Eagles Nest Blog: February 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Eagles Bounce Back to beat Huskies

VS.

After a tough loss at home to Missouri State, EMU really needed a win, and some momentum going into these next few rivalry game. This game turned out to be a great game for Eastern Michigan. Eagles were able to take control early and maintain a decent lead. With this win EMU goes to 13-15 overall and 6-7 in the MAC.

       Northern Illinois came out furious after they were embarrassed at Eastern Michigan earlier in the year. NIU was so furious they had two technical fouls in the first half. EMU didn't let it affect them and still ended up with a win 53-41.

       Bryant and Thompson led the team both had 14 points. Bryant had 2 steals and 8 rebounds in this game. Ross came off the bench and had 8 points, Balkema with 6, and Sims with 5. EMU's zone defense was again a factor in this game, keeping NIU at 41 points.

       As a team the Eagles only had 12 turnovers all game. The Eagles had 11 steals, 3 blocks, and 28 rebounds. Harrison and Bryant both had 8 rebounds. EMU shot 38% overall, and 35% from 3. Thompson had 3, 3 pointers in this game.

        In the first half EMU was able to pull away getting a lead by as much as 10 points. Then going into half with a 30-22 lead. EMU was able to maintain this lead for pretty much the rest of the game. The Eagles led by 15 at one point.

        So EMU is still in contention for a 5 seed at the MAC tournament, fighting with Buffalo for it. This year the 1-5 seed's get a first round bye because Toledo isn't eligible for the post season. EMU has Western Michigan and Central Michigan left on the schedule.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Eastern Let's one Slip Away, Shocked at Home

VS.

        This was the final year of the "Bracketbuster" event. Eastern Michigan was set to play Missouri State out of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Eagles came into this game confident they could win. EMU had a 12-14 overall record coming into this game, and usually played very solid at home.

     Eastern Michigan started this game very strong. One of the best starts EMU has had all season with a couple of 3's, and a dunk by Riley. Eastern was able to keep a decent lead most of the game. EMU also had a lead by as much as 13 in the 2nd half.

      Thompson led the team with 19 points, and was hot from behind the arc. Thompson had 4 of the 8, 3 pointers in this game for EMU. He also had 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. JR Sims ended up with 11 points, Harper close behind with 9.

       As a team Eastern Michigan out rebounded the undersized Bears 31-26. EMU had 16 turnovers all game. As a team the Eagles had 5 steals, and 4 blocked shots. The Eagles shot 45% overall, as they shot the ball very well early in the game. Also shot 50% from 3 point range.

      Eastern Michigan choked big time in this loss. The Eagles had a 9 point lead with about 6 minutes to go, and let Missouri State get back into the game. EMU couldn't pull through late to hang onto a lead, and struggled from the free throw line shooting 54%.

       This team pretty much had this game wrapped up with the leads they had. Eastern Michigan played well all game long, getting rebounds, shooting the 3 better then they have most of the season. Playing good defense, forcing Missouri State to take bad shots, and forced a shot clock violation.

        EMU's season is coming to a close, EMU is 3 games back from first place in the MAC West. EMU has 3 games left on there schedule @NIU, vs. WMU, and @ CMU to end the season. EMU pretty much need's to win out in order to get any attention for post-season play. That would get EMU to a .500 record overall and at least a chance to go to some sort of tournament. Also you can't count out the MAC tournament. Winner of the MAC tourney will go to the NCAA tournament. If EMU can have a decent showing there, the Eagles could have a chance at a tournament.

       With this loss EMU goes to 12-15 overall, and it doesn't affect the conference record at all, which stays at 5-7. Final score in this one was 54-47.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Ohio Shuts Down EMU

VS.

Eastern Michigan knew that Ohio was a very strong team coming into this game. Ohio came out strong and they were able to take control of this game early. EMU wasn't able to make a run to try and get back into it as they take a loss 73-50. EMU will go to 12-14 overall and 5-7 in the conference.

Eastern has been known for their defense this year, but Ohio was able to get 10 offensive rebounds on EMU, and out rebounding EMU 32-30. The Eagles did not have any intensity coming into this game and started off very sluggish. Ohio had a 17-3 lead to start the game.

      The Eagles just had a lot of trouble making shots in this game. As a team the Eagles shot 27% overall, and 29% from 3 point range. This is what EMU really needs to work on is just shooting. EMU had problems scoring, rushing shots. They did a okay job sharing the ball. EMU still has to take smarter shots, and try and get points off of fast breaks.

      JR Sims led Eastern Michigan with 15 points, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds. Sims had 3 of the 5 EMU 3 pointers. Thompson and Ross both had 9 points, followed by Bryant with 7. The Eagles went deeper into their bench today as they brought 7 guys off the bench in this game.

      Matt Balkema came off the bench and was able to contribute with 6 of EMU's rebounds, along with 3 points. Ohio was able to get quite a few steals in this game most likely for careless ball handling, or not knowing where everyone was on the floor. EMU had 14 turnovers, 8 of them were steals by Ohio.

      Ohio did a nice job of sharing the ball, as they had 23 assists this game, they are #1 in the country when it comes to assists. Give a lot of credit to Ohio for defending their home court, and being to be able to play as well as they did. Ohio started the game 7 for 7, not missing a shot to start.

      EMU will now come back home and play a bracket buster game vs. Missouri State. The game is at Noon EST, and has quite a few promotions going on. EMU has there Car giveaway. It's also a black out, with a surprise by the EMU student section at halftime. Also the student section will get there EMU Game Face promotion for this game. The game will be followed by the Women's basketball team who will take on Western Michigan.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Eagles Get First Road Win With Stifling Defense

VS.

Eastern Michigan will leave Ball State with their first road win of the season. This is huge for the Eagles confidence now getting that much needed road win. EMU will go to 12-13 overall, and 5-6 in the MAC.

The Eagles started the game slow, and were down by as much as 9 in the first half. A late run in the first half tied the game at 24 going into halftime with some momentum. The Eastern Michigan defense was outstanding for the most part in this game. EMU forced Ball State to 6 shot clock violations. No that is not a typo, 6 shot clock violations.

      EMU soon learned that Ball State did not have much of a defense in the paint, which allowed the EMU Point Guards to rush the paint and get some baskets. JR Sims had a outstanding game with 18 points.

      Glenn Bryant had a 20 point game, the 2nd player to have a 20 point game this season for EMU. Bryant also had 2 blocks in this game. Harper had 6 points while Ross, and Strickland both had 3.

       As a team Eastern Michigan had 8 steals, 4 blocks and 12 assists. Harper led the team with 7 of those 12 assists. EMU shot 56% overall, and 45% from 3. Sims went 4/5 from 3 point range. The Eagles had problems at the free throw line against the Cardinals shooting 46% from the line.

       EMU had 15 turnovers all game, while Ball State had 17. The Eagles bench also came through with 13 points. EMU had 22 points in the paint.

     Late in the game EMU was up by as much as 13. Ball State was really trying to get a comeback with about 2 minutes left. The Cardinals pulled within 5, with EMU unable to make some key free throws. EMU was then able to share the ball to get some quick baskets to hold onto a lead.

      It was good for EMU to get this win from Ball State on their home floor after the Cardinals came to the Convo and robbed EMU of a 2 point win.

      EMU will move on to play a tough Ohio Bobcats team in Athens Ohio. Following that game The Eagles will come back home on the 23rd, for their bracket buster game vs. Missouri State. Be sure to wear black for the black out. Also there will be a car giveaway, and autograph sessions following the game. For the Eagle Nation student secetion, there will be teh EMU game face promotion.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Late Run for Akron pushes Zips Past Eagles

VS.

EMU had a chance to spoil a long win streak that Akron has held on to. But a late Akron run pulled them ahead to take a close win over the Eagles. EMU played a very tough game that kept them in it most of the game. The Eagles needed to keep up Akron's scoring but couldn't in the 70-62 loss.

A hard fought game for the Eagles, but wasn't quite enough to pull out the upset. The Eagles did a very nice job keeping up with the Zips score wise. Most of them game EMU was within 2 or 4 points. Then late in the game, Akron's Brian Walsh pulled the zips away with some three pointers.

    Eastern had a solid day defending the Zips, being able to get to players before they would take a shot. EMU forced 20 turnovers against Akron, a team that averages around 12 a game. Eastern Michigan had 2 blocks and 11 steals, 3 of those steals came from Riley under the basket.

     In the first half Akron had a lot of 2nd chance opportunities, the Zips were able to rebound very well, and force up a basket. Also in the first half, EMU had quite a bit of fast break opportunities where they had number but couldn't quite get the ball to fall through while getting fouled on some of the breaks.

      The big guy's for EMU had to contain Marshall, and Treadwell for Akron all game, Balkema and Riley did a decent job keeping up with them, but Akron was a all around good team. I was very impressed with the way Eastern Michigan played today even though the Eagles couldn't pull out a win.

     The bench really came to play, since Thompson was out in the game. Sims and Strickland both had 10 points, but Bryant led the team with 11 points. Ross wasn't far behind with 9, followed by Harrison with 7, and Riley with 6.

       As a team EMU had only 14 turnovers, and 22 rebounds. Eagles also managed to get 11 steals against the Zips. As a team EMU shot 37% both from the field and behind the arc.

     The Eagles are off to play at Ball State next, looking for a much needed win. Still a way's to go in conference play.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

EMU Struggles in loss to Toledo

VS.

The Eagles traveled to Toledo to play the 10-10 Rockets, but couldn't find a way to finish. Toledo pulled away late and got a 8 point win, 60-52 over the now 11-12 Eagles. Neither team had a solid game, but it was still a close game pretty much the entire game. Toledo lead most of the game usually sustaining a 4 point lead.

EMU had a lot of problems finding the bottom of the net, shooting only 33% in this game. The Eagles have had many problems on the road this year, but the defense was able to keep EMU in this game for a long time. In the first half both teams were taking shots at each other, exchanging the lead many times. EMU went into halftime only down 2.

     The 2nd half EMU had problems getting into a groove, and Toledo was able to keep a consitent lead. Toward the end of the game EMU of course tried making a comeback. The Eagles had back-to-back three pointers by Harrison and Ross to pull EMU back within 2. But from there Toledo was able to win the game with free throws that they struggled with early.

      Harrison had a career high game with 19 points, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Bryant had 9 points, Riley, and Thompson both had 6 points. Harrison also had a great game rebounding with 10 rebounds, getting help from Riley who had 13. EMU shot 33% from the field as a team, and 23% from 3 point range. The Eagles also had 8 blocks, and 7 steals.

      After EMU's best offensive game vs. Buffalo on Wednesday, and only having 4 turnovers all game, they come out of this game with 19 turnovers against Toledo., and 23 personal fouls.

       It was a game EMU needed to win to get closer to 1st place in the MAC West after Western Michigan had lost to Ball State earlier in the day. But EMU has to keep fighting to get back into the race, and it's not going to get any easier for EMU. The Eagles will host Akron, and then travel to Ball State and Ohio.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

EMU Stomps the Bulls at Home

A much needed win for Eastern Michigan over Buffalo. One of the most impressive games EMU has played this year, in a 65-46 win. The Eagles improve to 11-11 overall, and 4-4 in the MAC, trying to catch up with rival Western Michigan who leads the MAC West.

The best performance of the year for Eastern Michigan's basketball team. Played outstanding defense all game, and much improved offense in this game. EMU shot the ball much better, and were able to get 2nd chances. EMU's big guy's like Bryant, Riley and Balkema were able to rebound very well, and get some put-backs.

      EMU was much more physical and aggressive in this game, including the guards, Jalen Ross, and Austin Harper who had 10 points. EMU was getting to the basket and taking some very smart shots, and able to score with ease.

      This was a step in the right direction for EMU, only having 4 turnovers all game. Just to be in single digit's is quite an accomplishment for EMU, by far the best the Eagles have done in this category all season long.

      Glenn Bryant had a monster game, with 17 points, 4 blocks, 1 steal, and went 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Bryant had a monster dunk to help put some intensity in this team. Harrison also with a good game having 9 points, and 5 rebounds to help out.

       But EMU has to give Matt Balkema a lot of credit in this game. He was absolutely phenomenal in this game. He was so physical in the paint and was able to get a lot of the put-backs for EMU and a lot of the rebounds. He ended up with a total of 7 points.

       As a team EMU scored 65 points, the 2nd most points EMU has scored this year. EMU scored 66 points in the first game of the season. EMU shot 47%, and 28% from 3 point range.

       From here EMU will go on to play at Toledo on Saturday.