Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Heading to Central Michigan for Tuesday Game
1/12/2025 1:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles and Chippewas tipping at 7 p.m. in pivotal MAC contest
| Men's Basketball at Central Michigan | |
| Date | Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. |
| Venue | McGuirk Arena (5,300) | Mt. Pleasant, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- In what figures to be a pivotal game in the Mid-American Conference standings as the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team seeks to qualify for March's MAC Tournament, the Eagles travel to Central Michigan University for a 7 p.m. game Tuesday, Jan. 14.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will air on ESPN+ from McGuirk Arena. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner will have the call live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App. Live stats will also be available on EMUEagles.com.
OPENING TIPS
»After bursting out to an 11-4 lead, Eastern Michigan struggled to limit Akron's offensive attack in the 105-81 loss, Jan. 11. Four Eagles reached double figures, highlighted by junior Christian Henry's fourth 20-point game of the season and sophomore Arne Osojnik's 15 points, one short of his season high.
»EMU rallied back from a 13-point halftime deficit but ultimately dropped a 90-87 decision at Toledo, Jan. 7. The Eagles led, 74-73, with 2:37 left to play before ultimately falling to the Rockets as the Eagles had three players scoring 20-plus points in the same game for the first time since Dec. 6, 2017, as junior Christian Henry (25), senior Jalen Terry (23), and senior Da'Sean Nelson (20) each scored at least 20 points.
»Eastern Michigan, which has four different players to score 28 points in separate games this season, is the only school in the nation to have four different players score 28 points in separate games this season. The Eagles and Texas State are the nation's only teams to have four players with a 27-point showing in the 2024-25 campaign.
»EMU's six wins in games decided by four points or fewer is tied for the most in the nation with Northeastern and Princeton.
»Eastern Michigan has four players averaging at least 11.5-plus points each for the first time since the 1990-91 season.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fourth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 38-70 record at EMU and a 247-277 record over 17 years as a collegiate head coach.
ALL TIME SERIES VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will meet for the 208th time Tuesday, Jan. 14, as CMU leads the all-time series 106-101, which includes a 57-41 advantage in Mount Pleasant.
In the team's most recent meeting, March 8, 2024, the Chippewas won in overtime, 65-62, in a back-and-forth contest that saw CMU burst out to a 24-8 advantage before a 41-14 swing in EMU's favor put Eastern ahead 49-38 before Central tied the game at 55-55 with 1:05 left and ultimately won in overtime.
The teams also met in Ypsilanti, Jan. 9, 2024, as the Chippewas shot a blistering 11-of-17 from three-point range to upend Eastern, 80-64.
After scoring 99 points, Feb. 15, 2022, the Eagles have gone three-straight games against CMU without scoring 65 or more points.
RETURN OF JAY (AND COOPER) SMITH
Eastern Michigan Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development Jay Smith returns to Mount Pleasant, as well as his son and EMU senior Cooper Smith.
Smith was Head Coach of Central Michigan from 1997-2006. His time at the helm of the program was highlighted by 2001 and 2003 MAC Championships.
The Smiths also returned to CMU Dec. 18, 2010 (W, 75-49), and Dec. 23, 2008 (W, 67-55) while Jay was an assistant coach at the University of Detroit Mercy.
80+ POINTS IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES/LOSSES
After a 90-87 loss at Toledo, Jan. 7, and a 105-81 loss to Akron, Jan. 11, Eastern has scored at least 80 points in back-to-back games for the first time since a three-game streak in the 2022-23 season. That streak also marks the first time Eastern has lost back-to-back games when scoring 80-plus points.
Last time with three-straight games with 80-plus points:
Date Against Result
Jan. 31, 2023 Ohio W, 90-79
Feb. 3, 2023 at Ball State L, 90-91
Feb. 7, 2023 at Buffalo L, 97-102
If Eastern scores 80 points or more and loses at Central Michigan, Jan. 14, it would be the first time for three-straight EMU outings with 80-plus points while losing since the 1971-72 season.
Last time with three-straight games with 80-plus points, loss:
Date Against Result
Dec. 1, 1971 at Toledo L, 82-87
Dec. 4, 1971 at Purdue L, 84-94
Dec. 7, 1971 at Michigan L, 88-89
90+ POINTS ALLOWED IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES
After a 90-87 loss at Toledo, Jan. 7, and a 105-81 loss to Akron, Jan. 11, Eastern has allowed at least 90 points in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
Last time with back-to-back games with 90-plus points allowed:
Date Against Result
Feb. 2, 2023 at Ball State L, 90-91
Feb. 7, 2023 at Buffalo L, 97-102
If Eastern allows 90 points or more at Central Michigan, Jan. 14, it would be the first time for three-straight EMU outings with 90-plus points since the 2001-02 season.
Last time with three-straight games with 90-plus points allowed:
Date Against Result
Feb. 2, 2002 at Ball State L, 56-90
Feb. 6, 2002 at Western Mich. L, 94-101
Feb. 9, 2002 at Northern Ill. L, 85-90
If Eastern allows 100 points or more at Central Michigan, Jan. 14, it would be the first time for three-straight EMU outings with 100-plus points since the 1969-70 season.
Last time with back-to-back games with 100-plus points allowed:
Date Against Result
Feb. 5, 1970 at Hillsdale W, 134-113
Feb. 10, 1970 at Wittenberg L, 80-101
ARNE OSOJNIK'S 15 POINTS VS. AKRON
Sophomore Arne Osojnik netted 15 points against Akron, Jan. 11, in his best offensive since a 16-point showing at Oakland, Nov. 21. Osojnik knocked down a trio of three-pointers against the Zips while continuing his free throw shooting prowess by making his two attempts for a 17-of-18 (94.4%) mark this season.
J-BILL: FOURTH IN MAC SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
Senior Jalin Billingsley ranks fourth in the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 70-for-127 (.551). He tops the MAC in shooting percentage among players with 100 field goal attempts or more.
THREE PLAYERS WITH 20+ POINTS AT TOLEDO
Against Toledo, Jan. 7, the Eagles had three players scoring 20-plus points in the same game for the first time since Dec. 6, 2017, as junior Christian Henry (25), senior Jalen Terry (23), and senior Da'Sean Nelson (20).
In the Dec. 6, 2017, game against Oakland, Paul Jackson, Elijah Minnie, and James Thompson IV all netted 24 points in the 95-89 win.
10 MADE THREE-POINTERS AT TOLEDO
Against Toledo, Jan. 7, EMU was 10-for-23 (43.5%) from three-point range. It marked EMU's third game with at least 10 made three-pointers this season (10 at IU Indy, Nov. 16; 11 vs. Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30).
The .435 shooting clip from distance is Eastern's best three-point percentage in a game since going 13-for-29 (44.8%) at Louisiana-Monroe, Feb. 10, 2024.
CHRISTIAN HENRY BUZZER-BEATING THREES
Junior Christian Henry drilled a pair of three-pointers at the buzzer at Toledo, Jan. 7. His first was a deep three from the wing to close out the first half while his second was from half court at the final horn.
DA'SEAN NELSON CAREER-HIGH 32 POINTS
Senior Da'Sean Nelson netted a career-high 32 points to go with nine rebounds in the win over Northern Illinois, Jan. 4. Nelson, who scored 16 points in each half, also set a career high with 12 made field goals.
DA'SEAN NELSON 10+ POINTS IN 10-STRAIGHT
After scoring 20 points against Toledo, Jan. 7, senior Da'Sean Nelson has 10-straight games with at least 10 points for the first time in his career.
With 16 regular-season games remaining, Nelson would need the Eagles to qualify for the MAC Tournament to have the opportunity to top Tyson Acuff's 27-game double-digit scoring streak from the 2023-24 season.
DA'SEAN NELSON MAC POTW (x3)
Senior Da'Sean Nelson, who was named MAC Player of the Week Dec. 2 and Dec. 23, won his third conference weekly honor of the season after an impressive 32-point, nine-rebound showing against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4.
By earning the recognition for the third time, Nelson is the first player in the MAC to accomplish that feat since former Akron Zip and current Indiana Pacer Enrique Freeman earned the honor eight times in 2023-24.
CHRISTIAN HENRY'S NINE ASSISTS
Junior Christian Henry dished out a career-high nine assists against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4, the top mark by an Eagle since Paul Jackson had 10, Jan. 26, 2019, against Western Michigan.
ONLY SCHOOL WITH 28+ POINTS (x4)
With senior Da'Sean Nelson's 32 points against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4, junior Christian Henry's 28-point showing against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30, senior Jalen Terry's 28 points against IU Indy, Nov. 14, and senior Jalin Billingsley's 32 points against Siena Heights, Nov. 8, Eastern Michigan is the only team in the nation with four different players reaching 28 points this season.
Different Players Scoring 28+ Points:
1. Eastern Michigan 4
Texas State is the only other team in the nation to have four players with a 27-point showing.
In total, 410 different players have scored at least 27 points in a single game nationally while 320 different players have a 28-point performance this season.
SUCCESS IN CLOSE GAMES - NATIONAL LEADER
After junior Christian Henry swished in a half-court shot at the buzzer of the game at Toledo, Jan. 7, to cut the margin to three points, Eastern moved to 6-1 in games decided by four points or less. Eastern's six wins by four or fewer tied for the most in the nation with Northeastern and Princeton. The trend has continued from the 2023-24 season when the Eagles were 8-3 in games decided by four points or less.
Wins by Four Points or Less:
T1. Eastern Michigan 6
T1. Northeastern 6
T1. Princeton 6
T4. Nicholls 5
T4. UC-Riverside 5
T4. UNC 5
FOUR EAGLES AVERAGING 11.5+ POINTS
Eastern has four players averaging 11.5 points for the first time since 1990-91.
Player PPG 2024-25
Da'Sean Nelson 16.0
Jalen Terry 15.5
Christian Henry 14.4
Jalin Billingsley 11.6
Player PPG 1990-91
Marcus Kennedy 20.0
Carl Thomas 14.1
Lorenzo Neely 11.6
Kory Hallas 11.5
Eastern is the only team in the MAC with four players averaging at least 11.5 points per game.
DOUBLE-DIGIT ASSISTS
Eastern Michigan has 14 consecutive games with at least 10 assists for the first time since an 18-game streak extending from the final game of the 2009-10 season through the first 17 games of the 2010-11 season.
The Eagles originally had just seven assists against Toledo, Jan. 7, but that number was upped to 10 after UT completed its stats corrections.
JALEN TERRY, A BIT OF EVERYTHING
Senior Jalen Terry is averaging 15.5 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, and 3.3 assists per game.
If Terry were to finish with those numbers, you would be the only player in program history to achieve those marks in a single season since assists became an official stat (1976-77).
Adding in his 1.5 steals per game, Terry is one of just 12 players nationally to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals.
JALEN TERRY MAC MINUTES LEADER
Senior Jalen Terry leads the MAC in minutes, averaging 36.9 minutes per game.
National Minutes Leaders:
1. Bennett Stiritz (Drake) 38.1
2. Gibson Jimerson (SLU) 37.2
3. Johnathan Lawson (UALR) 36.9
4. Jalen Terry (EMU) 36.9
With former Eagle Tyson Acuff ranking fourth in the nation in minutes per game at 37.9 in 2023-24, EMU is the first school since Stony Brook (2021-23) to have different players rank inside the top six in minutes nationally in different seasons.
JALEN TERRY REBOUNDING AT 6-FEET TALL
Despite standing at 6-feet-0, senior Jalen Terry is averaging 5.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 20th in the MAC. Terry ranks 11th in the MAC in defensive rebounds per game at 4.4.
JT 25+ POINTS, 6+ THREE-POINTERS
Senior Jalen Terry posted back-to-back games with at least 25 points and six made three-pointers at IU Indy, Nov. 14, and at Cleveland State, Nov. 16. He is one of five MAC players to accomplish that feat and the first to do so since Jordan Dartis for Ohio University in 2019.
MAC Players With 25 Points AND Six Three-Pointers in CONSECUTIVE Games (Since 2002-03):
MOH Michael Bramos 4 Dec. 3-13, 2008
EMU Jalen Terry 2 Nov. 14-16, 2024
OU Jordan Dartis 2 Nov. 24-30, 2019
CMU Marcus Keene 2 (x2) Dec. 3-6, 2016; Jan. 17-21, 2017
BSU Skip Mills 2 March 4-6, 2006
Terry is one of just five Eagles since 2002-03 to record multiple games with at least 25 points and six made three-pointers in a season. If he can accomplish the feat again, he would be the first in that time frame to record three such games in one season.
EMU Players With 25 Points AND Six Three-Pointers TOTAL Games in One Season (Since 2002-03):
Jalen Terry 2 2024-25
Tyson Acuff 2 2022-23
Emoni Bates 2 2022-23
Elijah Minnie 2 2018-19
Willie Mangum 2 2016-17
Terry was also the first Eagle since Carlos Medlock, Feb. 11-15, 2006, to knock down six three-pointers in back-to-back games.
BELOW THE CENTURY MARK
In 377 games at the George Gervin GameAbove Center since opening in 1998-99, only two teams have reached 100 points against the Eagles as 2022-23 Florida Atlantic, which reached the 2023 Final Four, scored 101 at EMU, Dec. 4, 2022. The second team was Akron, Jan. 11, 2025, in a 105-81 EMU loss.
Top Point Totals by Foes at the George Gervin GameAbove Center
Date School Points
Jan. 11, 2025 Akron 105
Dec. 4, 2022 Florida Atlantic 101
Dec. 15, 2024 Purdue Fort Wayne 99
Nov. 30, 2024 Detroit Mercy 98
Nov. 12, 2023 Illinois State 98
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 628-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit nine threes against Akron, Jan. 11, has now hit at least one triple in 628-straight games. EMU last failed to score from downtown Jan. 24, 2004, when Miami held the Eagles to 0-of-7 from behind the arc.
The Eagles have converted at least five three-pointers in 16-consecutive games, dating back to the final game of the 2023-24 season. The 16-game streak is EMU's longest since at least the 2008-09 season.
DOUBLEHEADER DAY
The Eagles are scheduled to play three double-headers with the EMU women's basketball team in 2024-25 with two of the three doubleheaders taking place in Ypsilanti. Both the EMU men's and women's teams play Jan. 11 (both lost vs. Akron), Feb. 15 (men vs. Toledo, women vs. Ball State), and Feb. 22 (Northern Illinois).
The men's team was 5-0 at home in doubleheader games in the 2023-24 season but fell to 0-1 in such games this season after the 105-81 loss to Akron, Jan. 11.
2024-25 PRESEASON ALL-MAC TEAMS
First Team
Payton Sparks, Senior, Center, Ball State
Anthony Pritchard, Senior, Guard, Central Michigan
VonCameron Davis, R-Senior, Forward, Kent State
AJ Clayton, Senior, Forward, Ohio
Javan Simmons, Sophomore, Forward, Toledo
Second Team
Isaiah Gray, Senior, Guard, Akron
Jalen Sullinger, Senior, Guard, Kent State
Shereef Mitchell, Graduate Student, Guard, Ohio
AJ Brown, R-Sophomore, Guard, Ohio
Isaiah Adams, Fifth Year, Guard, Toledo
PRESEASON PICKED NINTH
After finishing 10th in 2023-24, EMU was picked ninth in the MAC preseason coaches' poll.
2024-25 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ohio (11) – 121
2. Akron (1) – 106
3. Kent State – 99
4. Toledo – 95
5. Bowling Green – 73
6. Miami – 72
7. Ball State – 67
8. Central Michigan – 55
9. Eastern Michigan – 36
10. Western Michigan – 33
11. Northern Illinois – 24
12. Buffalo – 11
Tournament Champion: Ohio (8), Kent State (3), Toledo (1)
The six Ohio schools made up the top six while the bottom six is filled with the rest of the MAC schools.
MICHIGAN MATCH-UPS
The Eagles play three in-state opponents in non-conference action with contests against Siena Heights (Nov. 8), Oakland (Nov. 21), and Detroit Mercy (Nov. 30).
NEW FOE, WHO DIS?
The Eagles added competition against three first-time opponents this season; they faced off against Texas State, Nov. 4 (L, 44-64), Houston Christian, Nov. 25 (W, 74-73), and Wright State, Dec. 21 (W, 86-82).
WHO'S BACK??
EMU returns four players from its 2023-24 roster including seniors Jalin Billingsley, Yusuf Jihad, and Micah Schnyders, as well as sophomore Arne Osojnik.
WHO'S GONE??
EMU lost 10 players from its 2023-24 game one roster including Tyson Acuff (Rutgers), Orlando Lovejoy (Detroit Mercy), Legend Geeter (Detroit Mercy), Conner Serven (Virginia Tech), Cyril Martynov (Eastern Kentucky), Julius Ellerbe (Coppin State), John McGriff (transfer portal - no destination), Javantae Randle (Central State), Prakash Ketterhagen (Lourdes), and Andrew Wells (graduation). The Eagles also lost Director of Operations LaMonta Stone (Assistant Coach - Detroit Mercy) and Graduate Assistant Nick Madray (graduation --> Utah Jazz).
WHAT'S GONE??
EMU lost 1,332 of its 2,047 points (65.07%) from the 2023-24 season, most notably leading scorer Tyson Acuff, who averaged 21.7 ppg (8th in the nation) on 43/29/81 shooting splits and transferred to Rutgers.
FRESH FACES
EMU added 11 newcomers to its 2024-25 roster including seniors Jalen Terry (DePaul), Da'Sean Nelson (DePaul), John Shanu II (UTRGV), and Cooper Smith (Michigan), juniors Christian Henry (Panola College), Julian Lewis (Miami), and Trey Pettigrew (Salt Lake CC), and freshmen Mario Brunetto (Classical Gymnasium), Mbaye N'Diaye (SEED Academy), Godslove Nwabude (Zion Prep), and Dillon Tingler (Huntington Prep).
STAYING HOME
Eastern Michigan has just four players (Yusuf Jihad, Farmington Hills; Jalen Terry, Flint; Cooper Smith, Mio; and Julian Lewis, Ypsilanti) from the Mitten State on its 2024-25 roster, EMU's fewest since 2020-21 (four).
INTERNATIONAL INFLUX
International student-athlete representation doubled on the Eagles 15-player roster this season, as they added three true freshmen from Senegal (Mbaye N'Diaye), Nigeria (Godslove Nwabude), and Italy (Mario Brunetto), respectively. The trio joins sophomore Arne Osojnik who represented Slovenia twice as a member of the U18 national team at the Euro Championships. A complete breakdown of the EMU roster can be found on page 11.
Most international true freshmen in the nation:
1. Buffalo - 6
2. Florida Atlantic - 5
t3. Eastern Michigan - 3
Manhattan - 3
Oregon State - 3
San Francisco - 3
Seattle - 3
UT-Martin - 3
Weber State - 3
Most African true freshmen in the nation:
t1. Eastern Michigan - 2
Seton Hall - 2
Osojnik is one of five players from Slovenia in the country.
Slovenian MBB Players at NCAA Division I:
Arne Osojnik - Eastern Michigan
Klemen Vuga - UAPB
Urban Klavzar - Florida
Jan Vide - LMU (Calif.)
Sasa Ciani - UIC
Brunetto is one of 17 Italians players while N'Diaye is one of 32 Senegalese players and Nwabude is one of 38 Nigerian players.
EMONI BATES NBA + G-LEAGUE
Former Eagle Emoni Bates was named a G-League All-Star with the Cleveland Charge in 2023-24, averaging 24.8 ppg. Bates also appeared in 15 games with the Cavaliers during the 2023-24 season. He underwent surgery in early October to repair a torn meniscus and is expected to return to action at some point during the 2024-25 season.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan travels to Bowling Green for a 2 p.m. game Saturday, Jan. 18.
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
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