Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Topped by Cardinals in Muncie, 64-55
2/22/2020 3:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Boubacar Toure led the Green and White with 16 points
MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team fell late to Ball State University this afternoon, Feb. 22, 64-55. The Eagles (15-12; 5-9 MAC) held the early lead, but were unable to hang on for the win against Mid-American Conference West Division foe BSU (16-12; 9-6 MAC).
It was a close game early, tied at eight-all going into the first media timeout. Junior Jalen King (Pasco, Wash.-Kings Academy) brought a spark off the bench, scoring five consecutive points for the Green and White. After that, the defense locked in, forcing Ball State into 12 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, and grabbing eight steals. Redshirt senior Boubacar Toure (Dakar, Senegal-Phase One Academy (Grand Canyon)) led the team in the first half with 12 points and four rebounds. Redshirt junior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) added six points of his own, along with an assist and a steal. Eastern entered halftime with an 11-point lead (33-22).
To start the second stanza, junior Thomas Binelli (Bologna, Italy-Bergen Catholic (Morgan College)) hit two from deep, but the Eagles allowed the Cardinals to comeback and tie the game at 49-all with 6:27 left in the game. Battling back-and-forth, the Green and White were unable to stop BSU as they shot 50 percent (13-of-26) from downtown, outscoring the squad, 44-22 in the second half.
Toure paced all Eagles with 16 points and eight rebounds. He was followed by Binelli, scoring nine points from three, and point-guard junior Darion Spottsville (Pheonix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (Shadow Mountain C.C.)) chipped in eight points as well. Groce had seven points to go along with three rebounds and four assists. Junior Noah Morgan (Mount Vernon, N.Y.-Mount Vernon (Northwest Florida State)) topped EMU with three steals and classmate Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) had two of his own. Freshman Chris James (Long Beach, Cali.-St. John Bosco) registered his first career block as well.
The Green and White ended the day shooting 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, compared to BSU's 51.1 percent (23-of-45). Eastern dominated the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 40-14, but Ball State outrebounded the Green and White 31-21.
The Eagles will return to action inside the friendly confines of the Convocation Center Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. against Northern Illinois University.
It was a close game early, tied at eight-all going into the first media timeout. Junior Jalen King (Pasco, Wash.-Kings Academy) brought a spark off the bench, scoring five consecutive points for the Green and White. After that, the defense locked in, forcing Ball State into 12 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, and grabbing eight steals. Redshirt senior Boubacar Toure (Dakar, Senegal-Phase One Academy (Grand Canyon)) led the team in the first half with 12 points and four rebounds. Redshirt junior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) added six points of his own, along with an assist and a steal. Eastern entered halftime with an 11-point lead (33-22).
To start the second stanza, junior Thomas Binelli (Bologna, Italy-Bergen Catholic (Morgan College)) hit two from deep, but the Eagles allowed the Cardinals to comeback and tie the game at 49-all with 6:27 left in the game. Battling back-and-forth, the Green and White were unable to stop BSU as they shot 50 percent (13-of-26) from downtown, outscoring the squad, 44-22 in the second half.
Toure paced all Eagles with 16 points and eight rebounds. He was followed by Binelli, scoring nine points from three, and point-guard junior Darion Spottsville (Pheonix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (Shadow Mountain C.C.)) chipped in eight points as well. Groce had seven points to go along with three rebounds and four assists. Junior Noah Morgan (Mount Vernon, N.Y.-Mount Vernon (Northwest Florida State)) topped EMU with three steals and classmate Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) had two of his own. Freshman Chris James (Long Beach, Cali.-St. John Bosco) registered his first career block as well.
The Green and White ended the day shooting 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the field, compared to BSU's 51.1 percent (23-of-45). Eastern dominated the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 40-14, but Ball State outrebounded the Green and White 31-21.
The Eagles will return to action inside the friendly confines of the Convocation Center Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. against Northern Illinois University.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Cinematic Recap
Saturday, October 11
E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - John Bowler
Friday, October 10
Ben Braun Video at MAC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Friday, May 30