In a high-stakes battle at the Gervin GameAbove Center, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team fell just one point short in a 76-75 double-overtime loss to Kent State. The narrow defeat marks the Eagles' third consecutive loss to the Golden Flashes, moving their season record to 9-11 overall and 3-5 in Mid-American Conference play. In a contest defined by its intensity, the game saw 12 lead changes and was tied nine times, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
A tale of two halves
The Golden Flashes controlled the opening period, heading into the locker room with a 31-23 lead. Kent State reached its largest lead of 13 points during the contest, fueled by a strong performance from Rob Whaley Jr., who finished with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting.
However, the Eagles refused to go away quietly. Eastern Michigan roared back in the second half, outscoring Kent State 35-27 to force the game into overtime. The surge was characterized by dominance in the paint, where the Eagles outscored the Golden Flashes 40-26 over the course of the afternoon. This interior presence was vital in erasing the deficit and providing EMU with a chance to steal the victory at home.
Star performances and defensive grit
Mohammad Habhab delivered a standout performance for the Eagles, recording a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Habhab was a central figure in the Eagles' comeback, also protecting the rim with four blocks. Addison Patterson was equally vital, contributing 17 points and leading a relentless defensive effort with a game-high eight steals. Patterson’s activity was a major component of an EMU defense that recorded 14 steals as a team.
The Eagles' bench and secondary scorers also provided critical sparks. Mak Manciel and Braelon Green each finished with 11 points, while Merritt Alderink hit two crucial three-pointers to help keep the Eagles in contention during the late stages of regulation.
Overtime thrills
The intensity only increased in the extra periods. Both teams fought to a standstill in the first overtime, each scoring 11 points. The Eagles' efficiency from the charity stripe was a saving grace; the team shot 88.2% (15-of-17) from the free-throw line, compared to Kent State's 78.6%.
In the second overtime, Kent State managed to outpace the Eagles 7-6 to secure the one-point victory. Kent State's Delrecco Gillespie played a significant role in the win, recording 13 points and 12 rebounds. Despite the Eagles' advantage in second-chance points (13-4) and fast-break points (19-2), the Golden Flashes' slightly higher field goal percentage (39.7% vs EMU's 35.1%) ultimately made the difference.
Looking ahead
With this result, Eastern Michigan currently sits in a three-way tie for eighth place in the MAC standings. The Eagles forced 18 turnovers and demonstrated significant resilience, but they will need to learn to close out tight games as conference play intensifies. EMU will look to break their current three-game losing streak against Kent State when they next meet on the hardwood.
