YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan got back in the win column with a convincing 63-49 victory over Akron Tuesday inside the Convocation Center.
The Eagles (11-7, 2-3 MAC) defeated the Zips (8-9, 1-4 MAC) for the first time since Feb. 14, 2015, snapping a four-game skid in the series.
For the third time this season, EMU had . . .
The Eagles (11-7, 2-3 MAC) defeated the Zips (8-9, 1-4 MAC) for the first time since Feb. 14, 2015, snapping a four-game skid in the series.
For the third time this season, EMU had . . .
. . . at least two players record 20 or more points in a single game. Redshirt junior Elijah Minnie paced the Eagles with 22 points, in addition to five rebounds, four blocks, and a team-high four steals. Redshirt junior Paul Jackson tallied 20 points, eight boards, and a team-best four assists.
Junior James Thompson IV added eight points, eight boards, and four blocks, while senior Tim Bond collected five rebounds and led the Green and White with six assists.
The Eagles were the superior team on offense, shooting 46.7 percent (21-of-45) from the floor compared to Akron's 30.9 percent (17-of-55) clip. On the defensive end, the Eagles out-blocked the Zips by a 10-2 margin and out-rebounded the visitors, 34-32.
Akron had a perfect night at the line, but had only eight chances. EMU, meanwhile, connected on 70 percent of 20 chances.
Freshman Eric Parrish topped the Zips with 18 points. Senior Malcolm Duvivier contributed an even dozen points.
EMU started the scoring with a three-point play from Jackson early in the contest. After falling behind 8-5, Minnie and Nobles connected on back-to-back corner threes to put the Green and White back in front, 11-8.
The Eagles' offense was in command in the early stages, using a 14-5 run late in the stanza to build a seven-point advantage. For the fourth time in five Mid-American Conference games, EMU led at the break as it took a 34-27 lead into the locker room.
The Eagles carried play to begin the second half, with Minnie's layup giving the Green and White its largest lead to that point, 41-31, heading into the first media timeout of the final frame. Leading 43-35, a big one-handed slam from Minnie restored the Eagles' 10-point cushion with 10:12 remaining in the second stanza, prompting Akron head coach John Groce to burn a full timeout.
After Akron cut the lead to five, Bond set up Minnie for an alley-oop to give EMU a 47-40 edge with 8:21 to play in the second half. The Eagles grabbed a 51-43 lead when Minnie beat the shot clock with a three from NBA range with 6:33 left in regulation.
Eastern eventually pulled away, at one stage going on a 10-0 run to open up a 63-47 lead and finishing in front 63-49 to improve to 9-1 inside the Convocation Center this season.
NEXT:
Eastern Michigan hosts Ohio University Saturday (2 p.m. ET).
Akron will be home against Northern Illinois. (4:30 p.m. ET).
Junior James Thompson IV added eight points, eight boards, and four blocks, while senior Tim Bond collected five rebounds and led the Green and White with six assists.
The Eagles were the superior team on offense, shooting 46.7 percent (21-of-45) from the floor compared to Akron's 30.9 percent (17-of-55) clip. On the defensive end, the Eagles out-blocked the Zips by a 10-2 margin and out-rebounded the visitors, 34-32.
Akron had a perfect night at the line, but had only eight chances. EMU, meanwhile, connected on 70 percent of 20 chances.
Freshman Eric Parrish topped the Zips with 18 points. Senior Malcolm Duvivier contributed an even dozen points.
EMU started the scoring with a three-point play from Jackson early in the contest. After falling behind 8-5, Minnie and Nobles connected on back-to-back corner threes to put the Green and White back in front, 11-8.
The Eagles' offense was in command in the early stages, using a 14-5 run late in the stanza to build a seven-point advantage. For the fourth time in five Mid-American Conference games, EMU led at the break as it took a 34-27 lead into the locker room.
The Eagles carried play to begin the second half, with Minnie's layup giving the Green and White its largest lead to that point, 41-31, heading into the first media timeout of the final frame. Leading 43-35, a big one-handed slam from Minnie restored the Eagles' 10-point cushion with 10:12 remaining in the second stanza, prompting Akron head coach John Groce to burn a full timeout.
After Akron cut the lead to five, Bond set up Minnie for an alley-oop to give EMU a 47-40 edge with 8:21 to play in the second half. The Eagles grabbed a 51-43 lead when Minnie beat the shot clock with a three from NBA range with 6:33 left in regulation.
Eastern eventually pulled away, at one stage going on a 10-0 run to open up a 63-47 lead and finishing in front 63-49 to improve to 9-1 inside the Convocation Center this season.
NEXT:
Eastern Michigan hosts Ohio University Saturday (2 p.m. ET).
Akron will be home against Northern Illinois. (4:30 p.m. ET).
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