Eagles Drop 100 Points to Wrap Up Non-Conference Slate

Highlights.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Closing out the 2014 calendar year, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team ended its record-breaking non-conference slate by cruising to a 100-42 victory over Concordia University Sunday afternoon, Dec. 28, at the Convocation Center. With the convincing win, the Eagles enter Mid-American Conference play with an 11-2 record for the most non-conference victories in program history since joining the Mid-American Conference prior to the 1974-75 season.

The Eagles reached the century mark in points for the first time in the Rob Murphy era. The previous high of an Eastern ballclub coached by Murphy was 95 points, coincidentally against Concordia last season, Nov. 12, 2013. The last time EMU recorded 100 points in a game was Nov. 14, 2008 in a 119-48 victory over Marygrove, a span of 197 games.

Five Eagles reached double figures in scoring on the afternoon. Karrington Ward (Lockport, Ill.-Lockport Township (Moraine Valley C.C.)) led all scorers with 15 points along with eight boards, while Mike Samuels (Bushkill, Pa.-Stroudburg North (Indiana State)) added a career-high 12 points. Guards Raven Lee (Detroit, Mich.-Romulus) and Mike Talley (Detroit, Mich.-Melvindale ABT (Duquesne)) had 10 points each as Lee scored all of his in the second half. Freshman Ethan Alvano (Corona, Calif.-Corona) also recorded double digits for the first time in his young EMU career with 10 points.

EMU shot a season-best 55.0 percent from the floor by converting 33-of-60 from the field. The Green and White also improved its season free throw percentage by knocking down 25-of-30 from the line for an impressive 83.3 percent clip. The Eagles forced 20 turnovers, leading to 32 points, including 18 on the fastbreak. The paint was controlled by the home squad as well, 46-10, and the Eastern bench contributed with 47 points.

Concordia (8-4) struggled figuring out EMU's 2-3 zone defense, shooting just 15-of-53 from the floor for 28.3 percent. The Cardinals took over half of their shots from long range, going 8-of-29 from beyond the arc. Alec Turner was the leading Cardinal scorer with nine points.

Anali Okoloji (Brooklyn, N.Y.-Impact Academy (George Mason)) started off with the first four points of the contest to give the Green and White a fast start. After a Concordia free throw, Ward made one of his own along with an offensive putback. Following the addition of a bucket by Samuels, EMU had a 9-1 cushion, holding the Cardinals without a basket in the first four minutes of play. When the visitors finally sank their first shot from the field, the Eagles rattled off eight-straight points to build a 14-point lead at the 12:37 mark of the first half.

The margin escalated as EMU made 7-of-9 shots compared to the Cardinals converting just a pair of their first nine shots. Another Concordia bucket was answered by an Eagles' 10-0 run to increase the margin to 27-5. Hot shooting coupled with stifling defense, the Green and White continued to dominate the game on both sides of the floor. As the buzzer sounded to bring an end to the opening half, EMU matched its season high in first half points to lead Concordia, 47-16.

The Eagles shot a blistering 59.3 percent (16-of-27) from the floor for its highest shooting percentage in a half this season. Nine different Eagles scored led by Ward, who tallied 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting. Talley added seven first half points, while Okoloji and Samuels scored six points apiece. EMU held a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring the Cardinals 24-2 in that area. At the line, Eastern converted at a successful rate of 78.6 percent by knocking down 11-of-14.

Concordia was held to just 6-of-26 shooting for a 23.1 percent clip as the Green and White held an opponent to under 30 percent from the floor in one half for the seventh time this season. Luke Diekevers posted a team-high six first half points in 10 minutes.

Coming out for the second half, the Eagles did not look sluggish one bit as the lead grew to over 50 points. Coach Murphy emptied the bench to allow reserves to get game action for the remainder of the game. Jordan Martin (Detroit, Mich.-Chandler Park Academy (Oakland C.C.)) scored five second half points for a personal best, and Jerome Hunter posted six of his career-high eight points in the final 20 minutes. With the shot clock winding down, Jodan Price (Indianapolis, Ind.-Detroit Country Day (DePaul)) drilled a triple from the wing to put the Eagles at 100 points as well as the 58-point margin of victory.

Eastern Michigan will have 10 days off before ringing in the 2015 year with MAC play. In a battle of the birds, the Eagles will host the Cardinals of Ball State University Wednesday night, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the conference opener at the Convocation Center are available visiting the EMU Ticket Office, calling 734.487.2282 or visiting EMUTix.com.

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Team Stats

Karrington Ward

Mike Samuels

Ray Lee

Mike Talley

Players Mentioned

Ethan Alvano

Jerome Hunter

Ray Lee

Jordan Martin

Anali Okoloji

Jodan Price

Mike Samuels

Mike Talley

Karrington Ward

Players Mentioned

Ethan Alvano

Jerome Hunter

Ray Lee

Jordan Martin

Anali Okoloji

Jodan Price

Mike Samuels

Mike Talley

Karrington Ward

Eastern Michigan Athletics