Ypsilanti, MI (WKZO) -- Head coach Steve Hawkins called the Broncos previous game against Toledo the best game he’d seen from his team in years. He probably couldn’t say the same thing about Wednesday’s game against Eastern Michigan, as the Broncos lost in overtime to the Eagles 62-59.
EMU was behind or tied for 39:55 during regulation
WMU started strong scoring the first 5 points of the game. The Eagles then tied the game briefly at 5-5, but the Broncos responded with a 7-0 run to go up 12-5 with 13:43 to go in the half. EMU cut the lead to 2 at 14-12 after Derek Thompson drilled a 3 pointer with 9:32 remaining in the half.
The game stayed close for the remainder of the half as the Broncos were only able to increase their lead to 6 at 24-18 with 4:44 left. WMU scored 2 points after that point to take a 26-22 lead into the half.
After the break, WMU increased their lead to 9, 35-26, at the 15:24 mark, starting the 2nd half on a 9-4 run.
Quintin Daley then made back to back 3 pointers, cutting the Broncos lead to 35-32 with 13:14 left in the game. WMU was then held without a field goal for almost 7 minutes, but the Eagles could only manage 3 points during the same stretch.
An Antonio Green 3 pointer cut the lead to 1 at 42-41, with 5 minutes left. EMU once again brought the game down to a single point after J.R. Sims completed a 3 point play, bringing the score to 46-45 with 3:15 left.
Flenard Whitfield then completed his own 3 point play before fouling out with 2:32 remaining.
The Eagles tied the game with 57 seconds left for the first time since it was 5-5 at 50-50 after Sims made a 3 pointer from the corner. On the Broncos ensuing possession Shayne Whittington tried dumping the ball inside to Matt Stainbrook but it was stolen by EMU’s Jarnell Harris.
Eastern finally took the lead for the first time all game after Antonio Green made a straight way 3 pointer leaving the Broncos only 4.8 seconds to tie the game.
Mike Douglas found Nate Hutchenson in the corner and as time expired Hutchenson drilled a contested 3 to take the game into overtime.
During overtime the Broncos scored the first basket, but back to back baskets by the Eagles put them up for good. WMU did have a final chance to force a 2nd overtime but Whittington air balled a desperation 3 pointer as time ran out and the Broncos failed to win their 3rd straight MAC game.
With the loss, the Broncos drop to 8-10 and 2-2 in MAC play. EMU improved their record to 8-10 and 3-1 in the MAC with the win.
GAME NOTES: Nate Hutchenson came within 1 point of tying his career high, as he finished with 23…Matt Stainbrook was the only other Bronco to score in double figures, as he ended the game with 12. Stainbrook also had a team high 7 rebounds…The Broncos committed 20 turnovers…Antonio Green had 11 to lead to the Eagles…WMU shot the ball 20 for 46 (43.5%) and held EMU to just 37% from the floor…Demetrius Ward and Mike Douglas each played 40 minutes or more…Douglas led the team in assists with 8…Broncos head coach Steve Hawkins had been 16-2 in his career against Eastern Michigan...The Broncos next game is at home, Saturday afternoon against Central Michigan. Game time is set for 2pm.
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