Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
4-5,0-0MAC
Niagara
3-6,0-2MAAC
Eastern Michigan Scores 34 Points in the Paint as Niagara Falls, 60-58
12/8/2021 9:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bryce McBride paces the Eagles with 19 points
Game Highlights | Postgame Press Conference
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) --The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team defeated Niagara University, 60-58, on Wednesday night inside the Convocation Center.
The Eagles (4-5, 0-0 MAC) had three players score in double figures, led by junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) produced a game-high 19 points and a season-high three steals. Senior Monty Scott (Union, N.J.-St. Benedict's Prep (Portland State)) tacked on 11 points while freshman Colin Golson Jr. (Detroit, Mich.-Ferndale (Siena)) also added 11 points and six rebounds.
The Eastern Michigan defense held Niagara shooters to only 37.3 (19-of-51) percent from the field, including 20.8 (5-of-24) percent from beyond the arc. The Purple Eagles did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only nine offensive rebounds and scored nine second-chance points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 27-25, Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run with 1:33 left in the first half to take a 30-27 lead heading into the break. The Eagles got a great contribution from its bench in the first stanza, as non-starters accounted for 13 of EMU's 30 total points.
Following intermission, Eastern widened that advantage, expanding it to 43-34 before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by an M. Scott jumper, to grow the lead to 48-34 with 11:11 to go in the contest. Niagara narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Eagles still held on for the 60-58 win. Eastern Michigan took care of business in the paint, recording 20 of its 30 points in the lane in the second half.
Game Notes
» EMU forced 14 turnovers and scored 17 points off of those turnovers.
» The Green and White edged the Purple Eagles in points in the paint (34-24), points off turnovers (17-7), and fast break points (16-9).
» Eastern Michigan never trailed in the second half on its way to its fourth victory of the season.
» Eastern's bench came alive, scoring 23 points. It's the eighth time this season the Eagles' bench has notched 20+ points.
» McBride led the Eagles with a game-high 19 points. His 19 points mark the third time this season he has scored 15-or-more points off the bench.
» Golson led EMU with six rebounds, all on the defensive end.
» The two-point victory over Niagara was the third time this season the Eagles have won by single-digits.
» Eastern Michigan had three scorers in double-digits point totals for the sixth time in the 2021-22 campaign. It also marked the third-straight game in which three Eagles scored in double figures.
» Senior Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley (Northern Illinois)) led Eastern with two blocks. The total marks his third contest this season with a multi-block effort (2 at Northern Kentucky, Nov. 18; 2 vs. Northwood, Dec. 5).
» Eastern Michigan had a season-high 12 assists as a team, led by senior Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) and freshman Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School (East Carolina)) who each had four assists to help facilitate.
» Guard M. Scott recorded his eighth consecutive game with double-digit points (11), dating back to Nov. 12 when the senior notched a season-high 28 points versus Illinois State.
» EMU's defense allowed just 58 points, its lowest total against a Division I opponent this season. The Eagles thwarted Division II opponent Northwood's offense to 57, Dec. 5, a season-low.
» The Eagles 60 points is the lowest amount scored by the Green and White in a victory this season.
Historical Notes
» Tonight's contest was the third all-time meeting between the two schools. EMU now holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time head-to-head series.
» With the win, the Eagles improved to 4-0 at home on the season. The last time Eastern started 4-0 at home to start the season was the 2019-20 season.
» EMU has beaten three Division I teams at home (vs. Illinois State, Nov. 12; vs. Western Illinois, Nov. 24) to start the season. The last time EMU beat three Division I opponents at home to start a season was the 2017-18 season when the Green and White defeated Arkansas State (Nov. 16, 76-59), Howard (Nov. 18, 76-66), and Oakland (Dec. 6, 95-89).
» Eastern Michigan Head Coach Stan Heath became the first EMU head coach to start a season 4-0 at home in their first season as head coach since former Eagles Head Coach Milton Barnes started 8-0 at home in his first season during the 1996-97 campaign.
Make Plans For Gervin Day Presented By GameAbove
The Iceman is returning home! E-Club Hall of Famer and NBA Legend George Gervin will be coming home as a part of the upcoming men's basketball game against Florida International Saturday, Dec. 11. The fun-filled day will be presented by GameAbove.
Gervin will be the focal point of the afternoon with fun activities and giveaways. Be sure to wear white against FIU as we "ice out" the Convo. Fans can buy tickets to the Dec. 11 contest for 24 percent off in honor of Gervin's EMU jersey number, 24.
