Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
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Georgia State
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Eastern Downs Georgia State, 71-49, in Season Opener
11/3/2025 8:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Mo Habhab had 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
Photo Gallery | Postgame Interview
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Sparked by an impressive 15-point, 16-rebound performance from Mo Habhab, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team won, 71-49 over Georgia State University Monday, Nov. 3, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
In addition to his 15 points and 16 rebounds, Habhab's (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn/Central Michigan) standout performance included four assists and two blocks in a game that Eastern led for more than 32 minutes.
Carlos Hart (Miami, Fla./North Miami/Benedict College/South Georgia State/New Orleans/Valdosta State) added 14 points and eight rebounds and Addison Patterson (Mississauga, Ontario/Bella Vista/Oregon/Nevada/Salt Lake CC/Tallahassee State/Northwestern State) chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Eastern also got 12 points and five rebounds from Mak Manciel (Detroit, Mich./Stevenson/Henry Ford CC/Arkansas State/Detroit Mercy) over 14 minutes of action.
The game was part of the Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Challenge.
How It Happened
After Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep (Md.)) scored the game's first basket, Georgia State responded with a three-pointer on the other end before taking its largest lead of the game at 14-11 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.
Eastern scored the game's next 10 points as part of a 19-4 run to take a commanding 30-18 lead. The Eagles settled for a 32-23 halftime lead.
A Panthers bucket to start the second half was as close as the visitors would get the rest of the way.
The teams traded buckets over the next 13 minutes prior to a 14-0 Eastern run, which saw EMU keep GSU off the scoreboard for 6:10.
A jump hook from Merritt Alderink (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland West/Indiana State) put the cap on a 22-point victory for Eastern.
Game Notes
» Eastern was 31-of-73 (42.5%) from the field and 3-of-11 (27.3%) from the three-point line while Georgia State was 17-of-58 (29.3%) from the floor and 7-of-23 (30.4%) from three-point range.
» GSU's 29.3% field goal percentage was the lowest by an opponent since Kent State shot 25.6%, Jan. 18, 2022.
» The 17 made field goals by Georgia State were the fewest by an opponent since IU Indy made 16, Nov. 14, 2024.
» Eastern outrebounded Georgia State, 53-38.
» EMU's 53 rebounds are its most since recording 58 against Florida International, Dec. 11, 2021, in four overtimes. The Green and White last had 53 boards in regulation, Dec. 22, 2016, against Maryville (60). Prior to Monday, Eastern has not had 53 rebounds in regulation against a Division I team since at least the 2008-09 season.
» The Eagles had 22 offensive rebounds, their most since recording 22 against Northwood, Dec. 30, 2023. Eastern last had 22 offensive boards against a Division I team, Nov. 24, 2018, against Detroit Mercy (23).
» With Mo Habhab's 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, he is the first player in the MAC to record that stat line or since Nov. 22, 2003, when Northern Illinois' Marcus Smallwood had 17 points, 21 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks. There were eight performances that matched or were better than Habhab's in the NCAA in the 2024-25 season.
» Mo Habhab's 15-point, 15-rebound performance is the first by an Eagle since James Thompson IV had 20 points and 23 rebounds, March 5, 2019, against Ball State. There were five such performances by MAC players in the 2024-25 season.
» Mo Habhab is the first Eagle to record 16 rebounds in one game since Boubacar Toure had 17 against Akron, Jan. 4, 2020. Toure is also the last Eagle with at least eight offensive rebounds in one game, grabbing nine against Michigan-Dearborn, Nov. 14, 2019. James Thompson IV's 11 offensive rebounds against Ball State, Jan. 8, 2019, mark the last time an Eagle had at least eight against a Division I foe.
» Carlos Hart's +26 plus-minus was the best mark of any player as all 13 players that played for EMU had a positive plus-minus while all 11 Panthers that played had a negative plus-minus.
Historical Notes
» Eastern earned its first win against Georgia State and trails in the series, 2-1.
» The Eagles improved 3-2 all-time in the MAC-SBC Challenge, including a 3-0 mark at home.
» EMU's 22-point marks its largest win in a season opener since topping Siena Heights, 93-51, Nov. 8, 2019. It also is EMU's first win by at least 22 in a season opener against a Division I team since Nov. 15, 1997, when EMU beat Drake, 86-58.
» The 49 points allowed are EMU's fewest in a season opener since beating Albion, 77-45, Nov. 9, 2013. EMU last gave up 49 points in a season opener against a Division I team, Nov. 29, 1982, when it allowed just 47 points to Green Bay.
Up Next
» Eastern travels to play the University of Pittsburgh Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m.
