In a close game between these two in-state teams, Eastern Michigan got the win at home over Detroit Mercy in a battle of star guards.
Both Antoine Davis and Emoni Bates had good first-half performances
Antoine Davis got off to a quick start with 10 points entering the 10-minute mark in the first half and Bates had 11 points early on in the game, including making three for three beyond the arc. Davis finished the first half with 17 points shooting 50% from the field on six of twelve shooting. Bates had 14 points going into the second half as well as three rebounds.
Yusuf Jihad had his best half of the season
Jihad started off his collegiate career at Oakland and had his best half of the season scoring 14 points on five for nine shooting from the field and making both of his three-point attempts. Jihad had not played much this season entering this game and his contribution off the bench helped the Eagles play well in the first half.
Eastern Michigan played well offensively in the first half
The Eagles shot 43.3% from the field on 13 for 30 shooting and made six out of nine attempts from three-point range. Eastern Michigan made all 15 of the free throw attempts in the first half as well. The Eagles used their efficiency on offense in the first half to go into halftime with a 10-point lead.
Detroit Mercy played better in the second half
With 11 minutes remaining in the game, the Titans narrowed the Eagle’s lead to only two points. Gerald Liddell and A.J. Oliver played well in the second half on both ends of the floor. Davis continued to play well in the second half and Detroit Mercy as a team stepped up their defensive intensity. With just over eight minutes remaining in the game, the Titans took a 62-61 lead. Detroit Mercy took the lead again with just under six minutes when Davis made two free throws to make it a 67-65 Titans lead.
The Eagles were led by Bates, Jihad, and Tyson Acuff
All three were in double digits in scoring and Acuff at times played excellent defense on Davis. Bates led his team in points scored with 19 points and making all of his free throw attempts. Acuff had 18 points and he also made all of his free-throw attempts and he ended up with six assists as well. Jihad ended the game with 17 points and five rebounds and like Bates and Acuff made all of his free throw attempts.
Eastern Michigan wins a very close game
Eastern Michigan made their free throws and pulled away late to escape with a 79-77 win over Detriot Mercy. This game featured two highly talented players in Bates and Davis but the Eagles found a way to win in front of the home crowd with good defense down the stretch and the Titans were unable to make their three-pointers late in the second half to give them the road win.
The Eagles next play at South Carolina and the Titans travel to play at Cincinnati as both teams look to get ready for conference play in the near future.