The Eagles (5-5) reached the century mark for the fourth time in Convocation Center history, marking the first time EMU has scored 100-or-more points in a single game since dropping 108 against Marygrove, Nov. 25, 2015. With his second victory in as many seasons over his alma mater, head coach Rob Murphyimproved to 26-0 against non-NCAA Division I opposition.
Making his third consecutive start, redshirt sophomore Ty Groce posted a season-high 14 points and pulled down a team-high and career-best nine boards, while redshirt junior Boubacar Toure logged 11 points and six rebounds.
In all, 14 of the 15 Eagles to see the floor scored two or more points. Senior James Thompson IV logged eight points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes of play.
EMU overwhelmed the Marauders (1-9) on both sides of the ball, shooting a season-high 57.3 percent (43-of-75) from the field while holding Central State to a woeful 29.3 percent (17-of-58). The Green and White capitalized on their significant height advantage, scoring 66 points in the paint and out-rebounding the visitors, 47-28.
The Eagles captured the opening tip and instantly seized the game's momentum, starting the contest with an 8-0 run heading into the game's first media stoppage. Leading 11-6, EMU tallied seven unanswered points before Minnie's one-handed slam prompted Central State to burn a timeout with 12:25 to go in the first half. In total, the Green and White pulled away with a 17-0 run lasting nearly five minutes to build a 28-6 advantage with 9:24 left in the first frame.
Ahead 48-21 coming out of the break, the Eagles improved their lead to 36 and sat all five starters with 13:47 left in the second. The Green and White kept their foot on the gas, leading 98-53 before redshirt freshman Jorden Peterson buried a triple from NBA range with 1:53 on the clock to push the Eagles above the 100-point plateau.
Eastern Michigan continues its three-game home stretch Wednesday, Dec. 19, with a 7 p.m. matchup inside the Convocation Center against CollegeInsider.com Top 25 opponent UC Irvine.