Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
9-18 (4-12MAC)
Akron
17-9 (10-6MAC)
Men's Basketball Drops Home Affair to Akron, 67-48
2/19/2022 5:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Noah Farrakhan dropped 21 points in the effort
Postgame Presser | Photo Gallery
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team could not overcome the University of Akron's solid shooting, falling at home, 67-48, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, Feb. 19.
Freshman Noah Farrakhan (Newark, N.J.-The Patrick School (East Carolina)) led the Eagles (9-18, 4-12 MAC) with 21 points and one assist in the contest. Meanwhile, seniors Darion Spottsville (Phoenix, Ariz-Shadow Mountain (South Mountain C.C.)) and Monty Scott (Union, N.J.-St. Benedict's Prep (Portland State)) each added six points. Defensively, senior Nate Scott (Naperville, Ill.-Neuqua Valley (Northern Illinois)) grabbed six boards and one block, while M. Scott paced the team with two steals. The EMU defense forced Akron into 12 turnovers on the day.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan struggled out of the gate, falling behind 39-24 heading into halftime. The Green and White were only able to knock down 3-of-15 shots from deep in the opening stanza. Eastern could not pull any closer in the second half, losing by a final of 67-48. The Eagles' shooting woes continued, finishing the game 4-of-22 (18.2%) from beyond-the-arc. EMU took advantage of Akron's turnovers, scoring 15 points on the Zips' errors.
Game Notes
» Eastern Michigan got a team-high eight rebounds from N. Scott.
» With 21 points, Farrakhan was responsible for 43.8% of all points by EMU, the highest percentage by one player for Eastern in a game this season. In addition, the New Jersey native shot 9-of-17 (52.9%) from the field and 2-of-5 (40%) from long range. His performance against Akron marked his seventh outing hitting 50%-or-more of his shots and fourth hitting at least nine shots from the field.
» The Eagles forced Akron into 12 turnovers while committing 11. For Eastern Michigan, this marked the third Mid-American Conference battle in which it has won the turnover battle. Additionally, the Green and White took advantage of the Zips' errors, scoring 15 points off of turnovers. Moreover, Eastern forced Akron's Enrique Freeman to commit four turnovers, tied for the most in a single game by the sophomore.
» Eastern was cold from three-point land, knocking down just 4-of-22 (18.2%) from deep. The team's percentage from beyond-the-arc was the third-worst of the season (3-of 24 vs. Kent State, Jan. 18; 1-of-11 at Valparaiso, Dec. 20). Additionally, Farrakhan was the only Eagle to connect on multiple makes in the contest (2). The Eagles have recorded four-or-less triples seven times so far in the 2021-2022 campaign.
» N. Scott hauled in eight rebounds, the sixth time the senior has grabbed eight-or-more boards. The transfer currently leads the team in total rebounds with 146, making up 15.7% (146-of-928) of Eastern's overall production, and has the highest rebound per game average on the team at 5.6. Additionally, the forward has hauled in 21 offensive boards this season, the third-best mark on the squad.
Historical Notes
» Farrakhan scored 21 points to pass EMU Darryl Garrett (358) with 365 points so far this season. Farrakhan sits fourth all-time in freshman scoring and is just the fifth freshman in the 21st century to make the list. The guard is on pace to score 429 points by the end of the regular season. The point total would place him second all-time behind James Thompson IV (490). The freshman needs 11 points to move into third and pass Earl Boykins (375).
Up Next
Eastern Michigan stays at home to host the Northern Illinois Huskies on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN3 and fans can tune in to WEMU 89.1 FM for listening.
