Basketball - The Eastern Echo

EMU staff members recall their top NCAA memories

By Eugene Evans · Wednesday, March 20, 2013

From buzzer-beaters to early round upsets, the NCAA tournament has everything that even the casual fan wants to see and puts the rest of the sports world on hold as it gravitates to this phenomenon.

Junior Desyree Thomas faced a change in role this season.

Women reflect on disappointing season

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, March 17, 2013

In a season marred by injuries, constant lineup changes, the dismissal of senior Miranda Tate and a cut down in weekly practices due to sanctions imposed by the NCAA last spring, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team’s 8-22 season was not exactly what was expected.

Senior center Matt Balkema (45) attempts a three pointer at the buzzer of EMU’s 70-55 loss to WMU on Thursday.

Eagle men fall to WMU, 70-55, in MAC quarterfinals

By Al Willman · Friday, March 15, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team squared off against the Western Michigan University Broncos in its Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinal matchup Thursday night. Things just didn’t work out for the Eagles as the team fell 70-55, wrapping up the season for the green and white.

After scoring a career high 13 points and pulling down ten rebounds for his first career double-double Monday night, junior center Da’Shonte Riley put together another strong second half and finished with ten points. He was also one rebound shy (9) of his second double-double in as many games.

Eagle men move on to MAC quarterfinals with 58-47 win over Miami (Ohio)

By Al Willman · Thursday, March 14, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team took on the Miami University of Ohio RedHawks Wednesday night in the second round of the Mid-American Conference tournament at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Building off the win over Northern Illinois University on Monday, the Eagles cruised to a 58-47 victory over the RedHawks.

Senior forward Taylor Bird was honored on Senior Night, along with two others.

Farewell to women's basketball seniors

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team honored its three seniors at their March 6 game against Central Michigan University: Taylor Bird, Chelsea Hite and India Hairston. Before the game, I was able to get a few minutes of their time as well as their parting thoughts about their years at EMU.

Junior center Da’Shonte Riley scored a career-high 13 points in a season-high 36 minutes for EMU, and 11 of those points came in the first half alone. Riley was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor and 3-of-7 from the free throw line. His 11 rebounds sealed up his first career double-double. Riley also added four blocks.

Men's basketball moves on with 45-44 win over NIU

By Al Willman · Monday, March 11, 2013

Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball coach Rob Murphy was direct after his team’s 45-44 win over Northern Illinois University in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference tournament on Monday. “Tough, gritty game tonight,” Murphy said. Murphy may have understated things a little.

Desyree Thomas (11) finished Saturday’s 80-72 loss to WMU with 19 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Thomas was one rebound shy of the triple-double.

Women suffer early exit from MAC tournament with 80-72 loss to WMU

By Eugene Evans · Saturday, March 9, 2013

Despite junior Desyree Thomas coming up one rebound short of her first career triple-double, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team’s season came to an end courtesy of the Western Michigan University Broncos, 80-72 in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at the Convocation Center.

Men end regular season with 78-67 loss to Toledo

By Al Willman · Saturday, March 9, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team ended its 2012-13 regular season Saturday with a 78-67 loss to Mid-American Conference opponent University of Toledo Rockets. “I was super confident as a coach. After game planning, and practice and reviewing film and talking to our guys, I thought for sure we would win tonight,” EMU coach Rob Murphy said.

Junior guard Desyree Thomas has been a spark plug in the Eagle lineup of late. She has scored in double digits in four of the team’s last five games, averaging 10.2 points per game in that period. She scored 15 points in the team’s last game against WMU, a 73-69 victory on Feb. 23.

Women's basketball team sets sights on MAC tournament

By Al Willman · Thursday, March 7, 2013

March Madness is nearly upon us. The first step in the journey to the NCAA tournament is the Mid-American Conference tournament.

Junior forward Natachia Watkins (50) led the way for EMU with 18 points in Wednesday’s 63-56 loss to CMU.

Eagles women drop regular-season finale to CMU, 63-56

By Al Willman · Wednesday, March 6, 2013

This was not a good week for Eastern Michigan University’s basketball teams against Central Michigan University. Following a loss Tuesday night by the men’s team in Mt. Pleasant, the women’s team fell to the Chippewas on Wednesday night, 63-56, at the Convocation Center.

Eagles drop tough game against CMU, 61-59

By Al Willman · Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Despite a late effort from redshirt junior forward Glenn Bryant, the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team lost to in-state Mid-American Conference Rival Central Michigan University 61-59 in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Tuesday night.

Eagles women beat Northern Illinois 54-45

By Eugene Evans · Saturday, March 2, 2013

With the help of career-high scoring for junior Desyree Thomas and senior Chelsea Hite, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies, 54-45, in Dekalb, Ill., Thursday.

Daylen Harrison (35) scored 13 points in EMU’s 50-49 overtime thriller over WMU Saturday.

Eagles men win overtime thriller over WMU 50-49

By Al Willman · Saturday, March 2, 2013

Those who went home Saturday for spring break missed out on an overtime win for the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team over the Western Michigan University Broncos, 50-49.

Junior Sara Stone had six points and five steals in the game against WMU.

Eagles top WMU, look to NIU

By Al Willman · Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013

Coming off a 73-69 win over Mid-American Conference rival Western Michigan University on Saturday, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team (7-19 overall, 5-8 MAC) has their sights set on tonight’s matchup against the Northern Illinois University Huskies (7-19, 2-11 MAC) in Dekalb, Ill.

Men drop game to Ohio, 73-50

By Hannah Senda · Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team returned to Athens, Ohio, Wednesday to play the game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 30. EMU (12-14, 5-7 Mid-American Conference) played the Ohio University Bobcats (20-6, 11-1 MAC) in front of 5,932 people at Ohio’s Convocation Center. Coming off their first road win of the year, against Ball State University, the Eagles came up short, 73-50.

Women’s basketball loses in 2nd half run

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team was on the short end of a 31-6 run in the last 12:28 of the second half, which sealed the Eagles’ fate as they fell to the Ball State Cardinals, 56-34, on Wednesday at James E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind. The Eagles’ 34 points was the team’s lowest scoring total in a game this season.

Junior Natachia Watkins scored 13 points and had nine rebounds.

Eagles complete season sweep of Broncos, 73-69

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

Behind a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures, including junior Desyree Thomas’ career-high scoring, the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team completed its season sweep of the Western Michigan Broncos, 73-69, Saturday at the Convocation Center.

Junior Da’Shonte Riley scored two points and had a block and a steal.

Missouri State wins ESPN BracketBuster

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013

Despite senior Derek Thompson’s great shooting, the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team blew an eight-point lead in the late stages of the game Saturday and fell to the Missouri State University Bears, 57-54, in the ESPN BracketBuster Challenge at the Convocation Center.

Men’s basketball beat Ball State 56-50, prep for Ohio

By Hannah Senda · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team earned a 56-50 win against Mid-American Conference rival Ball State University (10-14, 4-8 MAC) Saturday at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Ind.

Redshirt junior guard Natachia Watkins recorded a double-double.

EMU falls to Buffalo

By Al Willman · Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013

The snow falling outside the Convocation Center didn’t stop the 252 devoted fans from coming to see the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team take on its Mid-American Conference foe, the University of Buffalo Bulls, Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn’t sustain any momentum, and as a result lost to the Bulls 79-63.