Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
8-16 (3-10MAC)
Ohio
21-4 (12-2MAC)
EMU Men's Hoops Falls to Ohio
2/12/2022 5:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Luka Savicevic earns his first double-digit performance with 11 points off the bench
Photo Gallery | WEMU 89.1 FM Postgame Audio - Stan Heath
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team fell, 74-56, to Ohio University at home today, Feb. 12, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
The Eagles (8-16, 3-10 MAC) had three players score in double figures, led by senior Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz.-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)), who had 12 points. Freshman Luka Savicevic (Skopje, North Macedonia-Sports Academy Skopje) tacked on 11 points off of the bench, and junior Bryce McBride (Jackson, Tenn.-Southside (Dyersburg State C.C.)) chipped in as well with 10 points.
Defensively, EMU forced Ohio into nine turnovers as freshman Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School (East Carolina)) led the team with two steals. On the boards, senior Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley (Northern Illinois)) hauled in seven rebounds, while freshman Mo Njie (Centerville, Ohio-Centerville (DME Sports Academy)) was the only Eagle to record multiple offensive boards in the contest with two.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 19-14 advantage, Eastern Michigan went on a 10-0 run with 7:31 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Savicevic, to increase its lead to 29-14. The Eagles then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 33-25 advantage. Eastern relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 33 points.
Ohio then erased the Eastern Michigan lead in the game's final stanza for a 74-56 comeback victory. The Green and White took care of business in the paint, recording 12 of its 23 points in the lane.
Game Notes
» The Eagles had three players score in double-digits in Spottsville (12), Savicevic (11), and McBride (10).
» Savicevic had a career performance with personal-bests in points (11), rebounds (5), and made three-pointers (3). Additionally, this is the freshman's first game with multiple threes since shooting 2-of-3 at Michigan State, Nov. 20, and his first game in double figures.
» EMU out-rebounded the Bobcats in the first half 22-14, but lost the game advantage, 39-38.
» Nine of 10 Eagles that saw game action for Eastern Michigan scored in the contest.
» Spottsville led Eastern in scoring with 12 points, marking the second time this season the senior has led the team. Additionally, it's his sixth double figure performance this year.
» Eastern held Ohio to 32 percent (8-of-25) from the field and 23.1 percent (2-of-13) from three in the first half. Furthermore, the Bobcats' 25 first-half points are a season-low in conference play.
» N. Scott led the Eagles with seven rebounds. The senior now boasts six outings with at least seven boards.
» Eastern saw 30 points from its bench, compared to just 12 from Ohio. It is the seventh game of the year that the bench has produced 30-or-more.
» Senior Monty Scott (Union, N.J.-St. Benedicts Prep (Portland State)) and N. Scott were the only Eagles to record assists, each having two.
» Spottsville and Savicevic came off the bench to scored 23 of Eastern's 30 bench points (76.6%).
» Farrakhan led the Eagles with two steals, marking the seventh game the freshman has recorded multiple swipes.
Historical Notes
» Today's contest was the 80th between Eastern Michigan and Ohio, dating back to the 1972-72 season. With the win today, the Bobcats now lead the series 54-26. OU won the first game in the series this year, with an 81-68 victory in Athens, Feb. 3.
Up Next
Eastern returns to the road Tuesday, Feb. 15, with a trip to mid-Michigan to battle in-state rival Central Michigan University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. from McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich. The Eagles already knocked off the Chippewas, 99-68, at home earlier this season, Jan. 11.
