Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, January 21
Ypsilanti, Mich.
6:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
9-9,3-3MAC
94
vs
87
Ohio
10-8,4-2MAC
1
2
F
Ohio
35
52
87
Eastern Mich.
50
44
94
Photo by: Alex Paslawski
Eastern Blitzes MAC Preseason Favorite Ohio, 94-87
1/21/2025 9:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Four Eagles score 15-plus points in the victory
Cinmeatic Highlights | Postgame Interview
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team put together a stellar offensive showcase en route to topping Mid-American Conference preseason favorite Ohio University, 94-87, Tuesday, Jan. 21, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Eastern used a 50-point first half to build a 15-point halftime lead as Da'Sean Nelson (Toledo, Ohio/Robert S. Rogers/Kilgore College/DePaul) finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Jalen Terry (Flint, Mich. Beecher/Oregon/DePaul) had 17 points, seven assists, and four assists in a performance while Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia/Dream City Christian) scored 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half, while adding three steals and five rebounds.
Christian Henry (Chicago, Ill./The Skill Factory/Panola College) rounded out Eastern's top performers with 18 points.
How it Happened
Eastern started hot from the floor, putting in four of its first six attempts from three-point range to open up an 18-11 lead through six and a half minutes.
Ohio fought back with a quick 5-0 spurt before the Eagles continued their impressive shooting display, building their largest lead of the half at 47-31 prior to closing the half ahead 50-35.
A 7-0 run early in the second frame translated into Eastern's largest lead of the contest at 65-44 with 15 minutes remaining.
Ohio came within 14 on three different occasions in the next nine minutes before a dunk at the 5:20 mark drew OU to within 10 at 80-70. The Bobcats continued their late surge, coming as close as 88-83 with 51 seconds to play.
Despite being unable to cross half-court in the required 10 seconds three times in the closing minutes, Eastern iced the game in conventional fashion, converting six free throws in the final 50 seconds.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in the MAC while Ohio dropped to 10-8 overall and 4-2 in conference action.
» Eastern Michigan was 35-of-58 (60.3%) from the floor and 10-of-17 (58.8%) from three-point range while Ohio was 33-of-62 (53.2%) from the field and 6-of-23 (26.1%) from deep. The 60.3 percent feat is the best the Eagles have shot in a game this season, breaking the previous best of 56.9 percent (29-of-51) against Houston Christian, Nov. 25. It is the best they have shot in any game since they were 63.6 percent (28-of-44) at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21, 2023, and their best tally against a MAC opponent since shooting 68.5 percent (34-for-50) in a 91-85 home win over Toledo, Feb. 20, 2016.
» Eastern's robust 10-of-17 (58.8%) shooting mark from three-point range is the third-best in program history (minimum 10 makes), topping only by a 65 percent showing against Central Michigan, Jan. 6, 2016, and a program-record 68.8 percent effort against Toledo, Feb. 20, 2016.
» Making 10 three-pointers in the contest, it is the second consecutive game in which the Eagles have made 10 shots from beyond-the-arc. The last time Eastern Michigan had consecutive games with 10 or more three-pointers was Jan. 31, and Feb. 3, 2023, in a win against Ohio and an overtime loss to Ball State. Those games also marked the last time the Eagles shot 50 percent from three-point range while making 10 of them in consecutive games.
» Osojnik's 16 points matched his season high set at Bowling Green, Jan. 18, and Oakland, Nov. 21. He made four three-pointers in each of his 16-point efforts this season. Osojnik has eight career games with at least four made triples. The Slovenian native netted at least 15 points in back-to-back contests for the first time in his career.
» With his 21-point, showing Nelson has 14-straight games with at least 10 points for the first time in his career. Overall, Nelson has 42 career games in double figures. Nelson was an impressive 9-of-14 from the floor.
» With his 17 points, Terry has 12 games in double figures this season and 36 such games in his career. Terry was a solid 6-for-10 from the field while going 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
» With two made three-pointers, Henry has converted at least one three-pointer in each of the last 13 games. In addition, Henry went 6-for-6 from the line. The six free throws ties a season-high done two other times.
» Trey Pettigrew (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy/Nevada) made his second straight start, scoring eight points and connecting on all three of his shots from the field. The eight points are career-high for the Chicago native.
» Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep) made his second-straight start, scoring Eastern's first points on an alley-oop slam.
» Eastern's 28 bench points are a season high, topping its mark of 26 bench points, set in its last game at Bowling Green, Jan. 18.
» The Eagles held a 33-24 advantage on the glass, moving to 8-1 when recording the same or more rebounds than their opponent this season.
» Eastern Michigan as a team finished the contest with 19 assists. It is the first time in any Mid-American conference game in which the Eagles have recorded 19 assists since Jan. 12, 2019, in a 95-61 home win over Kent State.
» Of Eastern's 19 assists, Terry and Nelson had six and seven of them. It is the first time in which the Eagles had two players record at least six assists in a game since Jan. 6, 2024, when Tyson Acuff and Legend Geeter had seven and six assists in a 71-69 home win over Kent State.
Historical Notes
» EMU moved to 28-55 against Ohio as the Eagles won back-to-back games in Ypsilanti against the Bobcats for the first time since a three-game streak from 2008-12. Eastern also broke the 19-19 tie on games played between the teams in Ypsilanti, now holding a 20-19 edge in games played at EMU.
» Eastern's 94 points are its most since netting 97 at Buffalo, Feb. 7, 2023.
» Nelson (21), Henry (18), Terry (17), and Henry (16) all surpassed 15 points, marking the first time Eastern has had four players net at least 15 points since Nov. 21, 2021, against Illinois State.
» Eastern, which hit 10 threes against Ohio, has now hit at least one triple in 631-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 53-straight contests, not having done so most recently in a 1-for-15 performance against Akron, Feb.14, 2023. Dating back to the final game of the 2023-24 season, EMU has 19 consecutive games with at least five made three-pointers, the Eagles' longest streak since at least the 2008-09 season.
Next Up
Eastern Michigan hosts the University at Buffalo for a 2 p.m. game Saturday, Jan. 25, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Eastern is seeking three-straight MAC wins for the first time since the 2019-20 season, when they won three straight conference games at Central Michigan, Feb. 11, 2020, and home wins against Western Michigan and Kent State, Feb. 15, and Feb. 18, 2020.
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).
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team put together a stellar offensive showcase en route to topping Mid-American Conference preseason favorite Ohio University, 94-87, Tuesday, Jan. 21, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Eastern used a 50-point first half to build a 15-point halftime lead as Da'Sean Nelson (Toledo, Ohio/Robert S. Rogers/Kilgore College/DePaul) finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block. Jalen Terry (Flint, Mich. Beecher/Oregon/DePaul) had 17 points, seven assists, and four assists in a performance while Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia/Dream City Christian) scored 16 points, 14 of which came in the first half, while adding three steals and five rebounds.
Christian Henry (Chicago, Ill./The Skill Factory/Panola College) rounded out Eastern's top performers with 18 points.
How it Happened
Eastern started hot from the floor, putting in four of its first six attempts from three-point range to open up an 18-11 lead through six and a half minutes.
Ohio fought back with a quick 5-0 spurt before the Eagles continued their impressive shooting display, building their largest lead of the half at 47-31 prior to closing the half ahead 50-35.
A 7-0 run early in the second frame translated into Eastern's largest lead of the contest at 65-44 with 15 minutes remaining.
Ohio came within 14 on three different occasions in the next nine minutes before a dunk at the 5:20 mark drew OU to within 10 at 80-70. The Bobcats continued their late surge, coming as close as 88-83 with 51 seconds to play.
Despite being unable to cross half-court in the required 10 seconds three times in the closing minutes, Eastern iced the game in conventional fashion, converting six free throws in the final 50 seconds.
Game Notes
» Eastern moved to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in the MAC while Ohio dropped to 10-8 overall and 4-2 in conference action.
» Eastern Michigan was 35-of-58 (60.3%) from the floor and 10-of-17 (58.8%) from three-point range while Ohio was 33-of-62 (53.2%) from the field and 6-of-23 (26.1%) from deep. The 60.3 percent feat is the best the Eagles have shot in a game this season, breaking the previous best of 56.9 percent (29-of-51) against Houston Christian, Nov. 25. It is the best they have shot in any game since they were 63.6 percent (28-of-44) at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21, 2023, and their best tally against a MAC opponent since shooting 68.5 percent (34-for-50) in a 91-85 home win over Toledo, Feb. 20, 2016.
» Eastern's robust 10-of-17 (58.8%) shooting mark from three-point range is the third-best in program history (minimum 10 makes), topping only by a 65 percent showing against Central Michigan, Jan. 6, 2016, and a program-record 68.8 percent effort against Toledo, Feb. 20, 2016.
» Making 10 three-pointers in the contest, it is the second consecutive game in which the Eagles have made 10 shots from beyond-the-arc. The last time Eastern Michigan had consecutive games with 10 or more three-pointers was Jan. 31, and Feb. 3, 2023, in a win against Ohio and an overtime loss to Ball State. Those games also marked the last time the Eagles shot 50 percent from three-point range while making 10 of them in consecutive games.
» Osojnik's 16 points matched his season high set at Bowling Green, Jan. 18, and Oakland, Nov. 21. He made four three-pointers in each of his 16-point efforts this season. Osojnik has eight career games with at least four made triples. The Slovenian native netted at least 15 points in back-to-back contests for the first time in his career.
» With his 21-point, showing Nelson has 14-straight games with at least 10 points for the first time in his career. Overall, Nelson has 42 career games in double figures. Nelson was an impressive 9-of-14 from the floor.
» With his 17 points, Terry has 12 games in double figures this season and 36 such games in his career. Terry was a solid 6-for-10 from the field while going 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
» With two made three-pointers, Henry has converted at least one three-pointer in each of the last 13 games. In addition, Henry went 6-for-6 from the line. The six free throws ties a season-high done two other times.
» Trey Pettigrew (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy/Nevada) made his second straight start, scoring eight points and connecting on all three of his shots from the field. The eight points are career-high for the Chicago native.
» Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep) made his second-straight start, scoring Eastern's first points on an alley-oop slam.
» Eastern's 28 bench points are a season high, topping its mark of 26 bench points, set in its last game at Bowling Green, Jan. 18.
» The Eagles held a 33-24 advantage on the glass, moving to 8-1 when recording the same or more rebounds than their opponent this season.
» Eastern Michigan as a team finished the contest with 19 assists. It is the first time in any Mid-American conference game in which the Eagles have recorded 19 assists since Jan. 12, 2019, in a 95-61 home win over Kent State.
» Of Eastern's 19 assists, Terry and Nelson had six and seven of them. It is the first time in which the Eagles had two players record at least six assists in a game since Jan. 6, 2024, when Tyson Acuff and Legend Geeter had seven and six assists in a 71-69 home win over Kent State.
Historical Notes
» EMU moved to 28-55 against Ohio as the Eagles won back-to-back games in Ypsilanti against the Bobcats for the first time since a three-game streak from 2008-12. Eastern also broke the 19-19 tie on games played between the teams in Ypsilanti, now holding a 20-19 edge in games played at EMU.
» Eastern's 94 points are its most since netting 97 at Buffalo, Feb. 7, 2023.
» Nelson (21), Henry (18), Terry (17), and Henry (16) all surpassed 15 points, marking the first time Eastern has had four players net at least 15 points since Nov. 21, 2021, against Illinois State.
» Eastern, which hit 10 threes against Ohio, has now hit at least one triple in 631-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 53-straight contests, not having done so most recently in a 1-for-15 performance against Akron, Feb.14, 2023. Dating back to the final game of the 2023-24 season, EMU has 19 consecutive games with at least five made three-pointers, the Eagles' longest streak since at least the 2008-09 season.
Next Up
Eastern Michigan hosts the University at Buffalo for a 2 p.m. game Saturday, Jan. 25, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Eastern is seeking three-straight MAC wins for the first time since the 2019-20 season, when they won three straight conference games at Central Michigan, Feb. 11, 2020, and home wins against Western Michigan and Kent State, Feb. 15, and Feb. 18, 2020.
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).
Team Stats
Ohio
EMU
FG%
.532
.603
3FG%
.261
.588
FT%
.682
.824
RB
24
33
TO
10
15
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
9
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballBen Braun Video at MAC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Friday, May 30
Ben Braun at MAC Hall of Fame Induction
Friday, May 30
Charles E. Ramsey - MAC Hall of Fame Induction of Ben Braun
Friday, May 30
Jack Brusewitz - MAC Hall of Fame Induction of Ben Braun
Friday, May 30