Basketball - The Eastern Echo

Women's basketball coach Verdi hopes for better year

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013

Things can only get better for Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball coach Tory Verdi as last season’s 8-22 overall record and a 6-10 mark in the Mid-American Conference hope to be things of the past.

Murphy likes to play the tough teams

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013

The return of redshirt freshman guard Ray Lee and redshirt junior guard Mike Talley, who transferred from Duquesne University added much needed depth to the Eastern Michigan University backcourt this upcoming season.

EMU men’s basketball coach Rob Murphy (Left) and junior forward Karrington Ward (Right) pose for a photo after Ward won the Demarius Reed Slam Dunk Trophy at Wednesday’s “Rock the Rec” event.

Murphy, men's basketball team, hold first ever 'Rock The Rec' event Wednesday

By Eugene Evans · Friday, Nov. 1, 2013

The inaugural Rock The Rec event at the REC/IM will forever be known as the event where the Demarius Reed Slam Dunk Trophy became reality.

Basketball returns to Bowen for 3 games in November

By Eugene Evans · Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013

15 years since the last regular-season basketball game was played there, the Eastern Michigan University men’s and women’s teams will return to Bowen Fieldhouse from Nov. 12-14.

Bryant out of courtroom, yet off the court

By Al Willman · Monday, June 3, 2013

After being arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend on April 22, Eastern Michigan University redshirt junior forward Glenn Bryant had his case dismissed last Tuesday after the witness in the case failed to appear at the hearing, according to AnnArbor.com.

Glenn Bryant was suspended from the EMU men’s basketball team Wednesday following his arraignment on felony assault and domestic violence charges.

Glenn Bryant suspended from men's basketball team

By Al Willman · Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Department announced the suspension of forward Glenn Bryant from the men’s basketball team following his arraignment on charges of felony assault and domestic violence.

Members of the men’s basketball team shoot around at halftime of the fundraiser game in the Rec/IM, which raised money for local elementary and middle school students.

Mentor2Youth holds fundraiser

By Al Willman · Sunday, April 7, 2013

The organization Mentor2Youth held a basketball fundraiser Saturday afternoon at the Eastern Michigan University Rec/IM to raise money for local elementary and middle school students, for whom the organization provides tutoring and mentoring opportunities.

“For my capstone communication class [that] I need to graduate, I need to work with a nonprofit organization,” senior center Matt Balkema said. “I chose Mentor2Youth. They work with local kids with troubled backgrounds. I figured I love being around kids, I love being a role model type so I figured why not.”

Basketball game to raise charity money

By Al Willman · Wednesday, April 3, 2013

While the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball season is over and senior center Matt Balkema’s time with the team is done, he is still giving back off the court.

From left: Matt Balkema, Jamell Harris and Derek Thompson said their best memory was winning the MAC West in 2012.

Seniors reflect on accomplishments

By Al Willman · Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team had its season come to an end in the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals against Western Michigan University March 14. With that game, the college careers of center Matt Balkema, forward Jamell Harris and guard Derek Thompson came to an end as well.

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.