Eastern Michigan Athletics
Greatest EMU Men's Basketball Victories
Among Eastern Michigan's 1,300-plus victories, a handful of victories rank above all others. These lists are deeply subjective. They conjure emotional connections between fans and their school, and often bridge eras, too.
This list was compiled solely from the modern era of EMU basketball, the period starting when EMU ascended from NAIA to Division I status in just a handful of years. They are ordered by date.
— T.C. Cameron is the author of Miracle Maples (2019) and Navy Football: Return to Glory (2017). A 1995 graduate of EMU, he's lived in Annapolis, MD since 2009. Follow him on Twitter: @ByTCCameron.
March 12, 1971: EMU 89, FAIRMONT STATE 78
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — EMU made national headlines by handing Fairmont State their second loss in 34 games, as Kennedy McIntosh's 3-point play, followed by an Earl Dixon basket, gave the Hurons a 63-58 lead they never surrendered. Eastern lost the title game, 102-82, to defending champion Kentucky State, but eight wins in four consecutive NAIA tournament appearances — and eight months after Ron Oestrike's baseball team won the 1970 NAIA title — cemented Eastern as a school deserving Division I status. Soon, the Mid-American Conference would come calling.
This list was compiled solely from the modern era of EMU basketball, the period starting when EMU ascended from NAIA to Division I status in just a handful of years. They are ordered by date.
— T.C. Cameron is the author of Miracle Maples (2019) and Navy Football: Return to Glory (2017). A 1995 graduate of EMU, he's lived in Annapolis, MD since 2009. Follow him on Twitter: @ByTCCameron.
March 12, 1971: EMU 89, FAIRMONT STATE 78
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — EMU made national headlines by handing Fairmont State their second loss in 34 games, as Kennedy McIntosh's 3-point play, followed by an Earl Dixon basket, gave the Hurons a 63-58 lead they never surrendered. Eastern lost the title game, 102-82, to defending champion Kentucky State, but eight wins in four consecutive NAIA tournament appearances — and eight months after Ron Oestrike's baseball team won the 1970 NAIA title — cemented Eastern as a school deserving Division I status. Soon, the Mid-American Conference would come calling.
Dec. 7, 1982: EMU 67, PITTSBURGH 62
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern's first brand-name win after previous heartbreaking losses to ranked teams from Indiana State (1977) and DePaul (1979). The Hurons never trailed against a school coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and playing their first season as a member of the highly-regarded Big East. Vince Giles scored a career-high 15, while Maurice Adams (12), Marlow McClain (11) and Eric Watson (10) reached double digits in scoring. Pitt coach Roy Chipman picked up two technicals, later telling the Ann Arbor News, "Eastern did play exceptionally tough man-to-man defense and did frustrate us."
Dec. 17, 1987: EMU 84, MICHIGAN STATE 80 (OT)
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern upset Coach Jud Heathcote's Spartans by surviving MSU's 10-point rally in the last 90 seconds to force overtime. Grant Long, who scored a game-high 21, knocked down an old-fashioned three-point play with 1:15 left in the extra period to put EMU in front, and Lorenzo Neely's free throws with eight seconds clinched the win. "After the game, Jud and I shook hands and he said, 'Merry Christmas!'" Ben Braun said. "I said, 'Jud, I don't celebrate Christmas' and he said, 'Well, you just got a gift. I'm never coming down here to play you again!"
March 12, 1988: EMU 94, OHIO 80
TOLEDO, Ohio — EMU captured its first Mid-American Conference title and NCAA Tournament bid, the first post-season invite since 1971. The Hurons erased a four-point, second half deficit on Deron Goheen's consecutive 3-pointers and a Howard Chambers jump shot. Grant Long, the MAC tourney MVP, scored a game-high 29, and Lorenzo Neely added 15 for Eastern, who took all three games from the Bobcats in 1987-88. A week later, in Eastern's first NCAA tournament game, Brad Soucie knocked down an EMU-record eight 3-pointers, but Eastern lost to Pittsburgh, 108-90.
Jan. 24, 1990: EMU 71, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 70 (OT)
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Carlos Briggs' basket put CMU ahead with five seconds left, placing Eastern into desperate circumstances. Following a timeout, Charles Thomas heaved an inbounds pass from the baseline to twin Carl Thomas, who turned and fired a 3-point shot from just inside the MAC logo. The 28-footer ripped through the net an instant after the horn sounded as Thomas, who scored 14, lept onto the press row table, setting off a wild celebration.
Entering the game at 10-8, EMU won nine of the next 13 to reach the MAC tournament semifinals.
Jan. 19, 1991: EMU 73, BOWLING GREEN 68
YPSILANTI, Mich. — During the week leading up to the Saturday afternoon game, Eastern's campus erupted with protests against the emerging Gulf War and a rally for the troops sent to fight it. EMU administrators hoped the game would be a unifying event, but the battle of MAC preseason favorites looked like a mismatch as BGSU raced out to a 44-27 halftime lead. The Falcons still led by 15 with less than 15 minutes to play when Lorenzo Neely went off, scoring 22 of his game-high 28 points, triggering a 31-12 run by the Hurons. Neely's six free throws in the last minute clinched the victory.
March 10, 1991: EMU 67, TOLEDO 66
DETROIT, Mich. — Playing in front of a partisan crowd of almost 6,000 at Detroit's TFC Center (formerly Cobo Arena) Eastern's greatest season survived a scare for the ages, as Charles Thomas blocked Keith Wade's potential game-tying 3-point shot with seconds remaining to clinch its second MAC title in four years. Marcus Kennedy, the tournament's MVP, scored 21 points while Kory Hallas added 17. The Hurons earned the No. 12 seed and their second NCAA tournament invite later that night.
March 15, 1991: EMU 76, No. 18 MISSISSIPPI STATE 56
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Less than a minute remained in Eastern's first NCAA tournament victory when Charles Thomas eased down press row and asked, "Do you think we'll get some respect now?"
Despite trailing 12-2 early, and Lorenzo Neely throwing up on the floor, Eastern marched past the regular season co-champions of the Southeastern Conference. Marcus Kennedy scored 22 and Neely added 17 for EMU, which stifled Mississippi State's offense; the Bulldogs managed just nine baskets in 31 second half attempts.
Eastern's first-ever NCAA tournament win was the MAC's third-straight first round victory over a higher seeded opponent in as many years.
March 17, 1991: EMU 71, PENN STATE 68 (OT)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After Marcus Kennedy (21 points) and Kory Hallas fouled out on consecutive possessions, Atlantic 10 Conference champion Penn State took a one-point lead, and Eastern's Sweet 16 hopes seemed doomed.
EMU, however, won an 11th-straight game in thrilling fashion. Charles Thomas put back of an offensive rebound and two free throws by Lorenzo Neely put EMU back in front. Later, Carl Thomas' pass to a streaking Roger Lewis resulted in a basket and a four-point lead with 26 seconds left, clinching Eastern Michigan's 26th win of the season.
Dec. 10, 1994: EMU 92, No. 14 WISCONSIN 76
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern's greatest victory in program history was punctuated by leads of 29-4, 40-13 and 50-17 at halftime, as the Eagles ran the stunned Badgers off the Bowen Field House court.
To read about this victory in greater detail, click here.
March 10, 1995: EMU 78, OHIO 72
TOLEDO, Ohio — Gary Trent, the "Shaq of the MAC" and a future NBA first-round pick, scored 31 and pulled down 14 rebounds, but EMU advanced because of three Eagles who refused to let EMU succumb to the MAC player of the year.
In the first half, it was Brian Tolbert scoring 17 of his 24 points. In the second half, Theron Wilson scored 13 of his 16 points. And whenever Ohio threatened, Earl Boykins' 18 points and spectacular ball handling kept the Bobcats at bay.
There's not been a more determined effort then the one Eastern authored in reaching the MAC tournament.
Feb. 7, 1996: No. 24 EMU 89, WESTERN MICHIGAN 83
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Coach Ben Braun put his smallest combination on the floor, then watched his Eagles erase an 11-point deficit in the last 12 minutes for EMU's first victory as a ranked team. Derrick Dial, the smallest forward in the MAC at 6-foot-3, scored 21, and Boykins, at 5-foot-5 the smallest guard in all of college basketball, scored 19. Theron Wilson had 18, Brian Tolbert added 17, while Torrey Mills came off the bench to play power forward for the first time since high school.
March 9, 1996: EMU 77, TOLEDO 63
TOLEDO, Ohio — Brian Tolbert's 10 points during a decisive 13-2 run delivered EMU their third MAC title in nine years. Toledo drew within 56-51 with 9:31 before Tolbert took over. Following a 3-point shot by Derrick Dial, Tolbert dropped a 3-pointer of his own, then a 15-foot jumper and a nifty lay-up that featured him going around his back with the ball as he went to the basket after Theron Wilson's blocked shot.
Tolbert's 3-pointer with 4:40 left put EMU in front, 69-53, putting the contest out of reach.
March 14, 1996: EMU 75, DUKE 60
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Eastern Michigan became the only school since 1955 to knock Duke out of the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Earl Boykins, who racked up 23 points, five assists and four steals, thrilled a crowd of 31,373 with his jitterbug-like moves and flashy ball handling. Tied at 26 at halftime, Eastern's 49 second half points turned the game into a rout. Brian Tolbert scored 20 and Derrick Dial added 12. Click here to watch the game.
EMU's season ended with a loss to No. 1 Connecticut, but not before Tolbert scored a tournament-high 39 points. Click here to watch the game.
Dec. 12, 1996: EMU 68, SYRACUSE 65
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Eagles stole headlines across the country by scoring the game's final eight points in two minutes. Stymied by coach Jim Boeheim's patented 2-3 zone, Earl Boykins knocked down a 3 with 1:48 to play to tie the game at 65, then ran the Orangemen defense in circles before Dial, who scored 47 in two days, hit the game-winning 3 with 26 seconds to play.
A day earlier, EMU edged Old Dominion, 79-78, on James Head's tip-in of Boykins' missed shot as the buzzer sounded. Syracuse won their tournament 14 times consecutively before inviting EMU.
Dec. 17, 1997: EMU 89, No. 21 MICHIGAN 83 (OT)
ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Just four days after Michigan defeated No. 1 Duke, EMU authored a victory that headlined college basketball across the country.
The Eagles at one point led by 13 in the second half, but found themselves behind, 82-79, with 2:21 in overtime but stormed back on a 3-pointer by Head and a baseline lay-up from Jon Zajac (11 points), before Earl Boykins iced the victory with three free throws. EMU tied the Crisler Arena record for 3-pointers by an opponent with 12. Boykins had 29, James Head added 20 and Derrick Dial had 16.
Click here to watch the game.
Feb. 25, 1998: EMU 87, TOLEDO 86
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Bowen Field House's final scheduled game turned into a dramatic farewell thanks to one of the greatest shots from one of EMU's greatest players.
Down two with just 3.6 seconds left, Earl Boykins created a magic moment. Taking an inbound pass and darting away from one defender, then spinning away from another, Boykins reached the half court logo before launching a 45-foot shot.
The horn sounded an instant before the shot ripped through the net. As Eastern's bench mobbed Boykins, the crowd followed the team onto the floor, creating a mob scene unlike any Bowen had ever seen.
March 4, 1998: EMU 93, BALL STATE 92 (OT)
TOLEDO, Ohio — Just 20 seconds remained in the MAC tournament semifinal, and as Ball State's Lamont Roland came down the floor, Eastern's fate seemed certain. Roland would find MAC Player of the Year Bonzi Wells and the Cardinals would overtake EMU and win the MAC title.
Refusing to allow the Eagles to lose, Earl Boykins stripped Roland of the ball and ran out the clock, as EMU became the first school to reach four straight MAC championship games.
Boykins' 35 points, seven steals and seven assists was a message to the media, who had voted Wells as MAC's MVP the day before.
Nov. 18, 2005: EMU 67, CALIFORNIA 65
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern spoiled Ben Braun's homecoming, scoring 11 straight points in the final, frantic few minutes to stun the Bears. John Bowler scored 19 and pulled down 12 rebounds, while Geno Smith had 16 and Danny McElhinny added 11 for EMU, which knocked down nine 3s. Before the game, Braun was honored for a Hall of Fame induction, as EMU Head Coach Charles Ramsey, a former Braun assistant, and every EMU player shook hands with the Cal coach at half court.
"I was treated to a dose of what our EMU teams did to so many other schools," Braun said, "and that was a Cal team that made the NCAA Tournament, too."
Dec. 8, 2012: EMU 47, PURDUE 44
YPSILANTI, Mich. — It might be the ugliest win in school history, but any win over a visiting Big Ten school is beautiful.
Purdue out-rebounded the Eagles, 51-33, who shot just 31 percent for the field and 42 percent from the free throw line. An 24-8 EMU run gave the Eagles a 37-28 lead with 11:16 to play, and despite only scoring three points in the final 8:24 — all free throws — Eastern's 2-3 zone defense limited the Boilermakers to 14 field goals and 18 turnovers for the game.
Click here to watch the game.
Dec.11, 2021: EMU 92, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 88 (4OT)
YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eagles soared from a 13-point deficit in the second half to win the longest game in program history on a day legendary alumnus and all-time NBA great George Gervin was welcomed back to campus with an incredible honor. Known as the “Iceman” during his professional career for his cool and calculated playmaking ability, Gervin was honored with the announcement EMU’s home facility would forever be known as the George Gervin GameAbove Center. EMU President James M. Smith and Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee attended the ceremony. As if on cue for the moment, EMU thundered back in front of a raucous crowd from a 54-41 deficit with just 7:20 to play to force overtime, then withstood three extra five-minute periods before finally outscoring the Panthers, 10-6, in the final period. Noah Farrakhan netted a career-high 27 to lead the Eagles in scoring, while Monty Scott (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Mo Njie (10 points, 11 rebounds) earned double-double status.
Feb 22, 2025: EMU 79, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 76
DeKALB, ILL — Jalen Terry’s 35-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer left 2,983 at NIU’s Convocation Center stunned in silence, as EMU scored 10 straight points in the final 74 seconds. Terry’s 3-pointer made it 76-72, NIU, with 1:14 to play. Da’Sean Nelson scored a layup with 18 seconds left, and just two seconds later, Terry converted an NIU turnover from their own endline into a layup to tie the game. With three seconds left, another NIU turnover gave EMU possession, and Terry took advantage by catching the inbound pass, taking a couple of strides across midcourt before knocking down the game-winning shot.
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern's first brand-name win after previous heartbreaking losses to ranked teams from Indiana State (1977) and DePaul (1979). The Hurons never trailed against a school coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and playing their first season as a member of the highly-regarded Big East. Vince Giles scored a career-high 15, while Maurice Adams (12), Marlow McClain (11) and Eric Watson (10) reached double digits in scoring. Pitt coach Roy Chipman picked up two technicals, later telling the Ann Arbor News, "Eastern did play exceptionally tough man-to-man defense and did frustrate us."
Dec. 17, 1987: EMU 84, MICHIGAN STATE 80 (OT)
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern upset Coach Jud Heathcote's Spartans by surviving MSU's 10-point rally in the last 90 seconds to force overtime. Grant Long, who scored a game-high 21, knocked down an old-fashioned three-point play with 1:15 left in the extra period to put EMU in front, and Lorenzo Neely's free throws with eight seconds clinched the win. "After the game, Jud and I shook hands and he said, 'Merry Christmas!'" Ben Braun said. "I said, 'Jud, I don't celebrate Christmas' and he said, 'Well, you just got a gift. I'm never coming down here to play you again!"
March 12, 1988: EMU 94, OHIO 80
TOLEDO, Ohio — EMU captured its first Mid-American Conference title and NCAA Tournament bid, the first post-season invite since 1971. The Hurons erased a four-point, second half deficit on Deron Goheen's consecutive 3-pointers and a Howard Chambers jump shot. Grant Long, the MAC tourney MVP, scored a game-high 29, and Lorenzo Neely added 15 for Eastern, who took all three games from the Bobcats in 1987-88. A week later, in Eastern's first NCAA tournament game, Brad Soucie knocked down an EMU-record eight 3-pointers, but Eastern lost to Pittsburgh, 108-90.
Jan. 24, 1990: EMU 71, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 70 (OT)
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Carlos Briggs' basket put CMU ahead with five seconds left, placing Eastern into desperate circumstances. Following a timeout, Charles Thomas heaved an inbounds pass from the baseline to twin Carl Thomas, who turned and fired a 3-point shot from just inside the MAC logo. The 28-footer ripped through the net an instant after the horn sounded as Thomas, who scored 14, lept onto the press row table, setting off a wild celebration.
Entering the game at 10-8, EMU won nine of the next 13 to reach the MAC tournament semifinals.
Jan. 19, 1991: EMU 73, BOWLING GREEN 68
YPSILANTI, Mich. — During the week leading up to the Saturday afternoon game, Eastern's campus erupted with protests against the emerging Gulf War and a rally for the troops sent to fight it. EMU administrators hoped the game would be a unifying event, but the battle of MAC preseason favorites looked like a mismatch as BGSU raced out to a 44-27 halftime lead. The Falcons still led by 15 with less than 15 minutes to play when Lorenzo Neely went off, scoring 22 of his game-high 28 points, triggering a 31-12 run by the Hurons. Neely's six free throws in the last minute clinched the victory.
March 10, 1991: EMU 67, TOLEDO 66
DETROIT, Mich. — Playing in front of a partisan crowd of almost 6,000 at Detroit's TFC Center (formerly Cobo Arena) Eastern's greatest season survived a scare for the ages, as Charles Thomas blocked Keith Wade's potential game-tying 3-point shot with seconds remaining to clinch its second MAC title in four years. Marcus Kennedy, the tournament's MVP, scored 21 points while Kory Hallas added 17. The Hurons earned the No. 12 seed and their second NCAA tournament invite later that night.
March 15, 1991: EMU 76, No. 18 MISSISSIPPI STATE 56
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Less than a minute remained in Eastern's first NCAA tournament victory when Charles Thomas eased down press row and asked, "Do you think we'll get some respect now?"
Despite trailing 12-2 early, and Lorenzo Neely throwing up on the floor, Eastern marched past the regular season co-champions of the Southeastern Conference. Marcus Kennedy scored 22 and Neely added 17 for EMU, which stifled Mississippi State's offense; the Bulldogs managed just nine baskets in 31 second half attempts.
Eastern's first-ever NCAA tournament win was the MAC's third-straight first round victory over a higher seeded opponent in as many years.
March 17, 1991: EMU 71, PENN STATE 68 (OT)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After Marcus Kennedy (21 points) and Kory Hallas fouled out on consecutive possessions, Atlantic 10 Conference champion Penn State took a one-point lead, and Eastern's Sweet 16 hopes seemed doomed.
EMU, however, won an 11th-straight game in thrilling fashion. Charles Thomas put back of an offensive rebound and two free throws by Lorenzo Neely put EMU back in front. Later, Carl Thomas' pass to a streaking Roger Lewis resulted in a basket and a four-point lead with 26 seconds left, clinching Eastern Michigan's 26th win of the season.
Dec. 10, 1994: EMU 92, No. 14 WISCONSIN 76
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern's greatest victory in program history was punctuated by leads of 29-4, 40-13 and 50-17 at halftime, as the Eagles ran the stunned Badgers off the Bowen Field House court.
To read about this victory in greater detail, click here.
March 10, 1995: EMU 78, OHIO 72
TOLEDO, Ohio — Gary Trent, the "Shaq of the MAC" and a future NBA first-round pick, scored 31 and pulled down 14 rebounds, but EMU advanced because of three Eagles who refused to let EMU succumb to the MAC player of the year.
In the first half, it was Brian Tolbert scoring 17 of his 24 points. In the second half, Theron Wilson scored 13 of his 16 points. And whenever Ohio threatened, Earl Boykins' 18 points and spectacular ball handling kept the Bobcats at bay.
There's not been a more determined effort then the one Eastern authored in reaching the MAC tournament.
Feb. 7, 1996: No. 24 EMU 89, WESTERN MICHIGAN 83
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Coach Ben Braun put his smallest combination on the floor, then watched his Eagles erase an 11-point deficit in the last 12 minutes for EMU's first victory as a ranked team. Derrick Dial, the smallest forward in the MAC at 6-foot-3, scored 21, and Boykins, at 5-foot-5 the smallest guard in all of college basketball, scored 19. Theron Wilson had 18, Brian Tolbert added 17, while Torrey Mills came off the bench to play power forward for the first time since high school.
March 9, 1996: EMU 77, TOLEDO 63
TOLEDO, Ohio — Brian Tolbert's 10 points during a decisive 13-2 run delivered EMU their third MAC title in nine years. Toledo drew within 56-51 with 9:31 before Tolbert took over. Following a 3-point shot by Derrick Dial, Tolbert dropped a 3-pointer of his own, then a 15-foot jumper and a nifty lay-up that featured him going around his back with the ball as he went to the basket after Theron Wilson's blocked shot.
Tolbert's 3-pointer with 4:40 left put EMU in front, 69-53, putting the contest out of reach.
March 14, 1996: EMU 75, DUKE 60
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Eastern Michigan became the only school since 1955 to knock Duke out of the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Earl Boykins, who racked up 23 points, five assists and four steals, thrilled a crowd of 31,373 with his jitterbug-like moves and flashy ball handling. Tied at 26 at halftime, Eastern's 49 second half points turned the game into a rout. Brian Tolbert scored 20 and Derrick Dial added 12. Click here to watch the game.
EMU's season ended with a loss to No. 1 Connecticut, but not before Tolbert scored a tournament-high 39 points. Click here to watch the game.
Dec. 12, 1996: EMU 68, SYRACUSE 65
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Eagles stole headlines across the country by scoring the game's final eight points in two minutes. Stymied by coach Jim Boeheim's patented 2-3 zone, Earl Boykins knocked down a 3 with 1:48 to play to tie the game at 65, then ran the Orangemen defense in circles before Dial, who scored 47 in two days, hit the game-winning 3 with 26 seconds to play.
A day earlier, EMU edged Old Dominion, 79-78, on James Head's tip-in of Boykins' missed shot as the buzzer sounded. Syracuse won their tournament 14 times consecutively before inviting EMU.
Dec. 17, 1997: EMU 89, No. 21 MICHIGAN 83 (OT)
ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Just four days after Michigan defeated No. 1 Duke, EMU authored a victory that headlined college basketball across the country.
The Eagles at one point led by 13 in the second half, but found themselves behind, 82-79, with 2:21 in overtime but stormed back on a 3-pointer by Head and a baseline lay-up from Jon Zajac (11 points), before Earl Boykins iced the victory with three free throws. EMU tied the Crisler Arena record for 3-pointers by an opponent with 12. Boykins had 29, James Head added 20 and Derrick Dial had 16.
Click here to watch the game.
Feb. 25, 1998: EMU 87, TOLEDO 86
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Bowen Field House's final scheduled game turned into a dramatic farewell thanks to one of the greatest shots from one of EMU's greatest players.
Down two with just 3.6 seconds left, Earl Boykins created a magic moment. Taking an inbound pass and darting away from one defender, then spinning away from another, Boykins reached the half court logo before launching a 45-foot shot.
The horn sounded an instant before the shot ripped through the net. As Eastern's bench mobbed Boykins, the crowd followed the team onto the floor, creating a mob scene unlike any Bowen had ever seen.
March 4, 1998: EMU 93, BALL STATE 92 (OT)
TOLEDO, Ohio — Just 20 seconds remained in the MAC tournament semifinal, and as Ball State's Lamont Roland came down the floor, Eastern's fate seemed certain. Roland would find MAC Player of the Year Bonzi Wells and the Cardinals would overtake EMU and win the MAC title.
Refusing to allow the Eagles to lose, Earl Boykins stripped Roland of the ball and ran out the clock, as EMU became the first school to reach four straight MAC championship games.
Boykins' 35 points, seven steals and seven assists was a message to the media, who had voted Wells as MAC's MVP the day before.
Nov. 18, 2005: EMU 67, CALIFORNIA 65
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Eastern spoiled Ben Braun's homecoming, scoring 11 straight points in the final, frantic few minutes to stun the Bears. John Bowler scored 19 and pulled down 12 rebounds, while Geno Smith had 16 and Danny McElhinny added 11 for EMU, which knocked down nine 3s. Before the game, Braun was honored for a Hall of Fame induction, as EMU Head Coach Charles Ramsey, a former Braun assistant, and every EMU player shook hands with the Cal coach at half court.
"I was treated to a dose of what our EMU teams did to so many other schools," Braun said, "and that was a Cal team that made the NCAA Tournament, too."
Dec. 8, 2012: EMU 47, PURDUE 44
YPSILANTI, Mich. — It might be the ugliest win in school history, but any win over a visiting Big Ten school is beautiful.
Purdue out-rebounded the Eagles, 51-33, who shot just 31 percent for the field and 42 percent from the free throw line. An 24-8 EMU run gave the Eagles a 37-28 lead with 11:16 to play, and despite only scoring three points in the final 8:24 — all free throws — Eastern's 2-3 zone defense limited the Boilermakers to 14 field goals and 18 turnovers for the game.
Click here to watch the game.
Dec.11, 2021: EMU 92, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 88 (4OT)
YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eagles soared from a 13-point deficit in the second half to win the longest game in program history on a day legendary alumnus and all-time NBA great George Gervin was welcomed back to campus with an incredible honor. Known as the “Iceman” during his professional career for his cool and calculated playmaking ability, Gervin was honored with the announcement EMU’s home facility would forever be known as the George Gervin GameAbove Center. EMU President James M. Smith and Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee attended the ceremony. As if on cue for the moment, EMU thundered back in front of a raucous crowd from a 54-41 deficit with just 7:20 to play to force overtime, then withstood three extra five-minute periods before finally outscoring the Panthers, 10-6, in the final period. Noah Farrakhan netted a career-high 27 to lead the Eagles in scoring, while Monty Scott (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Mo Njie (10 points, 11 rebounds) earned double-double status.
Feb 22, 2025: EMU 79, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 76
DeKALB, ILL — Jalen Terry’s 35-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer left 2,983 at NIU’s Convocation Center stunned in silence, as EMU scored 10 straight points in the final 74 seconds. Terry’s 3-pointer made it 76-72, NIU, with 1:14 to play. Da’Sean Nelson scored a layup with 18 seconds left, and just two seconds later, Terry converted an NIU turnover from their own endline into a layup to tie the game. With three seconds left, another NIU turnover gave EMU possession, and Terry took advantage by catching the inbound pass, taking a couple of strides across midcourt before knocking down the game-winning shot.
Top EMU Division I Victories
1. March 12, 1971: EMU 89, Fairmont State 78
2. Dec. 7, 1982: EMU 67, Pittsburgh 62
3. Dec. 17, 1987: EMU 84, Michigan State 80 (OT)
4. March 12, 1988: EMU 94, Ohio 80
5. Jan. 24, 1990: EMU 71, Central Michigan 70 (OT)
6. Jan. 19, 1991: EMU 73, Bowling Green 68
7. March 10, 1991: EMU 67, Toledo 66
8. March 15, 1991: EMU 76, No. 18 Mississippi State 56
9. March 17, 1991: EMU 71, Penn State 68 (OT)
10. Dec. 10, 1994: EMU 92, No. 14 Wisconsin 76
11. March 10, 1995: EMU 78, Ohio 72
12. Feb. 7, 1996: No. 23 EMU 89, Western Michigan 83
13. March 9, 1996: EMU 77, Toledo 63
14. March 14, 1996: EMU 75, Duke 60
15. Dec. 12, 1996: EMU 68, Syracuse 65
16. Dec. 17, 1997: EMU 89, No. 21 Michigan 83 (OT)
17. Feb. 25, 1998: EMU 87, Toledo 86
18. March 4, 1998: EMU 93, Ball State 92 (OT)
19. Nov. 18, 2005: EMU 67, California 65
20. Dec. 8, 2012: EMU 47, Purdue 44
21. Dec. 11, 2021: EMU 92, FIU 88 (4OT)
22. Feb 22, 2025: EMU 79, Northern Illinois 76
1. March 12, 1971: EMU 89, Fairmont State 78
2. Dec. 7, 1982: EMU 67, Pittsburgh 62
3. Dec. 17, 1987: EMU 84, Michigan State 80 (OT)
4. March 12, 1988: EMU 94, Ohio 80
5. Jan. 24, 1990: EMU 71, Central Michigan 70 (OT)
6. Jan. 19, 1991: EMU 73, Bowling Green 68
7. March 10, 1991: EMU 67, Toledo 66
8. March 15, 1991: EMU 76, No. 18 Mississippi State 56
9. March 17, 1991: EMU 71, Penn State 68 (OT)
10. Dec. 10, 1994: EMU 92, No. 14 Wisconsin 76
11. March 10, 1995: EMU 78, Ohio 72
12. Feb. 7, 1996: No. 23 EMU 89, Western Michigan 83
13. March 9, 1996: EMU 77, Toledo 63
14. March 14, 1996: EMU 75, Duke 60
15. Dec. 12, 1996: EMU 68, Syracuse 65
16. Dec. 17, 1997: EMU 89, No. 21 Michigan 83 (OT)
17. Feb. 25, 1998: EMU 87, Toledo 86
18. March 4, 1998: EMU 93, Ball State 92 (OT)
19. Nov. 18, 2005: EMU 67, California 65
20. Dec. 8, 2012: EMU 47, Purdue 44
21. Dec. 11, 2021: EMU 92, FIU 88 (4OT)
22. Feb 22, 2025: EMU 79, Northern Illinois 76