Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
10-16,3-10MAC
Buffalo
4-22,2-11MAC
EMU Drops Road Contest at Buffalo
2/20/2024 9:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Acuff nets 26 points as four Eagles reach double figures
AMHERST, N.Y. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team dropped a 78-69 Mid-American Conference decision at the University at Buffalo Tuesday, Feb. 20, inside Alumni Arena.
Junior Tyson Acuff (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical/Duquesne) scored 26 points as the Eagles trailed for more than 33 minutes in the contest.
How It Happened
Buffalo led by as many as five in the opening as the Eagles managed a 33-31 halftime deficit, despite leading for just 1:08 in the opening 20 minutes.
After the Eagles tied the game at 37-37 with 16:21 to play on an Acuff lay-up, the Bulls scored the game's next 11 points to take control.
EMU was able to come within seven at 68-61 with 2:21 to go.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 10-16 overall and 3-10 in MAC play while Buffalo moved to 4-22 overall and 2-11 in the MAC.
» Eastern Michigan was 27-of-66 (40.9%) from the floor and 6-of-18 (33.3%) from three-point range while UB was 29-of-61 (47.5%) from the field and 4-of-19 (21.1%) from deep.
» Acuff scored 26 points, marking his 28th-straight game scoring at least 11 points. Acuff's 28-consecutive games scoring at least 10 points are the most by an EMU player since 2000. Acuff is tied for 36th in EMU history with 978 points as an Eagle.
» Acuff recorded his 13th game with at least 23 points this season. Acuff is one of five players in the nation with 13 contests of 23-plus points. The contest also marks the 15th time in which Acuff recorded 20 or more points in a game this season.
» Acuff, who converted 11 field goals, recorded his 10th game with at least 10 made field goals. Acuff ties Denver University's Tommy Bruner for the nation's lead in the category.
» Freshman Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia/Dream City Christian (Ariz.)) converted a trio of three-pointers. Osojnik, who entered the game as the MAC's leader in points per game among "true" freshmen, tallied his eighth career game with at least three made three-pointers. Osojnik scored 11 points.
» Redshirt junior Connor Serven (Prairie City, Ill./St. Rita/Illinois) recorded his second-straight start, scoring 10 points. The game marks his second career game in double figures as he netted 15 against Kent State University, Jan. 6.
» Serven also pulled in a career-high nine rebounds as he fell just one rebound short of his first career double-double. Serven's previous high in boards was eight against Kent State, Jan. 6. Serven's four offensive rebounds doubled his career high in the category.
» Serven, who was 2-for-3 from three-point range, converted multiple three-pointers for the first time in his career.
» Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy (Detroit, Mich./Summit Academy North) tallied 10 points, marking his 11th game in double figures this season, doing so in five of the last six games.
» EMU had at least four players (Acuff, 26; Osojnik, 11; Lovejoy 10; and Serven, 10) with at least 10 points for the fourth time this season.
» Eastern, which hit six threes against UB, has now hit at least one triple in 608-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. The Eagles have converted multiple three-pointers in 31-straight contests, not having done so most recently in a 1-for-15 performance against the University of Akron, Feb.14, 2023.
Historical Notes
» Tuesday's meeting was the 35th all-time between Eastern Michigan and Buffalo. EMU trails in the series, 21-14. The teams split the season series as the Eagles were victorious, 75-65, Jan. 27 in Ypsilanti.
Next Up
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to travel to Ball State University, Feb. 24, for a 2 p.m. tip inside BSU's Worthen Arena.
Follow Us
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, continue to visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
