
The 99 points were the most by EMU again an NCAA Division I opponent since Jan. 7, 2003, when the Eagles matched that total in a victory over Navy.
Eastern Michigan moved to 9-5 (1-0 MAC) with the decision, while Central Michigan dropped to 7-7 (0-1 MAC).
The Eagles connected on . . .
Redshirt junior Raven Lee poured in a game-high 32 points, while junior Willie Mangum IV, redshirt junior Jodan Price and freshman James Thompson IV each recorded 19 points. It was a career high for the latter, who led the game in rebounding with 14 caroms.
Central Michigan hit 44.4 percent (28 of 63 from the field and 39.3 (11 of 28) on treys. Josh Kozinski led CMU off the bench with 18 points (off six 3-pointers). Joining him in double figures were Braylon Rayson (17), Chris Fowler (13) and Luke Meyer (11 points, team-high 5 rebounds).
Kozinski nailed four 3-balls during and early 14-4 run to put the hosting Chippewas in front, 24-14 with 11:19 remaining before intermission.
Eastern Michigan, down by 11 at one time, chipped away and caught the Chips at 38-all following a trey by Mangum, who also put EMU with in front with another trey just 13 ticks later. He then added yet another 3-ball and 1:11 and, following two Central free throws, added one of his own to cap first half scoring. Eastern Michigan owned a 45-41 advantageat intermission.
EMU quickly forced a 47-all tie with 18:45 remaining when Rayton canned a triple. The Eagles then edged back in front on a three by Lee. After falling behind by seven, Central Michigan made another run. It closed to within two points at 60-58, but Lee and Thompson scored on fast breaks to begin a surge that left the Chippewas behind. By the 5:15 mark, EMU held an 18-point lead.
Two Nazionne free throws at 1:28 gave Eastern 99 points and its biggest lead (22).
NEXT : Eastern Michigan returns to action Saturday at Northern Illinois (8:30 p.m.ET). Central Michigan has a Saturday matchup at Bowling Green (2 p.m. ET)