Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, March 5
Kalamazoo, Mich.
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
6-12,3-11MAC
64
at
63
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
5-16,4-12MAC
1
2
F
Eastern Mich.
30
34
64
Western Mich.
21
42
63
Down to the Wire, Men’s Basketball Edges Western Michigan
3/5/2021 9:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Four Eagles recorded double-figure scoring performances, led by Yeikson Montero with 20 points
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team held on in a nailbiter at Mid-American Conference opponent and in-state rival Western Michigan University, 64-63, tonight, inside WMU's University Arena.
With a two-point lead and under 20 seconds on the clock, the Eastern Michigan (6-12, 3-11 MAC) defense needed one stop to finish off its in-state rival and secure victory in the only meeting between the two squads this season. Although an Eastern defender was able to get a hand in the face of Western Michigan's (5-16, 4-12 MAC) Greg Lee, the disruption wasn't enough, as he nailed a 17-foot jumped to knot that game at 63-apiece with under 10 seconds to play. Now with the ball, Eastern raced up the court for one final shot, which was taken by senior Noah Morgan (Mount Vernon, N.Y.-Mount Vernon (Northwest Florida State)) from the left corner. As the ball deflected off the side of the backboard, jubilation and cheer flooded the echo chambers of University Arena. In a rare twist, however, EMU's bench was also celebrating, because, to the disappointment of WMU players, coaches, and fans, Morgan had successfully drawn a foul which gave him three free throw attempts with 0.9 seconds remaining. Although he missed his final two attempts, his make on attempt No. 1 was enough to give EMU a 64-63 lead and give the Eagles a win on their rival's home court.
Senior Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) led four Eagles in double figures with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including three makes from downtown. Junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) was the second EMU play to reach 10-plus points with 14. He also contributed a team-high three assists. Redshirt senior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) notched his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Noah added 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Eastern Michigan ended the evening shooting 43 percent from the field (25-of-58), compared to Western's 48 percent clip (25-of-52). The Eagles went 8-of-20 from beyond the arc (40 percent), which is the second-highest percentage this season. EMU held the advantage in blocks (3-2), steals (9-3), and turnovers (6-14), while the Broncos posted the edge in rebounds (39-28), and assists (14-8).
Eastern Michigan struggled to find its offensive flow in the beginning minutes of the first half as it was able to find the bottom of the net just twice in the opening six minutes of play. The Broncos needed just eight minutes to hit the 10-point mark as it went ahead, 10-6, at the 12:05 mark.
Undeterred, the Green and White fought back with a 7-1 stint of its own to take a 13-11 advantage with nine minutes remaining in the half. The scoring drive was highlighted by a McBride triple and layup. Eastern's defense also displayed a shut-it-down mentality during the stretch as Western Michigan missed four shots and turned the ball over five times during the run.
With momentum clearly on the side of EMU, the visiting team continued its offensive spark. This time, the Eagles went on a 17-9 run over a seven-minute span, a stretch that helped to propel the Eagles to a 30-21 edge at halftime.
Still energized out of the halftime intermission, Eastern put together bench-raising possessions in consecutive trips down the floor as Groce flew through the air and slammed home an alley-oop before Darion Spottsville (Phoenix Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) picked off a Bronco pass and hit Montero for an open three-pointer, which he flushed. Those buckets put EMU ahead by 12, 35-23, with just under 19 minutes remaining, a lead it pushed to 14 in its very next possession.
Although Eastern was held scoreless for the next four minutes, its defense kept Western in check and kept the home team down by double digits as the clock continued to wind down. As to be expected on Senior Night, Western Michigan refused to back down under pressure, and was able to successfully pull within seven points, 42-35, with 13 left to play. The Eagles were able to successfully whether that WMU run, but faced one final push for the home team after the games under-eight media timeout.
With Eastern up seven, 53-46, and 6:25 left to play, the Broncos drained a three-ball to get right back in the game. The teams traded buckets over the ensuing four minutes and ultimately, the margin remained at four, 60-56, with 2:31 to play in the game. The next basket, made by the Broncos, came with under one minute to play and notched WMU within two for the first time in the half, 60-58. WMU then cut the lead to just one, 62-61, with 24 ticks on the clock, before tying the game at 63-all with only nine seconds remaining.
Although EMU missed what would have been a game-winner at the buzzer, it got a trip to the line with 0.9 seconds as Morgan was fouled on the shot.
He made the first attempt, which was enough to seal the victory over Western Michigan, 64-63.
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.
With a two-point lead and under 20 seconds on the clock, the Eastern Michigan (6-12, 3-11 MAC) defense needed one stop to finish off its in-state rival and secure victory in the only meeting between the two squads this season. Although an Eastern defender was able to get a hand in the face of Western Michigan's (5-16, 4-12 MAC) Greg Lee, the disruption wasn't enough, as he nailed a 17-foot jumped to knot that game at 63-apiece with under 10 seconds to play. Now with the ball, Eastern raced up the court for one final shot, which was taken by senior Noah Morgan (Mount Vernon, N.Y.-Mount Vernon (Northwest Florida State)) from the left corner. As the ball deflected off the side of the backboard, jubilation and cheer flooded the echo chambers of University Arena. In a rare twist, however, EMU's bench was also celebrating, because, to the disappointment of WMU players, coaches, and fans, Morgan had successfully drawn a foul which gave him three free throw attempts with 0.9 seconds remaining. Although he missed his final two attempts, his make on attempt No. 1 was enough to give EMU a 64-63 lead and give the Eagles a win on their rival's home court.
Senior Yeikson Montero (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Redemption Christian Academy (Pensacola State)) led four Eagles in double figures with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including three makes from downtown. Junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) was the second EMU play to reach 10-plus points with 14. He also contributed a team-high three assists. Redshirt senior Ty Groce (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Lincoln) notched his fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Noah added 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Eastern Michigan ended the evening shooting 43 percent from the field (25-of-58), compared to Western's 48 percent clip (25-of-52). The Eagles went 8-of-20 from beyond the arc (40 percent), which is the second-highest percentage this season. EMU held the advantage in blocks (3-2), steals (9-3), and turnovers (6-14), while the Broncos posted the edge in rebounds (39-28), and assists (14-8).
Eastern Michigan struggled to find its offensive flow in the beginning minutes of the first half as it was able to find the bottom of the net just twice in the opening six minutes of play. The Broncos needed just eight minutes to hit the 10-point mark as it went ahead, 10-6, at the 12:05 mark.
Undeterred, the Green and White fought back with a 7-1 stint of its own to take a 13-11 advantage with nine minutes remaining in the half. The scoring drive was highlighted by a McBride triple and layup. Eastern's defense also displayed a shut-it-down mentality during the stretch as Western Michigan missed four shots and turned the ball over five times during the run.
With momentum clearly on the side of EMU, the visiting team continued its offensive spark. This time, the Eagles went on a 17-9 run over a seven-minute span, a stretch that helped to propel the Eagles to a 30-21 edge at halftime.
Still energized out of the halftime intermission, Eastern put together bench-raising possessions in consecutive trips down the floor as Groce flew through the air and slammed home an alley-oop before Darion Spottsville (Phoenix Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) picked off a Bronco pass and hit Montero for an open three-pointer, which he flushed. Those buckets put EMU ahead by 12, 35-23, with just under 19 minutes remaining, a lead it pushed to 14 in its very next possession.
Although Eastern was held scoreless for the next four minutes, its defense kept Western in check and kept the home team down by double digits as the clock continued to wind down. As to be expected on Senior Night, Western Michigan refused to back down under pressure, and was able to successfully pull within seven points, 42-35, with 13 left to play. The Eagles were able to successfully whether that WMU run, but faced one final push for the home team after the games under-eight media timeout.
With Eastern up seven, 53-46, and 6:25 left to play, the Broncos drained a three-ball to get right back in the game. The teams traded buckets over the ensuing four minutes and ultimately, the margin remained at four, 60-56, with 2:31 to play in the game. The next basket, made by the Broncos, came with under one minute to play and notched WMU within two for the first time in the half, 60-58. WMU then cut the lead to just one, 62-61, with 24 ticks on the clock, before tying the game at 63-all with only nine seconds remaining.
Although EMU missed what would have been a game-winner at the buzzer, it got a trip to the line with 0.9 seconds as Morgan was fouled on the shot.
He made the first attempt, which was enough to seal the victory over Western Michigan, 64-63.
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
EMU
WMU
FG%
.431
.481
3FG%
.400
.368
FT%
.500
.545
RB
28
39
TO
6
14
STL
9
3
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ 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