The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team fell behind early to No. 2-ranked Michigan State. They lost 96-66 to the Spartans on Friday at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
At the half, the Eagles were down 49-33. The Spartans extended their lead and outscored the Eagles 47-33 in the second half.
The loss sends EMU’s all-time record against the Spartans to 3-27.
Eagles’ senior forward Brandon Bowdry led all of the scorers with a game-high, and career-best, of 32 points while matching his personal best in rebounds with 15. He made a career-best, five 3-pointers and also led the team in assists with a total of three.
“It’s a team game,” Eastern Michigan Coach Charles Ramsey told AnnArbor.com. “I applaud his effort— 32 and 15 —that’s what he’s capable of, but we need to get him more help.”
Junior guard Antonio Green added 12 points and was the only other Eagle who scored in double figures. Sophomore forward Jamell Harris led the team in blocked shots with a total of two.
Kalin Lucas led all Spartans in scoring with 18 points. Five other Spartans reached the double digits along with Lucas. Durrell Summers scored 17, Keith Appling 14, Draymond Green 12, Adreian Payne and Austin Thornton each added 10 points. Draymond Green also led the Spartans in rebounds with nine, in assists with seven and blocks with three.
MSU converted a lot of easy, fast-break points in the first half of missed jump shots by the Eagles, resulting in the difference in field-goal percentage.
MSU shot 52.5 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from behind the three-point line. The Eagles shot 31.6 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from behind the three-point line. The Eagles shot 38.9 percent from the foul line, while the Spartans shot 66.7 percent.
MSU slowly built the first half lead to 16 points by using the Eagles costly turnovers to their favor.
The Eagles next game will be against Madonna University at 12 p.m on Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the Convocation Center.
