Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, February 17
Ypsilanti, Mich.
6:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
10-17,4-10MAC
66
vs
54
Central Michigan
8-18,4-9MAC
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Central Mich.
27
27
54
Eastern Mich.
35
31
66
Photo by: Joey Wolter
Eastern Downs Rival Central Michigan, 66-54
2/17/2026 9:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles had four players in double figures
Postgame Interview | Cinematic Highlights | Godslove Nwabude Highlights
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team topped in-state rival Central Michigan University, 66-54, Tuesday, Feb. 17, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Mid-American Conference action as the squad looks to make push toward March's MAC Tournament, which will see eight teams qualify.
Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep (Md.)) scored a career-high 16 points to go with six rebounds and three blocked shots in a game that Eastern led for 37:55.
Gregory Lawson II (Saginaw, Mich./Oak Cliff Academy) poured in 17 points behind three made triples while Mohammad Habhab (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn/Central Michigan) recorded his 10th double-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Addison Patterson (Mississauga, Ontario/Bella Vista College Prep/Northwestern State) added 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals in his 15th-straight game scoring at least 10 points.
How It Happened
Eastern made its first five field goals in the opening minutes, causing a CMU timeout with the score at 12-4.
The Eagles took an eight-point lead into the locker room at half, leading 35-27.
EMU kicked off the half on a 14-3 run which gave the Eagles a 19-point, 49-30 lead with 15:33, its largest of the game. Central then went on a 15-2 to bring the score to 51-45, Eagles.
The Eagles remained in the lead throughout the rest of the game and snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 66-54 home victory over the Chippewas.
Game Notes
» Eastern moves to 10-17 overall and 4-10 in the MAC while Central Michigan moves to 8-18 overall and 4-9 in conference action.
» Eastern was 25-of-51 (49.0%) from the field and 4-of-12 (33.3%) from the three-point line, while Central was 21-of-57 (36.8%) from the floor and 2-of-17 (11.8%) from three-point range.
» Eastern shot better than Central (49.0%-36.8%). The Eagles' record improved to 10-5 when outshooting opponents this season, snapping a five-game losing streak when outshooting opponents. Eastern previously had not lost five in a row while out-shooting its opponent since at least the 2003-04 season.
» Eastern capitalized on its free throws, shooting 12-of-15 (80.0%), compared to Central's 10-of-20 (50.0%).
» Eastern controlled the glass with a 39-33 rebounding advantage, its record improved to 10-4 when outrebounding opponents.
» Eastern's starters accounted for 92.4% of its points, the third highest percentage of points from starters this season and greatest percentage since its home contest against Kent State, Feb. 11, 2026.
» Addison Patterson scored 11 points, his 15th-straight game with at least 10 points. Patterson has 22 games with at least 10 points this season with 18 of those coming in the last 19 games.
» With Mohammad Habhab's 11 points and 14 rebounds, he recorded his 10th double-double of the season. Habhab's 14 rebounds are two short of his career-high 16, set in the season opener against Georgia State, Nov. 3.
» Gregory Lawson II scored 17 points, the third-highest mark of his career and three short of his 20 points scored at UMass, Jan. 31.
» Gregory Lawson II was 3-for-5 (60%) from three-point range, his seventh career game with more than one triple. Lawson II leads the MAC with a 49.2% three-point conversion rate.
» Mohammad Habhab posted two blocks and has at least one rejection in 11-straight games.
» Godslove Nwabude recorded a career-high 16 points while making 7-of-8 shots and 2-of-3 free throws.
» Godslove Nwabude had three blocks, his 12th game with multiple rejections this season.
» Aidan Rubio (Flint, Mich./Goodrich/UNC-Asheville) converted a first-half three-pointer against his former squad, his 10th game with at least one triple.
Historical Notes
» Central Michigan leads the all-time series, 108-103.
Up Next
» Eastern travels to the University of Toledo for a Saturday game, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. The game is on ESPN+ and will be held in Toledo, Ohio, inside Savage Arena.
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).
Godslove Nwabude (Anambra State, Nigeria/Mt. Zion Prep (Md.)) scored a career-high 16 points to go with six rebounds and three blocked shots in a game that Eastern led for 37:55.
Gregory Lawson II (Saginaw, Mich./Oak Cliff Academy) poured in 17 points behind three made triples while Mohammad Habhab (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn/Central Michigan) recorded his 10th double-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Addison Patterson (Mississauga, Ontario/Bella Vista College Prep/Northwestern State) added 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals in his 15th-straight game scoring at least 10 points.
How It Happened
Eastern made its first five field goals in the opening minutes, causing a CMU timeout with the score at 12-4.
The Eagles took an eight-point lead into the locker room at half, leading 35-27.
EMU kicked off the half on a 14-3 run which gave the Eagles a 19-point, 49-30 lead with 15:33, its largest of the game. Central then went on a 15-2 to bring the score to 51-45, Eagles.
The Eagles remained in the lead throughout the rest of the game and snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 66-54 home victory over the Chippewas.
Game Notes
» Eastern moves to 10-17 overall and 4-10 in the MAC while Central Michigan moves to 8-18 overall and 4-9 in conference action.
» Eastern was 25-of-51 (49.0%) from the field and 4-of-12 (33.3%) from the three-point line, while Central was 21-of-57 (36.8%) from the floor and 2-of-17 (11.8%) from three-point range.
» Eastern shot better than Central (49.0%-36.8%). The Eagles' record improved to 10-5 when outshooting opponents this season, snapping a five-game losing streak when outshooting opponents. Eastern previously had not lost five in a row while out-shooting its opponent since at least the 2003-04 season.
» Eastern capitalized on its free throws, shooting 12-of-15 (80.0%), compared to Central's 10-of-20 (50.0%).
» Eastern controlled the glass with a 39-33 rebounding advantage, its record improved to 10-4 when outrebounding opponents.
» Eastern's starters accounted for 92.4% of its points, the third highest percentage of points from starters this season and greatest percentage since its home contest against Kent State, Feb. 11, 2026.
» Addison Patterson scored 11 points, his 15th-straight game with at least 10 points. Patterson has 22 games with at least 10 points this season with 18 of those coming in the last 19 games.
» With Mohammad Habhab's 11 points and 14 rebounds, he recorded his 10th double-double of the season. Habhab's 14 rebounds are two short of his career-high 16, set in the season opener against Georgia State, Nov. 3.
» Gregory Lawson II scored 17 points, the third-highest mark of his career and three short of his 20 points scored at UMass, Jan. 31.
» Gregory Lawson II was 3-for-5 (60%) from three-point range, his seventh career game with more than one triple. Lawson II leads the MAC with a 49.2% three-point conversion rate.
» Mohammad Habhab posted two blocks and has at least one rejection in 11-straight games.
» Godslove Nwabude recorded a career-high 16 points while making 7-of-8 shots and 2-of-3 free throws.
» Godslove Nwabude had three blocks, his 12th game with multiple rejections this season.
» Aidan Rubio (Flint, Mich./Goodrich/UNC-Asheville) converted a first-half three-pointer against his former squad, his 10th game with at least one triple.
Historical Notes
» Central Michigan leads the all-time series, 108-103.
Up Next
» Eastern travels to the University of Toledo for a Saturday game, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. The game is on ESPN+ and will be held in Toledo, Ohio, inside Savage Arena.
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
CMU
EMU
FG%
.368
.490
3FG%
.118
.333
FT%
.500
.800
RB
33
39
TO
14
18
STL
14
7
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
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