Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, December 2
Indianapolis, Ind.
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
5-4,0-0MAC
68
at
84
Butler
7-1,0-0Big East
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Eastern Mich.
36
32
68
Butler
41
43
84
Photo by: Scott Beaton - EMU Athletics
Eastern Drops 84-68 Decision at Butler
12/2/2025 9:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Four Eagles scored at least 10 points
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) – Despite knocking off Cincinnati, Nov. 26, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team was unable to secure another Power Conference as four Eagles scored in double figures in EMU's 84-68 loss to Butler University Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Eastern led for 3:19 of the contest, all coming in the first half, against the Bulldogs, who are receiving votes in the National Coaches Poll.
Mohammad Habhab (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn/Central Michigan) led the Eagles with 15 points while Mak Manciel (Detroit, Mich./Stevenson/Detroit Mercy) scored 12 and Carlos Hart (Miami, Fla./North Miami/Valdosta State) and Addison Patterson (Mississauga, Ontario/Bella Vista/Northwestern State) each netted 11.
How It Happened
Butler got off to an early 11-7 advantage before an 8-0 run by the Eagles gave the visitors a 29-25 advantage, its largest of the contest.
The Bulldogs' offense got hot to close the half, scoring 16 points in the last 4:39 to take a 41-36 lead into halftime.
Eastern continued to battle in the second half, cutting the BU advantage to 47-41 after a trio of free throws by Jon Sanders II (Detroit, Mich./Southfield Christian/Northwestern State).
Butler countered with a 12-5 run to take a 59-46 lead with 12:48 to go before a late 9-0 BU run for the hosts put the game out of reach.
Game Notes
» Eastern moves to 5-4 overall while Butler jumps to 7-1 overall.
» Eastern was 24-of-58 (41.4%) from the field and 8-of-14 (57.1%) from the three-point line, while Butler was 29-of-56 (51.8%) from the floor and 11-of-20 (55.0%) from three-point range.
» Mohammad Habhab's 15 points mark his ninth-straight game scoring double-digit points. With Habhab's performances, he is the first Eastern freshman to have nine-straight games with at least 10 points in each game since James Thompson IV had a streak of 13 games in the 2015-16 season.
» Mak Manciel's three made triples mark his 16th career game with at least three made three-pointers. Manciel has done so twice at Eastern, with the other occurrence coming against Oakland, Nov. 21.
» Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep (Md.)) scored seven points and blocked three shots. After his four-block game against NJIT, Nov. 28, and two-block game against Cincinnati, Nov. 26, Nwabude has three-straight games with multiple blocks for the first time in his career.
» Merritt Alderink (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland West/Indiana State) drilled three-pointers in back-to-back possessions, marking his first made triples in an Eagle uniform and the first time in his career that he has made multiple threes in one game.
Historical Notes
» Eastern trails against Butler, 2-0, all-time. The teams first met to open the 2023-24 season.
Up Next
» Eastern hosts Cleary at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The game follows the EMU women's contest against Defiance at 5 p.m.
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).
Eastern led for 3:19 of the contest, all coming in the first half, against the Bulldogs, who are receiving votes in the National Coaches Poll.
Mohammad Habhab (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn/Central Michigan) led the Eagles with 15 points while Mak Manciel (Detroit, Mich./Stevenson/Detroit Mercy) scored 12 and Carlos Hart (Miami, Fla./North Miami/Valdosta State) and Addison Patterson (Mississauga, Ontario/Bella Vista/Northwestern State) each netted 11.
How It Happened
Butler got off to an early 11-7 advantage before an 8-0 run by the Eagles gave the visitors a 29-25 advantage, its largest of the contest.
The Bulldogs' offense got hot to close the half, scoring 16 points in the last 4:39 to take a 41-36 lead into halftime.
Eastern continued to battle in the second half, cutting the BU advantage to 47-41 after a trio of free throws by Jon Sanders II (Detroit, Mich./Southfield Christian/Northwestern State).
Butler countered with a 12-5 run to take a 59-46 lead with 12:48 to go before a late 9-0 BU run for the hosts put the game out of reach.
Game Notes
» Eastern moves to 5-4 overall while Butler jumps to 7-1 overall.
» Eastern was 24-of-58 (41.4%) from the field and 8-of-14 (57.1%) from the three-point line, while Butler was 29-of-56 (51.8%) from the floor and 11-of-20 (55.0%) from three-point range.
» Mohammad Habhab's 15 points mark his ninth-straight game scoring double-digit points. With Habhab's performances, he is the first Eastern freshman to have nine-straight games with at least 10 points in each game since James Thompson IV had a streak of 13 games in the 2015-16 season.
» Mak Manciel's three made triples mark his 16th career game with at least three made three-pointers. Manciel has done so twice at Eastern, with the other occurrence coming against Oakland, Nov. 21.
» Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep (Md.)) scored seven points and blocked three shots. After his four-block game against NJIT, Nov. 28, and two-block game against Cincinnati, Nov. 26, Nwabude has three-straight games with multiple blocks for the first time in his career.
» Merritt Alderink (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland West/Indiana State) drilled three-pointers in back-to-back possessions, marking his first made triples in an Eagle uniform and the first time in his career that he has made multiple threes in one game.
Historical Notes
» Eastern trails against Butler, 2-0, all-time. The teams first met to open the 2023-24 season.
Up Next
» Eastern hosts Cleary at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The game follows the EMU women's contest against Defiance at 5 p.m.
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).
Team Stats
EMU
Butler
FG%
.414
.518
3FG%
.571
.550
FT%
.923
.789
RB
26
36
TO
11
10
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballBilly Donlon Introductory Press Conference
Thursday, March 26
Bringing the Energy! Thank You to the Crowd vs. No. 21 Miami
Wednesday, February 25
Addison Patterson Dunk vs. Akron
Wednesday, February 04
Cinematic Recap: Jan. 24 Basketball Doubleheader
Saturday, January 24