The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) men’s basketball team faced a difficult road test on Saturday, Feb. 21, dropping a 94-75 decision to the University of Toledo Rockets at Savage Arena. Despite a relentless individual performance from standout Mohammad Habhab, the Eagles were unable to overcome a clinical offensive display by the Rockets.
Habhab continues statistical surge
In a season defined by his consistency, Mohammad Habhab once again led the way for Eastern Michigan. The Dearborn native finished the night with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, coming just a single board shy of recording his 11th double-double of the season. Habhab was aggressive in attacking the rim, resulting in a career-high nine made free throws on ten attempts.
Beyond his scoring, Habhab remained a defensive anchor, recording a block to extend his streak of consecutive games with at least one rejection to 12. This performance marked his 22nd game in double digits this season and his sixth time surpassing the 20-point plateau.
Supporting cast and bench contributions
While the Rockets’ defense focused heavily on neutralizing EMU’s primary options, Mehki Ellison provided a vital spark off the bench. Ellison contributed 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and added two steals, marking his third double-digit scoring game of the year.
Other Eagles also made their presence felt in the box score:
- Mak Manciel knocked down two three-pointers to finish with eight points.
- Braelon Green and Godslove Nwabude each chipped in six points, with Green hitting a pair of triples.
- Merritt Alderink matched his season high with six points, continuing his recent trend of efficient play.
- In the game's closing moments, Cooper Smith recorded a memorable milestone by scoring his first points of the season on a hook shot.
- Mbaye N'Diaye also found the scoresheet, netting two points—his first since early December.
A tale of two halves
The Rockets established control early, utilizing a high-octane transition game to build a 24-point lead midway through the first half. The Eagles showed resilience with a 6-0 scoring spurt to try and close the gap, but Toledo’s shooting—which hovered at 68.8% in the first half—sent EMU into the locker room trailing 51-29.
Eastern Michigan adjusted in the second half, actually outscoring Toledo 46-43 over the final 20 minutes. The Eagles improved their field goal percentage to 53.1% in the latter frame and managed to cut the deficit to 17 points with seven minutes remaining. However, the Rockets’ overall 67.3% field goal efficiency for the game proved too much to bridge.
Notably, the Toledo defense managed to snap a major streak for the Eagles; Addison Patterson, who had scored in double digits for 15 consecutive games, was held to just five points. Patterson did, however, match his career high with two blocks.
The road ahead: Undefeated Miami awaits
The loss moves Eastern Michigan to 10-18 overall and 4-11 in the Mid-American Conference. While the outcome at Toledo was a setback, the Eagles have no time to dwell on it as they prepare for arguably their biggest home game of the year.
Eastern will return to Ypsilanti to host No. 22 Miami University on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The RedHawks arrive with a perfect 27-0 record and a 14-0 mark in conference play. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Fans are encouraged to pack the stands as the Eagles look to play spoiler against the undefeated MAC leaders.
