Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 15
DeKalb, IL
3:30 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan University
7-8 (2-2MAC)
70
at
77
Northern Illinois
5-8 (2-1MAC)
1
2
F
Eastern Michigan
32
38
70
Northern Illinois
39
38
77
Men's Basketball Unable to Get Past Northern Illinois, 77-70
1/15/2022 7:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EMU made nine three-pointers and shot 56.2 percent from deep for the contest
DEKALB, Ill. (EMUEagles.com) - Despite strong outside shooting, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team dropped a 77-70 decision at Northern Illinois University Saturday, Jan. 15, inside the Convocation Center. EMU tied a season high with nine three-point field goals made as well as 56.2 shooting percentage (9-of-16) from deep in the Mid-American Conference affair.
The Eagles (7-8, 2-2 MAC) had two players score in double figures, led by freshman Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School-East Carolina), who tied a career-best with 27 points. Senior Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain-South Mountain C.C.) added 11 points, four assists and two steals and Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley-Northern Illinois) added nine points in his return to his previous school.
Eastern's offense was very productive from beyond the arc, knocking down nine threes on 16 attempts. Farrakhan was the most prolific shooter for the Eagles, draining four treys in the contest.
The defense for the Green and White was also a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 16 Northern Illinois turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the other end of the floor. Spottsville's two steals led the way individually for the Eagles.
Eastern Michigan got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 12 of its 38 total points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-7, Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run with 13:41 left in the first half, culminating in a three from freshman Kevin-David Rice (Flint, Mich.-Grand Blanc-Delta College), to take a 12-10 lead. However, the Eagles were unable to hold onto the lead, and entered the lockerroom at the intermission down, 39-32.
After the break, Eastern Michigan kept the Huskies from increasing their lead before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Farrakhan's three, to shrink the deficit to 50-48 with 12:42 to go in the contest. Northern Illinois responded and outscored the Eagles the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 77-70.
Game Notes
» The Eagles made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 9-of-16 shots.
» EMU also made nine three's against Indiana, Nov. 9, in the team's season opener
» The team's 56.3 percent shooting was a season-best, topping a 47.1 clip (8-for-17) at Michigan State, Nov. 20
» The Eastern Michigan defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Farrakhan led the Eagles with a game-high 27 points.
» Eastern Michigan got five rebounds from both Mo Njie (Centerville, Ohio-Centerville-DME Sports Academy) and Spottsville.
» The game marked the return of Nate Scott to the NIU Convocation Center. Scott was a member of the NIU men's basketball team the previous two seasons before transferring to EMU.
» Farrakhan's previously had 27 points in the four-overtime game against Florida International, Dec. 11, 2021
Up Next
» The Eagles return to the George Gervin GameAbove Center Tuesday, Jan. 18, to take on the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. Tip is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN3 and can be listened to as well on WEMU (89.1 FM).
The Eagles (7-8, 2-2 MAC) had two players score in double figures, led by freshman Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School-East Carolina), who tied a career-best with 27 points. Senior Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain-South Mountain C.C.) added 11 points, four assists and two steals and Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley-Northern Illinois) added nine points in his return to his previous school.
Eastern's offense was very productive from beyond the arc, knocking down nine threes on 16 attempts. Farrakhan was the most prolific shooter for the Eagles, draining four treys in the contest.
The defense for the Green and White was also a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 16 Northern Illinois turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the other end of the floor. Spottsville's two steals led the way individually for the Eagles.
Eastern Michigan got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 12 of its 38 total points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-7, Eastern Michigan went on a 5-0 run with 13:41 left in the first half, culminating in a three from freshman Kevin-David Rice (Flint, Mich.-Grand Blanc-Delta College), to take a 12-10 lead. However, the Eagles were unable to hold onto the lead, and entered the lockerroom at the intermission down, 39-32.
After the break, Eastern Michigan kept the Huskies from increasing their lead before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Farrakhan's three, to shrink the deficit to 50-48 with 12:42 to go in the contest. Northern Illinois responded and outscored the Eagles the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 77-70.
Game Notes
» The Eagles made over half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 9-of-16 shots.
» EMU also made nine three's against Indiana, Nov. 9, in the team's season opener
» The team's 56.3 percent shooting was a season-best, topping a 47.1 clip (8-for-17) at Michigan State, Nov. 20
» The Eastern Michigan defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Farrakhan led the Eagles with a game-high 27 points.
» Eastern Michigan got five rebounds from both Mo Njie (Centerville, Ohio-Centerville-DME Sports Academy) and Spottsville.
» The game marked the return of Nate Scott to the NIU Convocation Center. Scott was a member of the NIU men's basketball team the previous two seasons before transferring to EMU.
» Farrakhan's previously had 27 points in the four-overtime game against Florida International, Dec. 11, 2021
Up Next
» The Eagles return to the George Gervin GameAbove Center Tuesday, Jan. 18, to take on the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. Tip is set for 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN3 and can be listened to as well on WEMU (89.1 FM).
Team Stats
EMU
NIU
FG%
.458
.475
3FG%
.563
.462
FT%
.773
.714
RB
26
37
TO
18
16
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
27
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
7
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF/G
/ Men's BasketballG
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