Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, February 9
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
12-12, 4-7MAC
71
vs
56
Central Michigan
13-11, 6-5MAC
1
2
F
Central Michigan
23
33
56
Eastern Michigan
38
33
71
Photo by: Jonathan Knight Photography
Eagles Use 71-56 Victory to Sweep Season Series with Central Michigan
2/9/2016 9:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EMU has defeated the preseason MAC favorite in both matchups this year
Photo Gallery.
Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Coming off a tough road loss versus the University at Buffalo, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team walked away with a 71-56 win over in-state rival Central Michigan University, Feb. 9, sweeping the season series with the Chippewas (13-11, 6-5 MAC). The Eagles (12-12, 4-7 MAC) came out firing on all cylinders, taking an early lead and not surrendering it throughout the game.
For the second consecutive game, the Green and White posted a pair of double-doubles. Freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) notched his 15th double-double of the season, finishing with 19 points, while tying his career-high of 15 rebounds on the day. Senior Brandon Nazione (Howell, Mich.-Howell (Des Moines Area C.C.)) pitched in a double-double as well, turning in a final stat line of 16 points and 11 boards. Two other Eagles also posted double-digit scoring efforts, with junior Ty Toney (Alpharetta, Ga.-Alpharetta (Georgia Highlands College)) and sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College High School) chipping in 11 and 10, respectively. All 10 of Bond's points came in the second half of the contest.
Both the EMU offense and defense were strong throughout the game, as the defense held the Chippewas to a 23-of-63 (36.5 percent) shooting performance. Additionally, Central only managed to convert 5-of-25 (20 percent) shots from downtown, and was out-rebounded by the Eagles, 40-27. EMU converted a high percentage of shots, finishing 25-of-51 (49 percent), while also winning the second chance battle as well with a 20-11 advantage.
Thompson began the game with a nice hook shot, before a transition layup from Toney gave the Eagles an early 4-0 lead. A thunderous dunk from Thompson increased the lead to 6-0, as the EMU defense held the Chips in check. Coming out of the media timeout, a nice steal from Bond led to a layup from junior Willie Mangum IV (Richmond, Va.-Marshall (San Jacinto College)) on the other end, giving EMU a 10-2 lead. A three from Nazione then put the Eagles ahead by double digits, before a jumper from the Chips brought the lead back down to single digits. A quick run from Central brought the lead down to three, 13-10, with 11:38 remaining in the half. Both offenses cooled down a bit, as the score stood at 17-14, with 8:50 remaining in the opening frame.
A three from redshirt junior Jodan Price (Indianapolis, Ind.-Detroit Country Day (DePaul)) gave the Eagles a bit of a cushion, taking the 20-14 lead into a media timeout at 7:33. Thompson continued thriving on the offensive end, with another hook shot and a pair of free throws to give him 10 with 4:45 remaining in the first half. A three from redshirt junior Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) put the Eagles back ahead by double digits, and a layup from Thompson opened up a huge 31-18 lead with 3:38 remaining in the half. The defense continued giving Central problems, as the Chips were 8-of-26 from the floor and 0-of-8 from downtown at this point. Approaching halftime, the Eagles' offensive rhythm continued, as the team opened a 38-23 lead heading into the locker rooms. A primary reason for the big halftime lead was the Eagles winning the rebounding battle, as EMU had 20 in comparison to Central's nine.
Out of the break, the Eagle offense continued rolling, still maintaining a double-digit lead with 16:30 left to play. Central kept chipping away, with the score standing at 44-32 at the 15:17 media timeout. A two from the Chips brought the lead down to single-digits once again, but the free throws from Nazione put the lead back at 11. Thompson continued controlling the boards, as he nabbed his 15th double-double of the season with 11:31 left in the game.
Heading into the final 10 minutes of the game, the Green and White still held the lead, but the Chips would not go away. Nazione picked up a double-double of his own, notching 13 points and 10 rebound with 7 minutes left to play. Timely offensive rebounds from Thompson kept the Eagle offense rolling, as the double-digit lead returned, 54-44, with 6:34 remaining. Heading into the final five minutes, the Eagles needed to close out the game strong in order to secure the win. A nice pass from Bond led to a three from Lee, putting the lead back at 10, 57-47, with 3:29 remaining. From there, teams continued trading baskets, with EMU maintaining a double-digit lead, 63-52, with 1:49 left in the game. Both ends of the court came up big in crunch time, as the Green and White continued converting on the offensive end. With the clock striking zero, the Eagles came out on top, 71-56.
The Eagles remain at home for a Saturday, Feb. 13, bout with Kent State University. Tipoff at the Convocation Center is slated for Noon.
Highlights.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Coming off a tough road loss versus the University at Buffalo, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team walked away with a 71-56 win over in-state rival Central Michigan University, Feb. 9, sweeping the season series with the Chippewas (13-11, 6-5 MAC). The Eagles (12-12, 4-7 MAC) came out firing on all cylinders, taking an early lead and not surrendering it throughout the game.
For the second consecutive game, the Green and White posted a pair of double-doubles. Freshman James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) notched his 15th double-double of the season, finishing with 19 points, while tying his career-high of 15 rebounds on the day. Senior Brandon Nazione (Howell, Mich.-Howell (Des Moines Area C.C.)) pitched in a double-double as well, turning in a final stat line of 16 points and 11 boards. Two other Eagles also posted double-digit scoring efforts, with junior Ty Toney (Alpharetta, Ga.-Alpharetta (Georgia Highlands College)) and sophomore Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College High School) chipping in 11 and 10, respectively. All 10 of Bond's points came in the second half of the contest.
Both the EMU offense and defense were strong throughout the game, as the defense held the Chippewas to a 23-of-63 (36.5 percent) shooting performance. Additionally, Central only managed to convert 5-of-25 (20 percent) shots from downtown, and was out-rebounded by the Eagles, 40-27. EMU converted a high percentage of shots, finishing 25-of-51 (49 percent), while also winning the second chance battle as well with a 20-11 advantage.
Thompson began the game with a nice hook shot, before a transition layup from Toney gave the Eagles an early 4-0 lead. A thunderous dunk from Thompson increased the lead to 6-0, as the EMU defense held the Chips in check. Coming out of the media timeout, a nice steal from Bond led to a layup from junior Willie Mangum IV (Richmond, Va.-Marshall (San Jacinto College)) on the other end, giving EMU a 10-2 lead. A three from Nazione then put the Eagles ahead by double digits, before a jumper from the Chips brought the lead back down to single digits. A quick run from Central brought the lead down to three, 13-10, with 11:38 remaining in the half. Both offenses cooled down a bit, as the score stood at 17-14, with 8:50 remaining in the opening frame.
A three from redshirt junior Jodan Price (Indianapolis, Ind.-Detroit Country Day (DePaul)) gave the Eagles a bit of a cushion, taking the 20-14 lead into a media timeout at 7:33. Thompson continued thriving on the offensive end, with another hook shot and a pair of free throws to give him 10 with 4:45 remaining in the first half. A three from redshirt junior Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) put the Eagles back ahead by double digits, and a layup from Thompson opened up a huge 31-18 lead with 3:38 remaining in the half. The defense continued giving Central problems, as the Chips were 8-of-26 from the floor and 0-of-8 from downtown at this point. Approaching halftime, the Eagles' offensive rhythm continued, as the team opened a 38-23 lead heading into the locker rooms. A primary reason for the big halftime lead was the Eagles winning the rebounding battle, as EMU had 20 in comparison to Central's nine.
Out of the break, the Eagle offense continued rolling, still maintaining a double-digit lead with 16:30 left to play. Central kept chipping away, with the score standing at 44-32 at the 15:17 media timeout. A two from the Chips brought the lead down to single-digits once again, but the free throws from Nazione put the lead back at 11. Thompson continued controlling the boards, as he nabbed his 15th double-double of the season with 11:31 left in the game.
Heading into the final 10 minutes of the game, the Green and White still held the lead, but the Chips would not go away. Nazione picked up a double-double of his own, notching 13 points and 10 rebound with 7 minutes left to play. Timely offensive rebounds from Thompson kept the Eagle offense rolling, as the double-digit lead returned, 54-44, with 6:34 remaining. Heading into the final five minutes, the Eagles needed to close out the game strong in order to secure the win. A nice pass from Bond led to a three from Lee, putting the lead back at 10, 57-47, with 3:29 remaining. From there, teams continued trading baskets, with EMU maintaining a double-digit lead, 63-52, with 1:49 left in the game. Both ends of the court came up big in crunch time, as the Green and White continued converting on the offensive end. With the clock striking zero, the Eagles came out on top, 71-56.
The Eagles remain at home for a Saturday, Feb. 13, bout with Kent State University. Tipoff at the Convocation Center is slated for Noon.
Team Stats
CMU
EMU
FG%
.365
.490
3FG%
.200
.455
FT%
.714
.800
RB
27
40
TO
9
14
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's BasketballC
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