Eastern Michigan University lost 72-40 to Michigan State Sunday at the Convocation Center.
For the Eagles (4-2), J.R. Sims led the way with 14 points. For the Spartans (4-2), Draymond Green led the way with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Michigan State dominated the boards, outrebounding Eastern 49-29. When asked about rebounding Coach Rob Murphy said, “It was the first time we
didn’t win the rebounding battle. Rebounding is what hurt us.”
The Spartans capitalized off of their 14 offensive rebounds to score 24 second-chance points.
The Eagles scored the first basket, but that would be the only lead they would hold all night. The first half was shaky for both teams as they both shot under 50 percent from the field and each team only made one three pointer.
Coach Izzo said he was impressed with his team defensively as it was able to take EMU’s point guard Darrell Lampley out the game.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm. Murphy said, “We weren’t able to execute on offense.”
The score at the half was 25-13 with the Spartans leading.
The Spartans came out of halftime and pushed the tempo and were led by Keith Appling. When asked about what changed, Tom Izzo said “Keith ran our team, and we took a step forward.”
The Spartans seemed to have found their rhythm and kept their lead at 20 points for most of the second half. Both teams couldn’t take advantage of open shot opportunities and when asked, Izzo said, “We just didn’t make many threes. Byrd, Austin and Appling need to make more shots.”
The Spartans did do a great job on the inside scoring 46 points in the paint while the eagles only had 16. The Spartans inside game was led by Adreian Payne. Izzo said Payne has freakish athletic ability.
For most of the game it seemed like the Eagles couldn’t do what they wanted. Murphy said, “They didn’t allow Darrell Lampley to get into their seams.”
A highlight for the Eagles though was the 16 turnovers the Spartans committed. Tom Izzo said guard play was a little shaky, and they played against more zone which will help them.
Murphy was happy with his team’s defense and said, “We did a good job with our zone.”
Michigan State’s next game will be against Florida State in the Big 10-ACC challenge.
The Eagles have another tough test as they head to New York to play against No. 5 Syracuse. That game will be like a homecoming game for Murphy as he was an assistant for the Orange before coming to Eastern.
When asked if this game would help prepare his team he said, “It doesn’t do much for us. Syracuse is a different team.” He also wouldn’t comment
on the scandal that surrounds the Orange.
