Eastern Michigan Athletics

Photo by: Campbell Moore
Eastern Taking On Ball State in Pivotal MAC Matchup Tuesday
2/9/2025 7:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles and Cardinals are tied for sixth in MAC standings
Men's Basketball at Ball State | |
Date | Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. |
Venue | Worthen Arena (11,500) | Muncie, Ind. |
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 | |
Tickets | Purchase tickets for future home games |
MUNCIE, Ind. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team travels to Ball State University for a pivotal Mid-American Conference contest Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. inside the Worthen Arena. Both the Eagles and the Cardinals are tied for six in the conference standings as the game could prove to have massive implications on the MAC Tournament race in both seeding and potential tiebreakers.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Ball State will air on ESPN+ from Worthen 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
»Eastern Michigan improved to 2-0 in the MAC-SBC Challenge, Feb. 8, after knocking off Old Dominion, 76-70. Eastern, which led the contest for more than 33 minutes, received 22 points from senior Da'Sean Nelson and 18 from senior Jalen Terry.
»The Eagles trailed Kent State for all but 26 seconds in the 70-49 loss to the Golden Flashes, Feb. 4. EMU cut the deficit to three a trio of times early in the second half before KSU pulled away.
»Senior Yusuf Jihad netted 10 points in just 14:38 of court time against Kent State, Feb. 4. Jihad's performance marks his fifth game this season scoring double-digit points and the fourth time he has done so when playing less than 20 minutes.
»During conference play, junior Christian Henry tops the MAC in scoring with 17.2 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson is second with 16.7 points per game.
»Eastern Michigan, which sits at 4-6 in the MAC for the first time since the 2018-19 season, is seeking a 5-6 start in conference play against Ball State, Feb. 11.
»EMU is one of only five teams in the nation to have at least four different players to score 28 points in separate games this season.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fourth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 42-74 record at EMU and a 251-281 record over 17 years as a collegiate head coach.
ALL TIME SERIES VS. BALL STATE
Eastern Michigan and Ball State will meet for the 118th time Tuesday, Feb. 11, as BSU leads the all-time series, 71-46.
The Eagles won the most recent meetings between the teams, a 58-56 win, Feb. 24, 2024, in Muncie. In that game, Eastern trailed by six with 8:14 left. Leading by one with 25 seconds to play, sophomore Arne Osojnik drilled a triple to put the Eagles in control of the game.
Eastern has won two of the last three meetings against the Cardinals but is 2-8 in the last 10 games
DA'SEAN NELSON 22 POINTS AGAINST ODU
Against Old Dominion, Feb. 8, senior Da'Sean Nelson's 22 points marked his seventh game with at least 20 points this season and 10th time in his career.
JALEN TERRY 18 POINTS AGAINST ODU
Against Old Dominion, Feb. 8, senior Jalen Terry scored 18 points, including a trio of three-pointers in the game's final 11 minutes. The senior made four three-pointers, marking the seventh time this season he has made at least four three-pointers this season and 16th time in his career.
DILLON TINGLER THREE STEALS AGAINST ODU
Against Old Dominion, Feb. 8, Dillon Tingler equaled his career-high with a trio of steals, matching his mark set against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4. Tingler also posted five rebounds, his third game with at least five rebounds this season.
34 BENCH POINTS AGAINST ODU
Against Old Dominion, Feb. 8, Eastern's bench outscored ODU's, 34-10, led by senior Da'Sean Nelson's 22 points off the bench. Senior Jalin Billingsley scored 12 points.
30 FREE THROW ATTEMPTS AGAINST ODU
Against Old Dominion, Feb. 8, EMU got to the line 30 times, converting 21 shots from the charity stripe. The 30 free throw attempts are Eastern's most since Jan. 21, 2023, going 18-for-30 against Northern Illinois.
EASTERN IN THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
After beating Old Dominion, Feb. 8, Eastern is 2-2 in the MAC-SBC Challenge and 2-0 at home.
Eastern's MAC-SBC Challenge Results:
Date Against Score
Feb. 8, 2025 vs. Old Dominion W, 76-70
Nov. 4, 2024 at Texas State L, 44-64
Feb. 10, 2024 at Louisiana-Monroe L, 76-82
Nov. 11, 2023 Georgia Southern W, 70-60
28.3% FROM THE FIELD AGAINST KENT STATE
Eastern was 17-for-60 (28.3%) against Kent State, Feb. 4, its lowest shooting percentage in a game since going 18-for-64 (28.1%) against Bowling Green, Jan. 3, 2023.
YUSUF JIAHD AGAINST KENT STATE
Senior Yusuf Jihad netted 10 points in just 14:38 of court time against Kent State, Feb. 4. Jihad's performance marks his fifth game this season scoring double-digit points and the fourth time he has done so when playing less than 20 minutes. His 10-point showing against the Golden Flashes marked his 17th career game scoring in double figures.
DA'SEAN NELSON FOUR ASSISTS/BLOCKS
Senior Da'Sean Nelson tallied seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and two steals against Kent State, Feb. 4. Nelson is one of 13 players in the nation to achieve that statline this season.
Nelson is the first Eagle to have four assists and four blocks in the same game since at least 2001-02.
ARNE OSOJNIK FOUR STEALS VS. KENT STATE
Sophomore Arne Osojnik registered a career-high four steals against Kent State, Feb. 4, matching his mark of four set at Houston Christian, Nov. 25. Osojnik has at least at one steal in six-straight games. During that span of six games, he has five games with multiple steals.
5-6 IN THE MAC...?
Eastern Michigan, which sits at 4-6 in the MAC for the first time since the 2018-19 season, is seeking a 5-6 start in conference play against Ball State, Feb. 11. The 2018-19 team started 5-6 in MAC play.
EYEING THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Eastern Michigan, which has not qualified for the MAC Tournament since 2019, sits at 4-6 in conference play and is tied for sixth with three other teams in the MAC standings.
Eastern is expected to need at least four more MAC wins to be in the field.
No. 8 in MAC Standings Wins by Year (last 10 shown):
Year Wins School
2023-24 8 Kent State
2022-23 6 Miami
2021-22 6 CMU/BGSU/NIU
2020-21 8 Ball St. (no tournament)
2019-20 8 Toledo/Ohio
2018-19 8 Akron/NIU
2017-18 7 BGSU/Ohio/CMU
2016-17 7 EMU/BGSU/NIU
2015-16 9 EMU/NIU
2014-15 8 EMU/Miami/NIU
Data Since 1997-98 (first season with 12 MAC teams)
Average Wins by No. 8 Seed: 7.52
Highest Wins Needed: 10 (2004-05)
Lowest Wins Needed: 6 (4x, last 2022-23)
EASTERN MICHIGAN HAS FOUR ROAD WINS
Eastern has accumulated four road wins already in the 2024-25 season, which matches its total from last season. If the Eagles can secure another road win this season, it would mark their first time reaching five road wins in one season since tallying seven in the 2017-18 campaign.
EASTERN MICHIGAN ROAD CLOSURE
Eastern Michigan will close the season at Ohio, March 4, and at Kent State, March 7.
The 2024-25 season will mark the third-straight year in which the Eagles' final two regular season games are on the road while EMU will play its last regular season competition away from home for the eighth-straight season. Eastern's last two regular season contests have been road games five of the last seven years.
HENRY LEADING THE MAC IN SCORING
During conference play, junior Christian Henry tops the MAC in scoring with 17.2 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson is second with 16.7 points per game.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (conference only):
1. Christian Henry (EMU) 17.2
T2. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 16.7
Marcus Johnson (BGSU) 16.7
HENRY THREE-POINT, 10-POINT STREAKS
With two made three-pointers against Kent State, Feb. 4, junior Christian Henry has converted at least one three-pointer in each of the last 17 games for the first time in his career. He has also made multiple three-pointers in nine-straight games and scored at least 10 points in 10-consecutive games.
HENRY IMPROVING AT THE FREE THROW LINE
Junior Christian Henry, who leads the team in three-point percentage at 37.2%, has made 31 of his last 37 free throws (83.8%) after making just 49 of his first 82 attempts (59.8%) this season.
In total, Henry is 80-for-119 (67.2%) from the charity stripe.
NELSON/TERRY 1,000 CAREER POINTS SOON
Seniors Da'Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry are both likely to reach 1,000 career points during the 2024-25 season.
Nelson has 973 career points (245 at EMU, 628 at DePaul) and Terry has 932 career points (321 at EMU, 688 at DePaul, 57 at Oregon). If Nelson continues his 15.7 points per game average, he would reach the milestone against Toledo, Feb. 15. If Terry continues his 14.6 points per game average, he would reach the milestone against Bowling Green, Feb. 25.
BILLINGSLEY + NELSON SHOOTING PERCENTAGES
Senior Jalin Billingsley ranks fourth in the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 96-for-175 (.549) while senior Da'Sean Nelson is 12th in the MAC at 113-for-227 (.498).
DA'SEAN NELSON BLOCKS STREAK SNAPPED
Prior to the Old Dominion game, Feb. 8, senior Da'Sean Nelson had seven-straight games with at least one blocked shot, which marked the longest streak of his career. The Toledo native had three-straight games with multiple blocks for the first time in his career after blocking a career-high four shots against Kent State, Feb. 4; two shots at Western Michigan, Feb. 1; and tallying a career-high three rejections at Miami, Jan. 28.
DA'SEAN NELSON GETS FOULED A LOT
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has been fouled 136 times in 22 games played (6.2 fouls per game). During MAC play, Nelson has accumulated 67 fouls drawn in 10 games (6.7 fouls per game).
Nelson has drawn at least eight fouls in nine games this season, all of which have come in the last 16 games.
Eastern Michigan Leaders in Fouls Drawn:
Player Total Average
Da'Sean Nelson 136 6.2
Christian Henry 109 4.7
Jalin Billingsley 55 2.4
Jalen Terry 50 2.3
DA'SEAN NELSON, A BIT OF EVERYTHING
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has shown his versatility during the 2024-25 season. He is averaging 15.7 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game, 1.0 blocks per game, and owns a 50.4%.
Nelson is one of seven players in the nation to have at least 345 points, 125 rebounds, 50 assists, 20 steals, 20 blocks, and a field goal percentage of at least 50.0% this season.
JALEN TERRY, A BIT OF EVERYTHING
Senior Jalen Terry is averaging 14.7 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game.
If Terry were to finish with those numbers, he 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 25 players nationally to average at least 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals. Terry is the only MAC player on the list of 25 players, which also includes former Eagle Orlando Lovejoy.
ONE OF FIVE SCHOOLS 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 one of five teams in the nation with at least four different players reaching 28 points this season. Austin Peay leads the nation with five different players achieving the mark.
Different Players Scoring 28+ Points:
1. Austin Peay 5
2. Eastern Michigan 4
Oklahoma 4
Prairie View A&M 4
San Jose State 4
In total, 435 different players have a 28-point performance this season.
SUCCESS IN CLOSE GAMES
After junior Christian Henry swished in a half-court shot at the buzzer in 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 is tied for the fourth-most in the nation. The trend has continued from the 2023-24 season when the Eagles were 8-3 in games decided by four points or less.
National Leaders in Wins by Four Points or Less:
1. Princeton 9
UC-Riverside 9
3. Texas A&M 7
4. Eastern Michigan 6
14 other schools 6
THREE EAGLES AVERAGING 14+ POINTS
Eastern has three players averaging 14.0 points for the first time since 2015-16 and four players averaging 10.0 points for the first time since 2017-18.
Player PPG 2024-25
Da'Sean Nelson 15.7
Christian Henry 14.9
Jalen Terry 14.6
Jalin Billingsley 10.7
Player PPG 2015-16
Elijah Minnie 16.8
Paul Jackson 14.9
James Thompson 14.5
Player PPG 2017-18
Ray Lee 15.1
Elijah Minnie 14.8
Willie Mangum 12.0
Ty Toney 11.0
TWO EAGLES AVERAGING 3.0+ ASSISTS
Eastern has two players averaging 3.0 assists for the first time since 2017-18.
Player APG 2024-25
Christian Henry 3.4
Jalen Terry 3.1
Player APG 2017-18
Paul Jackson 4.6
Tim Bond 3.5
SECOND-HALF SCORING
Eastern is averaging 39.4 points in the second half while averaging 32.4 points in the first half.
In EMU's 23 games, the Eagles have scored more points in the second half than the first in 16 games.
Nine of the Eagles' 11 top half totals have come in the second half.
Date Against Half Total (Half)
Dec. 21 Wright State 59 (2nd)
Jan. 7 Toledo 54 (2nd)
Nov. 30 Detroit Mercy 52 (2nd)
Jan. 21 Ohio 50 (1st)
Jan. 25 Buffalo 48 (2nd)
Feb. 8 Old Dominion 47 (2nd)
Nov. 14 IU Indy 45 (1st)
Jan. 21 Ohio 44 (2nd)
Nov. 8 Siena Heights 43 (2nd)
Dec. 28 Davidson 43 (2nd)
Jan. 11 Akron 43 (2nd)
JALEN TERRY MAC MINUTES LEADER
Senior Jalen Terry leads the MAC in minutes, averaging 36.8 minutes per game.
National Minutes Leaders:
1. Bennett Stiritz (Drake) 38.9
2.Mitch Macari (Drake) 37.7
3. Nicholas Martinelli (NW) 37.6
4. Gibson Jimerson (SLU) 37.2
5. Johnathan Lawson (UALR) 37.0
6. Brooks Barnheizer (NW) 37.0
7. Ethan Taylor (Air Force) 36.8
8. Josh Bascoe (Bucknell) 36.7
9. Jalen Terry (EMU) 36.8
With former Eagle Tyson Acuff ranking fourth in the nation in minutes per game at 37.9 in 2023-24, if Terry can move back up into the top six, EMU would be the first school since Stony Brook (2021-23) to have different players rank inside the top six in minutes nationally in different seasons.
IMPORTANCE OF REBOUNDING
After being out-rebounded by Kent State, Feb. 4, 44-36, Eastern moved to 2-10 when being out-rebounded this season. The Eagles are 8-2 when recording the same amount or more rebounds as its opponent.
EMU's other loss when out-rebounding its foe came at Cleveland State, Nov. 16, as Eastern held a 34-29 advantage on the glass.
The other win when being out-rebounded came against Northern Arizona, Nov. 26, as the 46-31 Lumberjack rebounding edge marked EMU's first win when being out-rebounded by at least 15 since topping Buffalo, 81-69, Jan. 12, 2016, when being out-rebounded by 17 in that game. Entering that contest on a 22-game losing streak when being out-rebounded by 15, only three of those 22 games were single-digit losses. Since, Eastern has been out-rebounded by at least 15 twice (at Loyola Chicago, Dec. 3, -27 rebounding margin; vs Akron, Jan. 11, -15 rebounding margin). Both games produced 20-plus point losses.
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.
BELOW THE CENTURY MARK
In 381 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, 636-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit five threes against Old Dominion, Feb. 8, has now hit at least one triple in 636-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.
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.
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 hosts Toledo Saturday, Feb. 15, at 3:30 p.m. The game follows the EMU women's game against Ball State, which is set for 1 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
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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