Eastern Michigan University mens' basketball team (10-18, 5-12 MAC) hosted the Northern Illinois Huskies (8-18, 5-11 MAC) Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the George Gervin Above Center.
Tuesday's matchup between the Eagles and Huskies marked the 50th meeting since 1999. The win over the Huskies ties the series to 25-25. The Eagles' started the game slow against the Huskies, trailing 19-9 within the first eight minutes of the game. The Eagles then proceeded to go on a 31-15 point run to end the half with a 40-34 lead.
Freshman Noah Farrakahan was scorching hot from the field, scoring 23 first half points and finishing with a career high 31 point game on 78 percent shooting. Farrakhan added seven rebounds on top of four assists.
Entering the second half, the Huskies fought back into the game, tying the score at 60-60 with 8:18 remaining in the game. The Huskies eventually took the lead from the Eagles, 72-71 with 1:17 left on the clock.
With time running short, Center Mo Njie scored a go-ahead bucket, stealing the lead back for the Eagles, 73-72. With under a minute of regulation remaining, Senior Darion Spottsville recorded a massive defensive stop while time expired, securing a 74-72 MAC victory the for the Eagles.
Freshman Center Mo Njie finished the game with 16 total points and added four rebounds in the win.
Spottsville grabbed a career high of 11 rebounds to go along with eight points and a game-winning defensive performance to hold off the Huskies at the buzzer.
During the post game press conference hosted by EMU athletics, coach Stan Heath commended the Eagles' performance.
“I’m extremely proud of the guys. I thought that we handled the good and bad, all the adversity to hang on,“ Coach Heath said.
The Eagles travel to Cleveland for the Mid-American Conference tournament this year.
The Eagles final three games of the regular season consist of two away games and a single home stand. The Eagles travel to Worthen Arena to battle the Ball State Cardinals (12-15, 7-9 MAC) on Feb. 26. Afterward, EMU returns home for the final home stand of the season, hosting the Western Michigan Broncos (6-22, 2-15 MAC) on Mar.1. The Eagles conclude the season traveling to Ohio, in a MAC matchup against the Redhawks (12-16, 6-11 MAC) on Friday, March 4.
