EMU (16-11, 7-7 MAC) and CMU (16-11, 5-9 MAC) traded punches the entire game, registering six ties and six lead changes over the entire contest.
Eastern took its . . .
Junior James Thompson IV led the way for the Eagles, registering his 19th double-double of the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Redshirt junior Elijah Minnie added his third double-double of the campaign with 13 points and 10 boards, while fellow redshirt junior Paul Jackson added 15 points and four assists. Bond's final line was another stat-stuffer, as the senior added seven points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Perhaps the biggest play of the game came with under 40 seconds to play and the Eagles ahead by only two. Central Michigan had what appeared to be an open look from three for a chance to go ahead. However, Bond swatted away the shot attempt. It was collected by Minnie, who was fouled immediately and promptly sank both free throws on the other end.
Eastern trailed by as many as seven points over the final 10 minutes of play, but a resilient defensive effort fueled an efficient offensive attack on the other end of the floor. During that timeframe, the Eagles forced the Chippewas into four of their 15 turnovers for the game, and held the home to just 3-of-10 shooting from the floor.
EMU dominated points in the paint for the game, 46-16, and won the overall shooting percentage battle, as well, 47.5 to 37.3.
The factor that made the game so close was behind the three-point line. CMU shot a blistering 42.3 (11-of-26) percent from downtown. The Chips had the advantage at the free throw line in the game, 92.3 percent to 73.3 percent, but the Eagles went 8-of-9 down the stretch to help build their final lead to five.
The other big advantage in the game came on the boards, as Eastern out-rebounded Central 43-30. Double-doubles by Thompson and Minnie marked the third time this season that the duo has logged double figures in points and rebounds in the same game.
NEXT:
Both teams return to action Tuesday. Eastern Michigan will host Toledo, while Central is at Western Michigan. Both game tip at 7 p.m.