Basketball - The Eastern Echo

Eagles outpaced by the Cardinals in their MAC home opener

By Eugene Evans · Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014

Eastern Michigan University head coach Tory Verdi knew the pace of the game was being dictated by Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference home opener Thursday night. Ball State outrebounded EMU in the first half 23-16.

The team talks quick before a free throw attempt in Eastern Michigan's 56-51 win over Bowling Green Wednesday night.

Eagles edge out Bowling Green in MAC opener

By Derrick Vergolini · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

Scoring 56 points Wednesday night in front of 1,205 at the Stroh Center, it was the second-lowest point total through 14 games for Eastern Michigan University. Yet it was enough to top Bowling Green State University in the teams’ Mid-American Conference opener, 56-51. “It’s always good to win, especially when you don’t play exceptionally well,” EMU coach Rob Murphy said.

EMU guard Cha Sweeney (24) drives to the hoop against Lawrence Tech Tuesday afternoon. Sweeney finished with 21 points.

Women's basketball to face Ball State University

By Derrick Vergolini · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team is putting its perfect home record on the line Thursday when Ball State University comes to town. Tip-off at the Convocation Center is set for 7 p.m.

EMU guard Jalen Ross (21) scored 7 points for Eastern in their 92-54 win over Rochester College Saturday afternoon.

Eagles soar to screen

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball Jan. 25 meeting against Ohio University has been picked up by ESPNU, the league office announced Monday.

EMU's Jan. 25 home game against Ohio to be televised on ESPNU

By Eugene Evans · Monday, Jan. 6, 2014

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball Jan. 25 meeting against Ohio University has been picked up by ESPNU, the league office announced Monday. Ohio and Eastern Michigan will square off at 11 a.m.

EMU forward Natachia Watkings (50) goes in for the lay up against Lawrence Tech Tuesday afternoon.

EMU women off to their best start since the 2004-05 season

By Eugene Evans and Derrick Vergolini · Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014

Over winter break, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team went 4-0 improving its mark to 11-1 and 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference.

Eagles rout Rochester to end non-conference schedule

By Derrick Vergolini · Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014

Coming off consecutive losses to top-10 ranked teams at Duke and Syracuse, Eastern Michigan University returned to the Convocation Center Saturday seeking a win in its final non-conference game of the regular season. Shooting 59.6 percent from the field and outrebounding Rochester College 43-25, the Eagles splashed a 38-point win over the Warriors, 92-54. “To end the non-conference schedule with a convincing win is good,” EMU coach Rob Murphy said.

EMU guard Ray Lee had 12 points in Eastern Michigan's 95-50 win over Concordia Tuesday night.

Turnovers lead to EMU's 70-48 loss against Syracuse

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014

After Raven Lee made a long-range shot from the wing to put Eastern Michigan University up 3-2, things turned sour as turnovers led to its 70-48 loss to the Syracuse University Orange at the Carrier Dome on Dec.

EMU forward Karrington Ward (14) scored 11 points in 22 minutes in Eastern Michigan's 69-57 loss to Massachusetts Tuesday night.

EMU falls to Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium

By Eugene Evans · Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013

Eastern Michigan University’s poor shooting contributed to its 82-59 loss against the No. 9-ranked Duke University Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., on Saturday. EMU (7-4) went 21-of-56 (37.5 percent) from the field and 4-for-18 from long range.

EMU guard Darell Combs (25) led the way with a career high 23 points in Eastern Michigan's 81-63 loss to Kentucky Wednesday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky.

Eagles fall to Kentucky, 81-63

By Eugene Evans · Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013

For Raven Lee and Karrington Ward, the environment of being at Rupp Arena appeared to affect their production as they combined for seven points in Eastern Michigan University’s 81-63 loss to the No.

EMU guard Mike Talley (1) sets up the play in Eastern Michigan's 67-58 win over Green Bay Tuesday night. Talley had 11 points and 4 assists.

Talley steps up in EMU's overtime win

By Eugene Evans · Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013

With the inconsistency at the point guard position all-season long, Mike Talley stepped up and led Eastern Michigan University to its first road win of the season 81-79 over Oakland University in overtime at the Athletics Center O’rena on Saturday. Talley posted career-highs in points (21) and assists (9) along with no turnovers. “I felt like I had to get my team involved today,” Talley said after the game on WEMU 89.1.

Jenay Morton averaged 22.0 points per game and shot 35.9 percent from the floor last week.

Morton’s offense earns her MAC West Player of the Week

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013

Eastern Michigan University guard Janay Morton was named the Mid-American Conference Women’s Basketball West Division Player of the Week, the conference office announced on Dec. 16.

This marks the first time Lee has earned Player of the Week honors.

EMU point guard cruises as MAC West Player of the Week

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013

Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball guard Raven Lee was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week, the league office on Dec. 16. It was the first time the Detroit native has won the award in his career.

Hughley (left) is averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.

Hughley a force on the court, in the classroom

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013

Graduate students often have a much larger workload and more demands on their time than those who are taking undergraduate classes. Try being a student-athlete at the same time.

Ajayi is averaging 1 point and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Basketball provides opportunity for Ajayi

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013

Olalekan Ajayi is a sophomore center on the Eastern Michigan University basketball team who transferred from Collin College in Plano, Texas.

Freshman guard Janay Morton (13) tied a season and career-high with 23 points in Sunday’s 104-96 win over the University of Detroit Mercy Titans.

Women's basketball team proves to be too much for Titans

By Brandon Karsten · Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team beat the University of Detroit Mercy Titans in a high scoring affair inside Calihan Hall 104-96 Sunday.

Lee is averaging 13.3 points per game this season.

Lee bouncing back after missing most of last season.

By Brandon Karsten · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball guard Raven Lee was a scoring machine against the University of Texas-Arlington on Nov. 23.

Raven Lee led the Eagles with 17 points, nine of which came in the second half. He was 7-for-8 from the line throughout the whole game.

EMU knocks off Wisconsin-Green Bay, 67-58

By Derrick Vergolini · Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Guards Raven Lee and Mike Talley led the Eastern Michigan University offense in the second half to snap the team’s three-game losing skid Tuesday night.

Eagles win again on road, beat Loyola 82-64

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013

With high tempo offense and suffocating defense, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team earned a non-conference road victory on Dec. 4 by defeating Loyola University 82-64, improving to 5-0 on the season for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

EMU's bench celebrates after a huge basket in Eastern Michigan's overtime win over Butler Wednesday night.

Women’s basketball beats UMKC, still undefeated

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team took on the University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos, winning 75-66 in a “home game” at the Activities Center on the campus of Madonna University in Livonia, Mich.