Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
11-16,4-10MAC
Ball State
13-14,5-9MAC
EMU Edges Ball State on the Road, 58-56
2/24/2024 4:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Osojnik nets key three with 25 seconds left
MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team won, 58-56, at Ball State University Saturday, Feb. 24, inside Worthen Arena as freshman Arne Osojnik netted a key three-pointer with 25 seconds left to play. Osojnik's (Ljubljana, Slovenia/Dream City Christian (Ariz.)) three extended EMU's advantage to 57-53.
Junior Tyson Acuff (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical/Duquesne) led the Eagles with 19 points while junior Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East/Georgetown) poured in a career-high 17 points with six rebounds as the Eagles limited the Cardinals to 34.5% from the field.
How It Happened
The Eagles took an early 10-4 lead before ultimately entering halftime down, 27-26.
Ball State held its largest lead of the contest at 49-43 with 8:14 to play before a 7-0 run, highlighted by a Billingsley three-pointer, gave the Eagles their first lead since the 18:47 mark of the second half.
The Cardinals scored the game's next four points to lead 53-50 but EMU launched a second 7-0 run to lead, 57-53. Osojnik drilled a triple with 25 seconds to play to give the Eagles control.
Trailing by two, BSU had possession with 3.3 seconds to play but was unable to convert an attempt from half-court.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 11-16 overall and 4-10 in MAC play while Ball State moved to 13-14 overall and 5-9 in the MAC.
» Eastern Michigan was 23-of-58 (39.7%) from the floor and 5-of-18 (27.8%) from three-point range while Ball State was 19-of-55 (34.5%) from the field and 5-of-25 (20.0%) from deep.
» The Eagles held their opponent under 35% from the field for the fifth time this season, most recently doing so against Bowling Green State University, Feb. 17.
» Acuff scored 19 points, marking his 29th-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 ranked 32nd in EMU history with 997 points as an Eagle.
» Acuff, who entered the game ranking third in the nation at 38.2 minutes per game, played the entirety of the game for the 10th time this season.
» Billingsley's 17 points topped his previous career high of 16 scored against Wayne State University, Nov. 7, 2022.
» Redshirt junior Connor Serven (Prairie City, Ill./St. Rita/Illinois) recorded his third-straight start, scoring three points while adding eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals. The game marks his first career game with multiple blocks and third career game with multiple steals. His eight rebounds fall one short of his career high of nine set at the University at Buffalo, Feb. 20.
» EMU, which trailed 27-26, recorded its third win of the season when trailing at the half. The Eagles came back from a 12-point deficit against Kent State University, Jan. 6, and a three-point deficit against Cleveland State University, Nov. 18.
» Eastern outrebounded Ball State, 42-35, moving to 9-3 when outrebounding its opponent.
» EMU improved to 6-3 in games decided by four points or less.
» The Eagles limited Ball State to 56 points, jumping to 10-1 when holding their opponent to 71 points or less.
» Eastern, which hit five threes against Ball State, has now hit at least one triple in 609-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 32-straight contests, not having done so most recently in a 1-for-15 performance against the University of Akron, Feb.14, 2023.
Historical Notes
» Saturday's meeting was the 117th all-time between Eastern Michigan and Ball State. EMU trails in the series, 71-46. EMU had lost four-straight games in Muncie entering Saturday's contest. The Eagles secured their first win in regulation in Muncie since a 67-60 win, March 3, 2015. The Eagles won, 84-82 in double overtime, Jan. 8, 2019.
» 56 points allowed to Ball State are the fewest the Eagles have given up to the Cardinals since a 58-41 win, Feb. 3, 2018 in Ypsilanti and the fewest in Muncie since a 56-50 win, Feb. 16, 2013.
Next Up
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Western Michigan University, Feb. 27, for a 7 p.m. tip inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
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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).
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