Redshirt junior Elijah Minnie . . .
As a team, EMU shot 37.0 percent (20-of-54) from the field, while SU was only 2.1 percent better at 39.1 (18-of-46). The biggest disparity of the game came at the free throw line, as EMU finished just 4-of-6 (66.7 %) from the stripe, while SU was 20-of-26 (76.9 %). EMU controlled the paint, 28-20, while also totaling 13 points off its seven steals.
The Eagles extended the advantage to seven soon after, but SU hit its first three of the day at the 8:48 mark after starting 0-for-8, to cut into the lead. Midway through the half, EMU maintained its advantage, 15-13.
A pair of SU free throws tied the game, but Minnie responded with a three-ball to get the lead back. Syracuse continued to cash in from the charity stripe, tying the game again, and another Orange three gave them their first lead since the 16-minute mark, 21-18. A Jackson fast break layup made it a one-point contest at the final media timeout of the first half.
Down the stretch, both teams traded buckets, and EMU remained down just two with 30 seconds to go. With the final possession, a senior Tim Bond three-ball rimmed out, but Minnie was there to tip in the rebound right before the buzzer to make it 24-24 at the break.
Syracuse started the final stanza 7-0 run to take its largest lead of the night, 33-26. A thunderous Bond dunk got Eastern back within five at the first timeout.
Syracuse extended the lead to nine not long after, but the Eagles continued to battle, keeping it a five-point game with 11 minutes to play.
Eastern cut the deficit to just two on a Thompson layup and redshirt junior Terry Harris three pointer, but SU would not relinquish the lead, getting back up by six at the under eight timeout. The Orange rode the momentum to a 10-point advantage with six minutes to go, and extended it further before the under-four, 58-43. EMU would not get any closer, finishing with the 15-point defeat.
The Eagles close out the 2017 calendar year at home later this week against Rochester College, Friday, Dec. 29. Tip-off from the Convocation Center is set for 2 p.m.