Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
0-1,0-0MAC
Indiana
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Second Half Surge Not Enough as EMU Falls at Indiana, 68-62
11/9/2021 8:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Farrakhan and McBride led the Eagles with 18 and 12 points, respectively
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team pulled within two, 64-62, with 24 seconds left in the game, but could not pull off the upset in Bloomington, Ind., falling 68-62, inside Assembly Hall, tonight, Nov. 9.
The Eagles (0-1; 0-0 MAC) had two players score in double figures, led by freshman guard Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School (East Carolina)), who had 18 points while junior guard Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg C.C.)) added12 points off the bench, and Thomas Binelli (Bologna, Italy-Bergen Catholic (Monroe)) recorded eight points, three steals, and two blocks.
Defensively, Eastern held the Hoosiers to just 16.7 percent from beyond-the-arc in a 4-for-24 shooting performance. Conversely, EMU was solid, shooting 9-of-23 (39.7%) from deep.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan had a slow start to the contest, shooting just 22.6 percent from the floor (7-31), and falling behind 36-19 heading into halftime.
EMU narrowed its deficit to 10, 48-58, with 5:19 left in the second half. Farrakhan scored the final 14 points for Eastern, pulling the Green and White as close as two, 64-62, before Indiana sealed the game. Eastern shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting six shots from downtown to score 18 of its 43 points. Additionally, the Green and White sunk 11 of their 13 free throws, shooting 84.6 percent from the line.
Game Notes
» Eastern played solid perimeter defense, holding Indiana to 16.7 percent from three on 24 attempts.
» The EMU bench made an impact by adding 22 points to its scoring output.
» The Green and White also recorded more steals than the Hoosiers, 6-to-3.
» Farrakhan led the Eagles with 18 points.
» Eastern Michigan got a team-high 10 rebounds from senior Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley (Northern Illinois)).
» Binelli set a career-high with two blocks.
» Senior captain Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) snagged a career-best nine rebounds.
Up Next
The Eagles look to celebrate Head Coach Stan Heath's first game inside the Convocation Center, Nov. 12, as they welcome Illinois State to Ypsilanti. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., and fans can watch the contest on ESPN+/ESPN3. In addition to the in-game amenities and entertainment that fans are accustomed to, 1,000 attendees will also leave the game with a special gift; A commemorative, specially wrapped "Stan Heath Bar," will be given away upon exiting the Convocation Center. A total of 10 bars will contain special "golden tickets," that entitle the recipient to unique and exclusive Eastern Michigan experiences.
