The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team defeated Mid-American Conference East Division leader Akron, 62-59, on Monday.

The Eagles (11-10, 3-5) were led by forward Jay Higgins, as he hit five 3-pointers en route to 17 points. It marked the seventh time this season Higgins has scored in double figures and represented his highest point total in conference play thus far.

The game was close throughout, with Akron (15-7, 5-3) leading 55-54 with 4:11 to play. The scored stayed the same until the 1:54 mark, when Higgins made his fifth 3-pointer of the game to put EMU on top for good.

Next up for the Eagles is Kent State University (15-7, 6-2) today at the Convocation Center. Tip off is at 7 p.m.

English likes size of recruits.

The EMU football team has added 24 players to its 2010 roster.

“This recruiting class is big on size,” EMU coach English said in a release. “We addressed our needs up front on both sides of the ball. We also have several players in this class with explosive speed.”

The players added consists of 13 incoming freshmen, six players already enrolled at Eastern, four junior college transfers and one transfer from Lousiville.

The commitment list includes two players from in-state.

Kelip Goodwin, a 6-foot-1 safety out of South Haven, was recruited in 2009 and will have freshman eligibility in ‘10. Incoming 6-7 offensive lineman Robert McFadden played at Carman Ainsworth and was named an All-Area selection by The Flint Journal.