Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, December 27
Convocation Center
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
2-2,0-1MAC
94
vs
65
Olivet
0-2,0-0Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
1
2
F
Olivet
27
38
65
Eastern Mich.
52
42
94
Men’s Basketball Bests Olivet, 94-65
12/27/2020 3:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles improve to 2-2 overall on the season
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team bested Olivet College, to improve to 2-2 on the season, routing the Comets 94-65, Sunday, Dec. 27, inside the Convocation Center.
Eastern Michigan's (2-2; 0-1 MAC) efficient shooting from deep helped the Eagles outperform its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association counterpart, Olivet College (0-2; 0-0 MIAA), as they hit 10 first half three-pointers.
Senior Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) was superb on the offensive end, hitting a career-high seven three's (7-of-12) and finishing the afternoon shooting 9-of-15 (60.0 percent) from the field. Montero also led the team in steals with five, which marks the second time this season he has picked at least five pockets in a game. Junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) wrapped up his afternoon with 17 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. The Tennessee native complemented his scoring output by adding four helpers. Redshirt senior James Love III (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-American Heritage (Kansas State)) and redshirt junior Miles Gibson (Richmond, Va.-Milwood (Northwest Kansas Tech)) both grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.
Redshirt senior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) opened up scoring for the Eagles with a physical layup to tie the game at 2-2 in the opening minute of play. Moments later, Love III recorded his first points as an Eagle, nailing a pretty floater as EMU trailed 6-4 at the 17:23 mark. After a cold start, the Green and White started to catch fire, as they closed the first 20 minutes on a 23-3 run over the final 6:43 to go into the half 52-27. Montero was the catalyst for the Eagles as he drilled six-three pointers to finish the frame with 20 points. His 20-point first half performance had not been accomplished in the Convo since Jan. 19, 2000 against Akron by former Eagle Corey Tarrant.
EMU continued to execute on the offensive end, highlighted by a McBride and-one conversion as the lead expanded to 58-27. Halfway through the final period, Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) intercepted a Comets' pass and took it to the hoop to make it 83-46 with 7:51 remaining. EMU coasted for the remainder of the game, exchanging shots with OC and finished off Olivet, 94-65.
Eastern outperformed Olivet in bench points (34-16), fastbreak points (31-13), and points off turnover (47-9). The Green and White forced the Red and White into 33 turnovers, snagging 22 steals. The Eagles' 22 steals ties for first for a team single-game record. The Comets held the field-goal percentage advantage, shooting 46.0 percent (23-of-50), compared to EMU's 42.1 percent (32-of-76). Olivet also outshot the Eagle from beyond the arc, 44.0 percent (11-of-25) to 35.9 percent (14-of-39).
The Eagles will remain at home as they host Mid-American conference rival Central Michigan Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. Later in the week, the Green and White will look to defend the Convocation Center once more as they faceoff against Kent State, Saturday, Jan. 2, at 5:30 p.m. For more information on Eastern Michigan men's basketball, visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team's official Twitter at Twitter.com/EMU_MBB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUMBB, or on Instagram at Instgram.com/emumbb.
Eastern Michigan's (2-2; 0-1 MAC) efficient shooting from deep helped the Eagles outperform its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association counterpart, Olivet College (0-2; 0-0 MIAA), as they hit 10 first half three-pointers.
Senior Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) was superb on the offensive end, hitting a career-high seven three's (7-of-12) and finishing the afternoon shooting 9-of-15 (60.0 percent) from the field. Montero also led the team in steals with five, which marks the second time this season he has picked at least five pockets in a game. Junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) wrapped up his afternoon with 17 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. The Tennessee native complemented his scoring output by adding four helpers. Redshirt senior James Love III (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-American Heritage (Kansas State)) and redshirt junior Miles Gibson (Richmond, Va.-Milwood (Northwest Kansas Tech)) both grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.
Redshirt senior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) opened up scoring for the Eagles with a physical layup to tie the game at 2-2 in the opening minute of play. Moments later, Love III recorded his first points as an Eagle, nailing a pretty floater as EMU trailed 6-4 at the 17:23 mark. After a cold start, the Green and White started to catch fire, as they closed the first 20 minutes on a 23-3 run over the final 6:43 to go into the half 52-27. Montero was the catalyst for the Eagles as he drilled six-three pointers to finish the frame with 20 points. His 20-point first half performance had not been accomplished in the Convo since Jan. 19, 2000 against Akron by former Eagle Corey Tarrant.
EMU continued to execute on the offensive end, highlighted by a McBride and-one conversion as the lead expanded to 58-27. Halfway through the final period, Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) intercepted a Comets' pass and took it to the hoop to make it 83-46 with 7:51 remaining. EMU coasted for the remainder of the game, exchanging shots with OC and finished off Olivet, 94-65.
Eastern outperformed Olivet in bench points (34-16), fastbreak points (31-13), and points off turnover (47-9). The Green and White forced the Red and White into 33 turnovers, snagging 22 steals. The Eagles' 22 steals ties for first for a team single-game record. The Comets held the field-goal percentage advantage, shooting 46.0 percent (23-of-50), compared to EMU's 42.1 percent (32-of-76). Olivet also outshot the Eagle from beyond the arc, 44.0 percent (11-of-25) to 35.9 percent (14-of-39).
The Eagles will remain at home as they host Mid-American conference rival Central Michigan Tuesday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. Later in the week, the Green and White will look to defend the Convocation Center once more as they faceoff against Kent State, Saturday, Jan. 2, at 5:30 p.m. For more information on Eastern Michigan men's basketball, visit EMUEagles.com or follow the team's official Twitter at Twitter.com/EMU_MBB, on Facebook at Facebook.com/EMUMBB, or on Instagram at Instgram.com/emumbb.
Team Stats
Olivet
EMU
FG%
.460
.421
3FG%
.440
.359
FT%
.889
.762
RB
39
38
TO
33
10
STL
6
22
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
9
3FGM
7
FTM
0
Pts
17
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
7
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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