Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 22
Akron, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
7-10,2-4MAC
44
at
46
Akron
12-5,5-2MAC
1
2
F
Eastern Mich.
29
15
44
Akron
23
23
46
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Last-Second Shot Falls Short in EMU’s 46-44 Setback at Akron
1/22/2022 8:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bryce McBride's layup to tie the game rolled off as time expired
AKRON, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – Down two points with six seconds remaining, Eastern Michigan University drove the length of the court and had an opportunity to tie or take the lead against The University of Akron. Unfortunately, junior Bryce McBride's (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside-Dyersburg State C.C.) layup rolled off, as the Zips escaped with a 46-44 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The defensive slugfest saw Eastern Michigan (7-10, 2-4 MAC) hold Akron to just 34 percent (17-of-50). However, the Zips (12-5, 5-2 MAC) limited the Eagles to just 24 percent (6-for-25) shooting in the second half, and just 1-of-6 from outside.
The short-handed Eagles had two players score in double figures, led by freshman Colin Golson Jr. (Detroit, Mich.-Ferndale-Siena), who had 14 points. McBride added 10 points and freshman Mo Njie (Centerville, Ohio-Centerville-DME Sports Academy) added six points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
The Zips did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed five second chance points while Eastern Michigan cleared 28 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 3-0, Eastern Michigan went on an 11-0 run with 18:00 left in the first half to take an 11-3 lead. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 29-23 advantage. Eastern Michigan did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 29 points close to the basket.
Akron proceeded to take a 44-36 lead before Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Thomas Binelli's (Bologna, Italy-Bergen Catholic-Monroe) jumper, to shrink the deficit to 44-42 with 2:55 to go in the contest. The Eagles were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, falling 46-44.
Game Notes
» The Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying six blocks as a team. The mark ties a season-best set previously against Michigan State (Nov. 20) and Northwood (Dec. 5
» Eastern Michigan got a team-high eight rebounds from Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley-Northern Illinois).
» EMU got just two points from its reserves in the game. Coming into the game, the Eagles were averaging 24.5 points per game from its bench.
» The Eagles played the contest without their two two scorers in Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School-East Carolina) and Monty Scott (Union, N.J.-St. Benedict's Prep-Portland State).
» Eastern has not had its full rotation of student-athletes dressed for a game in more than 48 days. The last such occurrence was against Northwood, Dec. 5, when 13 players saw action in the 79-57 non-conference victory.
» The Eagles had an early eight point advantage, 11-3, with 13:23 to play in the first half.
» EMU held Akron to just 23 first half points, the second fewest the Zips have posted in a first half this season. UA tallied just 21 points in the opening frame against Appalachian State, Nov. 23.
» Akron's 23 points were also the fewest first half points the Zips had scored in a home game against Eastern Michigan since Feb. 5, 2014. That day, Eastern held a 27-18 edge at the break before Akron roared back to win 52-48.
» EMU missed its first 11 shots of the second half before McBride opened the scoring with a driving layup at the 11:20 mark. During that span, Akron was able to notch a 10-0 run.
Historical Notes
» Since 1998, EMU is just 2-16 inside James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 16 seasons, Akron has posted a 234-36 record at the JAR.
» The game marked the 56th meeting between Eastern Michigan and Akron. The Zips lead the series, 33-23, which began in 1968.
Up Next
Stan Heath and company remain on the road Tuesday, Jan. 25, with a visit to Bowling Green State University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. from the Stroh Center on BGSU's campus. The game will be televised on ESPN+, while WEMU (89.1 FM) will air the game locally.
The defensive slugfest saw Eastern Michigan (7-10, 2-4 MAC) hold Akron to just 34 percent (17-of-50). However, the Zips (12-5, 5-2 MAC) limited the Eagles to just 24 percent (6-for-25) shooting in the second half, and just 1-of-6 from outside.
The short-handed Eagles had two players score in double figures, led by freshman Colin Golson Jr. (Detroit, Mich.-Ferndale-Siena), who had 14 points. McBride added 10 points and freshman Mo Njie (Centerville, Ohio-Centerville-DME Sports Academy) added six points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
The Zips did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed five second chance points while Eastern Michigan cleared 28 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 3-0, Eastern Michigan went on an 11-0 run with 18:00 left in the first half to take an 11-3 lead. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 29-23 advantage. Eastern Michigan did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 29 points close to the basket.
Akron proceeded to take a 44-36 lead before Eastern Michigan went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Thomas Binelli's (Bologna, Italy-Bergen Catholic-Monroe) jumper, to shrink the deficit to 44-42 with 2:55 to go in the contest. The Eagles were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, falling 46-44.
Game Notes
» The Eagles were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying six blocks as a team. The mark ties a season-best set previously against Michigan State (Nov. 20) and Northwood (Dec. 5
» Eastern Michigan got a team-high eight rebounds from Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley-Northern Illinois).
» EMU got just two points from its reserves in the game. Coming into the game, the Eagles were averaging 24.5 points per game from its bench.
» The Eagles played the contest without their two two scorers in Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School-East Carolina) and Monty Scott (Union, N.J.-St. Benedict's Prep-Portland State).
» Eastern has not had its full rotation of student-athletes dressed for a game in more than 48 days. The last such occurrence was against Northwood, Dec. 5, when 13 players saw action in the 79-57 non-conference victory.
» The Eagles had an early eight point advantage, 11-3, with 13:23 to play in the first half.
» EMU held Akron to just 23 first half points, the second fewest the Zips have posted in a first half this season. UA tallied just 21 points in the opening frame against Appalachian State, Nov. 23.
» Akron's 23 points were also the fewest first half points the Zips had scored in a home game against Eastern Michigan since Feb. 5, 2014. That day, Eastern held a 27-18 edge at the break before Akron roared back to win 52-48.
» EMU missed its first 11 shots of the second half before McBride opened the scoring with a driving layup at the 11:20 mark. During that span, Akron was able to notch a 10-0 run.
Historical Notes
» Since 1998, EMU is just 2-16 inside James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 16 seasons, Akron has posted a 234-36 record at the JAR.
» The game marked the 56th meeting between Eastern Michigan and Akron. The Zips lead the series, 33-23, which began in 1968.
Up Next
Stan Heath and company remain on the road Tuesday, Jan. 25, with a visit to Bowling Green State University. Game time is set for 7 p.m. from the Stroh Center on BGSU's campus. The game will be televised on ESPN+, while WEMU (89.1 FM) will air the game locally.
Team Stats
EMU
UA
FG%
.365
.340
3FG%
.200
.318
FT%
.429
.625
RB
35
37
TO
9
10
STL
5
2
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF/G
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