Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 23
Convocation Center
11:30 a.m.
Eastern Michigan University
10-9, 2-4MAC
87
vs
88
Ball State
13-6, 4-2MAC
1
2
OT 1
OT 2
F
Ball State
37
34
6
11
88
Eastern Michigan
36
35
6
10
87
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Last Second Triple Sinks Eagles in Double Overtime
1/23/2016 2:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Following a frantic final seconds, Ball State hit a three-pointer to seal it
Video Highlights.
YSPILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team was shocked in an 88-87 defeat to Ball State University Saturday, Jan. 23 inside the Convocation Center, losing in double-overtime on a buzzer beating three point shot. Saturday's contest marked the first double-overtime contest for the Eagles inside the Convo since Jan. 13, 2009 against Central Michigan University.
Leading the Eagles (10-9, 2-4 MAC) in the game were junior Ty Toney (Alpharetta, Ga.-Alpharetta (Georgia Highlands)), and freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist), who both finished with 23 points apiece. That marked a career-high for Toney, who also swiped a career-high six steals, which ties for the fourth-most in a single game in EMU history. Meanwhile, Thompson recorded his 11th double-double of the season, notching 14 rebounds as well. Finally senior Brandon Nazione (Howell, Mich.-Howell) finished in double figures with 13 points.
As a squad, EMU knocked down 38.6 percent of their shots (27-of-70), while going 30-of-34 from the free throw line (88.2 percent). EMU forced BSU into 25 turnovers, including 17 steals, which tied four the third-most in a single game for Eastern Michigan. That turned into 29 of the Eagles' points. Eastern also dominated the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 48-22 down low.
The Eagles jumped out early, scoring the first four points on a Nazione layup and a junior Willie Mangum IV (Richmond, Va.-Marshall (San Jacinto College)) fast break layup off of a steal. BSU answered right back though with seven straight points to make it 7-4. A Nazione three-point-play evened the score at seven into the first media timeout.
The Cardinals rattled off the next seven points to double the advantage. Breaking the run was Thompson when he completed a three-point-play himself, making the score 14-10 with just under 12 minutes until halftime.
Thompson then put in EMU's next six points after that, tying the game at 16 apiece. However back-to-back three pointers from BSU put them back up by six points midway through the half. The lead got to as large as eight, but EMU battled back to tie it at 27-all before the final media timeout before halftime. While trailing by six, EMU tied the game on an and-one from sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College HS) and a three ball from Mangum.
Eastern captured their first lead since the 18:33 mark out of the break on a fast break layup from Bond, but BSU answered immediately with a jumper. After trading free throws, BSU nailed a three to jump back ahead 34-31. Thompson then poured in the next five points, giving EMU the two point lead back, but the Cardinals nailed another three to take a 37-36 lead into the break. Thompson finished with 16 points in the first half alone.
Out of the half, Toney began to heat up; scoring EMU's next seven points, but BSU had the answers as they extended the lead 48-43 at the 15-minute mark. The lead remained consistent between three and six points for the Cardinals over the next four minutes, but in the time span, Thompson exited the game with his fourth foul.
Immediately after Thompson subbed out of the game, Toney stepped up once again going on a personal 7-0 run to give the Eagles a one point lead, 54-53 with 10:30 left in the game. The lead extended into their largest of the night when a Nazione layup and sophomore Ethan Alvano (Corona, Calif.-Corona) three-point-play gave EMU a 59-53 advantage.
The Cardinals chipped it back down though, scoring the next five points making the score 59-58 midway through the second half. EMU maintained a one to five point lead over the next four minutes until BSU eventually broke through, tying the game at 66-allgoing into the final media break, setting the table for the homestretch.
Both teams started the stretch run by trading five points each, with the five for EMU going to Thompson, putting him over 20 points on the afternoon. With under a minute left, the score remained tied at 71. After a pair of empty possessions, BSU had a chance to win the game on the final possession, but a long three rimmed-out, sending the game to overtime.
Winning the tip, EMU knocked down the first bucket of OT on a Bond jumper. Then the game turned into a free-throw shooting contest with EMU hitting 2-of-2 while Ball State got eight trips to the line, hitting five-of-seven to take a 76-75 advantage with 1:30 to play. In that timeframe, both Bond and Thompson fouled out for EMU.
After trading stops, Ball State possessed the ball with 45 seconds left. On a missed three-point attempt, the ball skipped back out for a BSU offensive rebound, forcing EMU to foul with 10 seconds to go. Hitting one-of-two, EMU had a chance to tie or take the lead. On a Nazione drive to the basket, he was fouled on the floor, giving him two tries to tie the game up. The senior hit both of the clutch free throws, and the buzzer-beating shot from Ball State came up short, sending the game to a second overtime.
A pair of Toney free throws got the period started, but BSU followed that with a three-point-play. A three-point play response from Mangum however gave EMU the lead back, and it was extended on a redshirt freshman Blake Brown (Novi, Mich.-Novi (UNLV)) follow-up layup, who was in the game for Thompson. The Cardinals held steady though, knocking down a three and then notching a layup after a scoreless EMU possession. At the one minute mark, Ball State held the one point lead. Another three-point-play from Toney with thirty seconds left put Eastern ahead by two going into the final turn for BSU. A missed shot at the start of the possession and an EMU rebound had the Eagles poised to hold on for the win, but BSU trapped in the corner and forced a turnover, giving them another attempt. In the final field goal attempt of the game, Francis Kiapway knocked down his seventh and final three-pointer to seal the Eagles' fate, 88-87.
Eastern now hits the road once again, heading to northeast Ohio for the second time, this time to square off against the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the M.A.C. Center.
YSPILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team was shocked in an 88-87 defeat to Ball State University Saturday, Jan. 23 inside the Convocation Center, losing in double-overtime on a buzzer beating three point shot. Saturday's contest marked the first double-overtime contest for the Eagles inside the Convo since Jan. 13, 2009 against Central Michigan University.
Leading the Eagles (10-9, 2-4 MAC) in the game were junior Ty Toney (Alpharetta, Ga.-Alpharetta (Georgia Highlands)), and freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist), who both finished with 23 points apiece. That marked a career-high for Toney, who also swiped a career-high six steals, which ties for the fourth-most in a single game in EMU history. Meanwhile, Thompson recorded his 11th double-double of the season, notching 14 rebounds as well. Finally senior Brandon Nazione (Howell, Mich.-Howell) finished in double figures with 13 points.
As a squad, EMU knocked down 38.6 percent of their shots (27-of-70), while going 30-of-34 from the free throw line (88.2 percent). EMU forced BSU into 25 turnovers, including 17 steals, which tied four the third-most in a single game for Eastern Michigan. That turned into 29 of the Eagles' points. Eastern also dominated the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 48-22 down low.
The Eagles jumped out early, scoring the first four points on a Nazione layup and a junior Willie Mangum IV (Richmond, Va.-Marshall (San Jacinto College)) fast break layup off of a steal. BSU answered right back though with seven straight points to make it 7-4. A Nazione three-point-play evened the score at seven into the first media timeout.
The Cardinals rattled off the next seven points to double the advantage. Breaking the run was Thompson when he completed a three-point-play himself, making the score 14-10 with just under 12 minutes until halftime.
Thompson then put in EMU's next six points after that, tying the game at 16 apiece. However back-to-back three pointers from BSU put them back up by six points midway through the half. The lead got to as large as eight, but EMU battled back to tie it at 27-all before the final media timeout before halftime. While trailing by six, EMU tied the game on an and-one from sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College HS) and a three ball from Mangum.
Eastern captured their first lead since the 18:33 mark out of the break on a fast break layup from Bond, but BSU answered immediately with a jumper. After trading free throws, BSU nailed a three to jump back ahead 34-31. Thompson then poured in the next five points, giving EMU the two point lead back, but the Cardinals nailed another three to take a 37-36 lead into the break. Thompson finished with 16 points in the first half alone.
Out of the half, Toney began to heat up; scoring EMU's next seven points, but BSU had the answers as they extended the lead 48-43 at the 15-minute mark. The lead remained consistent between three and six points for the Cardinals over the next four minutes, but in the time span, Thompson exited the game with his fourth foul.
Immediately after Thompson subbed out of the game, Toney stepped up once again going on a personal 7-0 run to give the Eagles a one point lead, 54-53 with 10:30 left in the game. The lead extended into their largest of the night when a Nazione layup and sophomore Ethan Alvano (Corona, Calif.-Corona) three-point-play gave EMU a 59-53 advantage.
The Cardinals chipped it back down though, scoring the next five points making the score 59-58 midway through the second half. EMU maintained a one to five point lead over the next four minutes until BSU eventually broke through, tying the game at 66-allgoing into the final media break, setting the table for the homestretch.
Both teams started the stretch run by trading five points each, with the five for EMU going to Thompson, putting him over 20 points on the afternoon. With under a minute left, the score remained tied at 71. After a pair of empty possessions, BSU had a chance to win the game on the final possession, but a long three rimmed-out, sending the game to overtime.
Winning the tip, EMU knocked down the first bucket of OT on a Bond jumper. Then the game turned into a free-throw shooting contest with EMU hitting 2-of-2 while Ball State got eight trips to the line, hitting five-of-seven to take a 76-75 advantage with 1:30 to play. In that timeframe, both Bond and Thompson fouled out for EMU.
After trading stops, Ball State possessed the ball with 45 seconds left. On a missed three-point attempt, the ball skipped back out for a BSU offensive rebound, forcing EMU to foul with 10 seconds to go. Hitting one-of-two, EMU had a chance to tie or take the lead. On a Nazione drive to the basket, he was fouled on the floor, giving him two tries to tie the game up. The senior hit both of the clutch free throws, and the buzzer-beating shot from Ball State came up short, sending the game to a second overtime.
A pair of Toney free throws got the period started, but BSU followed that with a three-point-play. A three-point play response from Mangum however gave EMU the lead back, and it was extended on a redshirt freshman Blake Brown (Novi, Mich.-Novi (UNLV)) follow-up layup, who was in the game for Thompson. The Cardinals held steady though, knocking down a three and then notching a layup after a scoreless EMU possession. At the one minute mark, Ball State held the one point lead. Another three-point-play from Toney with thirty seconds left put Eastern ahead by two going into the final turn for BSU. A missed shot at the start of the possession and an EMU rebound had the Eagles poised to hold on for the win, but BSU trapped in the corner and forced a turnover, giving them another attempt. In the final field goal attempt of the game, Francis Kiapway knocked down his seventh and final three-pointer to seal the Eagles' fate, 88-87.
Eastern now hits the road once again, heading to northeast Ohio for the second time, this time to square off against the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the M.A.C. Center.
Team Stats
BSU
EMU
FG%
.458
.391
3FG%
.375
.188
FT%
.647
.882
RB
45
39
TO
25
18
STL
6
17
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
9
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
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