Rockets Hot Shooting Stymies Eagles, 64-58

TOLEDO, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan men's basketball team could not overcome the University of Toledo's hot shooting from beyond the three-point line Friday, March 8, ultimately falling to the Mid-American Conference West Division champions in the 2018-19 regular season finale, 64-58, in Savage Arena.

UT (24-6, 12-5 MAC) turned the tide in a tight contest by closing out the final eight minutes of the first half on a 24-12 run, shooting 78 percent (7-of-9) from the floor and 86 percent (6-of-7) from downtown in that span. EMU (15-15, 9-8 MAC) shot just 36 percent (4-of-11) in that same stretch and went 0-for-5 from beyond the three-point line. Though a valiant second half effort brought Eastern back to within a point with just over six minutes to go, the Rockets dialed in from long-range once again to bury the Eagles in the end.

Redshirt senior Paul Jackson (Stone Mountain, Ga.-Martin Luther King Jr. (Eastern Kentucky)) led the way for Eastern Michigan in terms of scoring, pouring in a team-high 17 points and three assists. Redshirt senior Elijah Minnie (Pittsburgh, Pa.-Lincoln Park (Robert Morris)) would go on to take 15 points, eight boards, and three steals. Senior James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) finished shy of double-digit points, but pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the game and move into the Mid-American Conference lead.

Toledo finished the game shooting 46 percent (13-of-28) from downtown, marking just the fifth time in MAC play that an opponent has made double-digit triples against Eastern. The Rockets took the advantages from the free throw line as well, putting away 81.3 percent (13-of-16) compared to the Eagles' 75 percent (12-of-16), and points off the bench with 19 to Eastern's eight. Though the Green and White dominated on the interior, scoring 26 points to UT's eight, the Rockets were able to make up the difference with their fast break points, taking the advantage 13 to two.

Eastern Michigan now turns its attention to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, as it returns to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. for a bout with Ball State University. The No. 6 Eagles will look to go 3-0 against the No. 11 Cardinals for the first time since 2007.

Order tickets online HERE or call 734.487.3669 to secure your spot. Save $3 on gameday prices by securing your $12 ticket in advance.

MAC Men's Basketball Tournament presented by Visit Myrtle Beach

Monday, March 11, 2019 -- First Round (High Seed Campus Sites)
Game 1: No. 9 Miami vs. No. 8 Akron, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 2: No. 12 Western Michigan vs. No. 5 Central Michigan, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 3: No. 10 Ohio vs. No. 7 Northern Illinois, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Game 4: No. 11 Ball State vs. No. 6 Eastern Michigan, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Thursday, March 14, 2019 -- Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Buffalo vs. Game 1 Winner, Noon ET %
Game 6: No. 4 Kent State vs. Game 2 Winner, Time TBA* %
Game 7: No. 2 Toledo vs. Game 3 Winner, 6:30 PM ET %
Game 8: No. 3 Bowling Green vs. Game 4 Winner, Time TBA* %

Friday, March 15, 2019 -- Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner, 6:30 PM ET #
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner, Approx. 9 PM ET *$

Saturday, March 16, 2019 -- MAC Championship
Game 11: Championship Game, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN2)

# CBS Sports Network | $ FOX College Sports | % ESPN+
*30 minutes following the completion of the first game of the session

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Team Stats

Paul Jackson

Elijah Minnie

James Thompson IV

Kevin McAdoo

Players Mentioned

Paul Jackson

Elijah Minnie

James Thompson IV

Players Mentioned

Paul Jackson

Elijah Minnie

James Thompson IV

Eastern Michigan Athletics