In a matchup that began as a gritty, back-and-forth defensive struggle, the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team ultimately saw the game slip away in the second half, falling 100-65 to rival Central Michigan University on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.
Despite a competitive opening frame that saw the Eagles hold a lead for significant stretches, a second-half surge by the Chippewas turned the 210th meeting between these two programs into a lopsided affair.
A battle of inches in the first half
The game, broadcast on ESPN+ and WEMU 89.1 FM, started with the intensity expected of the most frequent matchup in EMU history. Central Michigan’s Nathan Claerbaut opened the scoring with a jumper at the 19:16 mark, but the Eagles responded immediately. Mak Manciel ignited the Eastern offense early, draining a three-pointer off an assist from Addison Patterson to give EMU a 5-2 lead.
The first half was defined by lead changes and mini-runs. After CMU regained a slight edge, the Eagles put together a disciplined stretch of basketball. A tip-in and subsequent free throw by Godslove Nwabude pushed Eastern ahead 12-8. The Eagles’ defense was particularly active during this period; Mohammad Habhab and John Shanu II combined for three blocks in the first twenty minutes, frustrating CMU’s attempts to score in the paint.
Eastern reached its high-water mark midway through the half. Following another Manciel three-pointer, Gregory Lawson connected from deep at the 8:55 mark to give the Eagles a 23-17 lead, their largest of the night. At that moment, Eastern appeared to have the momentum necessary to snap its losing streak in Mount Pleasant.
The tide turns before the break
However, the Chippewas began to chip away at the deficit. Phat Phat Brooks and Nathan Claerbaut led the charge for CMU, utilizing second-chance opportunities from offensive rebounds. Despite the pressure, Manciel continued his hot shooting, finishing the half with 15 points.
The final minutes of the first half were a precursor to the struggle that would follow. After a dunk by CMU’s Tamario Adley tied the game at 32-32, Addison Patterson briefly regained the lead for EMU with a layup. But a late three-pointer by Logan McIntire and a layup by Keenan Garner allowed the Chippewas to enter the locker room with a 38-36 lead.
Second half surge buries the Eagles
While the first half was a two-point game, the second half told a different story. While the halftime score was 38-36, the final score ballooned to 100-65. This suggests a massive offensive explosion by Central Michigan, which outscored Eastern 62-29 over the final 20 minutes of play.
The Eagles struggled to maintain the defensive intensity that had kept them in the game early on. While Patterson managed to reach nine points and Lawson contributed seven by the end of the first half, the offensive production stalled as the Chippewas found their rhythm. The loss marks a disappointing turn for an EMU team that had recently shown immense resilience, such as erasing a 21-point deficit against Bowling Green just ten days prior.
Statistical leaders and history
For the Eagles, Mak Manciel was the standout performer, providing the bulk of the early scoring with 15 points. Addison Patterson contributed not only on the scoreboard but also on the defensive end with a steal and three rebounds in the first half alone. On the CMU side, Nathan Claerbaut proved to be a handful, recording 11 points and five rebounds by the midway point.
This loss brings the Eagles' all-time record against the Chippewas to 101 wins and 109 losses. It also marks a significant departure from their last meeting on Feb. 28, 2025, where the Eagles secured an 84-73 win.
Looking ahead
The Eagles, who currently sit in a tie for the final MAC Tournament spot, will need to regroup. Following this tough road trip to Mount Pleasant, the team will travel to face the University of Massachusetts on Saturday, Jan. 31. With the conference schedule tightening, Eastern must find a way to replicate its first-half energy over a full 40 minutes if it hopes to secure a postseason berth.
