Winning in its last five of seven trips to McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich., the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team was in search of adding to that record against in-state and Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan University. After a battle that would see an extra five minutes with overtime, the Chippewas would outlast the Eagles, 65-62.
The Eagles were without star junior guard Tyson Acuff (Detroit, Mich.) as he missed his third-straight game with an ankle injury. Acuff was the Eagles' leading scorer all year as he averaged 21.7 points per game this season, which leads the MAC and ranks seventh in the nation. The Detroit native is also averaging 37.9 minutes per game, which leads the MAC while ranking third in the country.
Freshman guard Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia) led the Eagles offensively as he finished with a team-high 15 points while junior forward Yusuf Jihad (Farmington Hills, Mich.) added 13 points. Junior forward Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio) would chip in 11 points.
Osojnik finishes the season first in the MAC in scoring by a true freshman, as he averaged 8.6 points per game on the year.
It was all CMU within the first 10 minutes of play as the Chippewas started off hot, hitting multiple three-pointers to run out to a 21-6 lead with 11:43 left in the first half. The Eagles would then produce a 15-5 run highlighted by two buckets from Billingsley as they managed to cut the deficit, 26-21, with 2:03 left before halftime.
The Chippewas would close out the first half and enter halftime with a 29-23 advantage over the Eagles.
EMU entered the second half full throttle as they rattled off 13 points to take the Chippewas lead, 36-31, with 13:58 left in the second half. As CMU struggled to get anything going offensively, the Eagles would continue to pour it on as they extended their lead, 47-36, highlighted by six points from Jihad.
CMU would answer back from the Eagles' run with a 16-5 run of their own to cut the EMU lead within two, 54-52, with 2:57 left to play. After a free throw from Billingsley would extend the Eagles' lead to three, CMU's Paul McMillian IV would sink a three-pointer to tie the game at 55, all with 31 seconds left to play.
McMillian IV would have the chance at another three-pointer to give CMU the lead with seven seconds left to play, but he would ultimately miss the shot and the game would be sent to overtime.
The extra five minutes of play would be all CMU as they outscored the Eagles 10-7 to secure a 65-62 win.
The difference maker in the matchup would be the attack on the glass as the Chippewas would outrebound EMU, 60-38. Additionally, CMU would haul in 25 offensive rebounds.
Despite the loss, EMU has found success in games decided by 10 points or less this season, holding a 12-7 record in that category. EMU is also now 8-4 in games decided by four points or less.
The Eagles finish the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 13-18 while going 6-12 through Mid-American Conference play. EMU has now failed to qualify for the MAC Tournament for four straight seasons.
EMU head coach Stan Heath finishes his third season at the helm of the Eagles with a 31-61 record.
After recording more losses than wins this year, it now marks the 32nd losing season in EMU men's basketball history.
CMU finishes the season with an 18-13 overall record and 12-6 in the MAC as they secured the four-seed in the MAC Tournament.
To stay up-to-date on the EMU men's basketball team as they enter the offseason, visit The Echo's website.
