Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
1-2,0-0MAC
Florida Atlantic
2-0,0-0AAC
Eastern Michigan Downed at #10 Florida Atlantic
11/14/2023 9:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EMU hosting Cleveland State Saturday, Nov. 18
Photo Gallery.
BOCA RATON, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team was topped by Florida Atlantic University, 100-57, Tuesday, Nov. 14, in front of a raucous FAU school-record 3,161 fans at Abessinio Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena in the Owls' home opener after making the Final Four in 2023.
Junior Tyson Acuff (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical/Duquesne) scored 20 points for EMU to lead the way while redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter (River Rouge, Mich./River Rouge/Providence) was an efficient 6-for-7 from the floor, equaling his career high with 13 points.
How It Happened
Eastern Michigan struggled out of the gate, falling behind 51-28 heading into halftime.
Eastern Michigan could not pull any closer in the second half, losing by a final of 100-57. The Green and White made the most of three offensive rebounds to tack on six second chance points out of 29 total in the period.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 1-2 on the season while Florida Atlantic moved to 2-0.
» Eastern Michigan was 23-of-54 (42.6%) from the floor and 2-of-15 (13.3%) from three-point range while Florida Atlantic was 40-of-64 (62.5%) from the floor and 13-of-25 (52.0%) from three-point range.
» Geeter matched his career high with 13 points, which he scored at Illinois State University, Dec. 7, 2022.
» Acuff scored 20 points, netting 13-plus points in each game this season after scoring 15 points against Georgia Southern, Nov. 11, and 13 points against Butler, Nov. 6. Acuff has scored 20-plus points in a game five times in his career.
» Acuff has a pair of milestones on the horizon as the transfer from Duquesne sits at 93 career three-point makes and 715 career points after converting one three-pointer and scoring 20 points against FAU. Acuff netted 38 three-pointers and 239 points in his two seasons at Duquesne.
» Sophomore Cyril Martynov (Barrie, Ontario/Lawrenceville School/Georgia Tech) scored a career-high five points.
» Junior Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East/Georgetown) made his first start of the season, scoring two points. EMU has utilized three different lineups this season.
» Junior Julius Ellerbe (Fort Washington, Md./VA Beach Sports Academy/East Central CC) converted his first field goal as an Eagle, a driving lay-up through traffic with 1:44 left in the first half.
» Redshirt freshman Derik Pranger (Parker, Colo./Colorado Prep) saw his first action of the season, playing four minutes.
» Eastern, which hit two threes against Florida Atlantic, has now hit at least one triple in 545-straight games. EMU last failed to score from downtown Jan. 24, 2004, when Miami University held the Eagles to 0-of-7 from behind the arc.
Historical Notes
» Tuesday's meeting was the second-ever game between Eastern Michigan and Florida Atlantic. The Owls lead the all-time series, 2-0.
Next Up
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Cleveland State University in a 1 p.m. start Saturday, Nov. 18. EMU will be honoring Ben Braun as part of Legacy Day as the court inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center will be renamed in his honor.
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