Eagles Survive Rally From Toledo for 91-85 Victory

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Despite a furious second-half rally from the University of Toledo, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team notched an important Mid-American Conference West Division victory, 91-85, Saturday, Feb. 20. Eastern (14-13, 6-8 MAC) was hot all game, posting the best shooting percentage and three-point percentage in program history.

The Eagles were led by senior Brandon Nazione (Howell, Mich.-Howell (Des Moines Area C.C.)), who finished with a final stat line of 21 points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks. Additionally, junior Willie Mangum IV (Richmond, Va.-Marshall (San Jacinto College)) kicked in 19 points on five-of-seven from three-point land. Just behind him, redshirt junior Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) notched 18 points, including going a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe, including four clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the victory. Junior Ty Toney (Alpharetta, Ga.-Alpharetta (Georgia Highlands)) had a solid game as well, posting 17 points, while sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College) was a stat stuffer in the victory, putting together a solid line of eight points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals.

As a team, the Eagle offense was in rhythm throughout the game, finishing with the best shooting percentage and three-point percentage in program history. Additionally, at the half, the Green and White had the most field goals in a half in the history of the Convocation Center. Overall, the team was 34-for-50 (68 percent) from the floor, and 11-of-16 (68.8 percent) from three. They were also solid from the charity stripe, finishing 12-of-16 (75 percent) from the line. Eastern also held an advantage for points in the paint, at 44-36.

The Eagles got off to a quick start, with Mangum draining a long three, before following that up with a steal and a transition layup to give EMU the early 5-0 lead. The junior kept the hot hand through the first media timeout, scoring a blazing 13 points to give Eastern the 13-9 lead with 15:18 remaining in the first half. Toney got on the board with a layup to put the Eagles at 15. The offense continued clicking, as the team held a 22-16 lead at the second media timeout. From there, the team continued its hot shooting from downtown, as a three from Nazione forced the Rockets to call a timeout with the score at 28-16. At this point, the Green and White were seven-for-seven from three-point land.

After a pair of baskets, the Eagles extended their lead to 33-21 with 7:38 to go. Although the Rockets continued scoring as well, Eastern continued responding to hold their lead. A nice assist from Mangum to Toney gave EMU a three-point play, increasing the lead to 38-21. However, the three-ball continued to be the team's biggest asset, as EMU was 8-for-8 from downtown with 4:56 to play in the half. Toledo mounted a little run to bring the score a bit closer, but the Eagles kept scoring to put their lead at 15 heading into the final two-minutes before the break. The Rockets then took advantage of a few mistakes by the Eagles, cutting the lead to single digits. As the clock ticked down, the Green and White converted a desperation layup to head into the locker room with a 14-point lead, 56-42. In the half, the Eagles notched the most field goals in a half in the history of the Convocation Center. Additionally, it also marked the third most points in a half for the team, and also the second most points against a Division-1 opponent in a half.

The Rockets got on the board first in the second half, before another bucket by Toledo brought the lead back down to 10. Unlike the first half, the EMU offense struggled to get into a rhythm through the first three and a half minutes. Toledo took advantage, bringing the lead down to just six points, 56-50, with 16:27 left in the game. A Nazione three halted the Rockets run, putting the score at 61-54 at the 13:40 mark. Lee had a nice steal and transition layup to give Eastern a nine-point lead, after which a Nazione layup put EMU back up by double digits. Heading into a media timeout, Eastern led 65-56 with nearly 11 minutes to go.

A huge dunk from Nazione put the score at 69-62 near the nine minute mark, after which a pair of free throws from Lee increased the lead to nine. Freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) finally got on the board with a huge dunk of his own, but the Rockets answered on the other end to put the score at 73-69 with 6:30 left. Both teams traded defensive blows, with the score standing at 76-74 with under four minutes to go. A Toney layup increased the lead to 78-74, after which a steal from sophomore Bond gave Eastern an opportunity on the other end. The Eagles could not convert, however, and Toledo brought it within one. Bond came up big right after that with a three to give EMU a four-point lead. Clutch free throws from Lee put Eastern back up by four after a basket from the Rockets. With just 16 seconds left to play, the Eagles held a slim, 85-83 lead.

Eastern returns to action at home Tuesday, Feb. 23, for a bout with in-state rival Western Michigan. Action from the Convo is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

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Team Stats

Brandon Nazione

Willie Mangum IV

Ray Lee

Ty Toney

Players Mentioned

Tim Bond

Ray Lee

Willie Mangum IV

Brandon Nazione

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

Players Mentioned

Tim Bond

Ray Lee

Willie Mangum IV

Brandon Nazione

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

Eastern Michigan Athletics