Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
2-3,0-2MAC
Central Michigan
5-4,1-1MAC
Men’s Hoops Fall to the Chippewas, 87-60
12/29/2020 9:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Eagles will look for their first MAC victory against Kent State, Jan. 2
Press Conference
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team was defeated by Mid-American Conference foe and in-state rival Central Michigan, 87-60, Tuesday, Dec. 29, inside the Convocation Center. For the Eagles (2-3, 0-2 MAC), the loss to CMU (5-4, 1-1 MAC) is their first home loss to the Chippewas since falling at home, 77-66, on Feb. 26, 2019. The Green and White look to get even with CMU when they travel to Mount Pleasant, Saturday, Jan. 16.
On the court, the Eagles were led by redshirt senior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln), who recorded his second career double-double with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. The Ypsilanti product added a season-high four steals and shot efficient, drilling 7-of-10 shots from the field. Junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) was another bright spot for the Green and White, as he capped his night with 15 points and a team-high three assists, while sophomore Chris James (Long Beach, Calif.-St. John Bosco) produced a season-high three triples to go along with a pair of assists.
McBride struck first for the Eagles with a slick layup as they trailed 5-3 in the opening minutes. Moments later, Groce showcased his impressive athleticism as he blocked a Chippewas' shot, grabbed the rebound, and then soared through the air to nail a soft floater. At the 9:10 mark, James found Groce for a corner-three to bring the Eagles within one, 17-16.
James added a pair triples of his own as he sunk two huge shots in the final 2:02. Senior Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) joined the three-point party as well, nailing a deep-ball to cap-off a 9-2 EMU run going into the half. However, Central maintained its advantage as it held on to a 33-28 edge at the end of the first stanza.
Starting the second half, Groce continued his scoring ways, capitalizing on a rebound with a mean dunk and driving to the hoop for a lay-in on the next possession. With 15:40 left in the final half, Groce wrangled in his tenth rebound of the game to achieve his second career double-double. The Ypsilanti natives' first career double-double also came against the Chippewas when he produced 22 points and 12 rebounds, Feb. 11, 2020.
Halfway through the second, the Eagles went cold, shooting just 1-for-10 from the field and going scoreless for multiple minutes. Senior Noah Morgan (Mount Vernon, N.Y.-Mount Vernon (Northwest Florida State)) broke the scoring drought with a contested three-pointer as EMU trailed, 61-49, with 7:27 left to play. Morgan sank another three with under three minutes to go, but it was not nearly enough to overcome CMU's proficient shooting. The Chippewas took advantage of the Eagles' inefficiencies down the stretch, going on a 24-5 run late in the game. Central rolled along as the clock ran out, ultimately defeating Eastern 87-60.
The Eagles shot 21-for-55 (38.2 percent) from the field and nine-of-28 from deep (32.1 percent). EMU held the advantage in second-chance points (15-8), steals (8-5), and blocks (2-1). However, the Chippewas had an edge in most categories, including bench points (23-13), fast break points (22-6), and points in the paint (44-22). CMU ended the outing having shot 32-for-55 (58.2 percent) from the field and posted a 40.9 percent clip (9-of-22) from beyond the arc.
Eastern will continue a five-game homestand when it welcomes MAC opponent Kent State to the Convocation Center, Saturday, Jan. 5. Tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. and will be the back half of a doubleheader with the EMU women's team, which plays first, at noon. The Eagles have defeated the Golden Flashes in the last two meetings in Ypsilanti with the most recent home win coming in 70-49 fashion, on Feb. 18, 2020.
