 left to play. Bowling Green grabbed the lead, and with 21.9 seconds to go, the score was 81-79. Lee had a shot to tie it with 3 seconds to play, but his shot rattled off the rim and was recovered by the Falcons. Despite their furious rally, the Eagles ultimately fell by a final score of 84-79.

The Green and White continue their season on the road with a bout at University of Akron, Jan. 19. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. from James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday night.

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Team Stats

Ray Lee

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

Tim Bond

Players Mentioned

Ethan Alvano

Tim Bond

Ray Lee

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

Players Mentioned

Ethan Alvano

Tim Bond

Ray Lee

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

Eastern Michigan Athletics