MIAMI BASKETBALL

EMU hands RedHawks second straight loss

By MIKE SMITH
YPSILANTI, MI -- It's been a good week for Eastern Michigan.
Not so much for the Miami RedHawks.
Senior forward Da'Sean Nelson scored 25 points and classmate Jalen Terry tallied 24 to lead Eastern Michigan (13-13, 6-7 MAC) to a 76-66 win over Miami Tuesday at the Gervin Game/Above Center. 
It was the second win of the week for EMU, which knocked off neighboring Toledo last Saturday. Terry exploded for 38 points in that victory.
Miami, meanwhile, comes home for . . . 

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. . . Friday's nationally-televised game against Kent State after dropping two straight games for the first time this season. 
Rebounds -- especially offensive -- were a huge problem in MU's loss at Western Michigan. While EMU out-rebounded Miami by four, the boards were not a major problem. Shooting, however, was again an issue.
• The RedHawks' 66 points were their second lowest total of the season. The only lower total was 57 points in a 76-57 loss at Indiana back on Dec. 6.
• The RedHawks connected on 39.7 percent against Eastern Michigan, which shot 50 percent from the field. 
• Miami's usual strength -- shooting from beyond the arc -- was particularly low (6 of 26 -- 23.1%) against the Eagles. 

Nonetheless, EMU finished with just two more field goals, including two more 3-point goals. That gave the Eagles a four-point edge. They picked up another six points at the line, knocking down 16 of 19 while Miami made 10 of 16. 

MU fell significantly behind in the first half. Eastern Michigan broke a 10-10 tie with an 11-0 run. After five RedHawks points, EMU went on another 11-0 run. 

With Miami shooting 26.5 percent from the field and 13.3 percent on threes, the Eagles took a 35-23 lead to intermission. 

Eastern Michigan would build its lead to 22 points with 12:51 remaining. As more MU shots began to fall (55.2% in second half), the RedHawks chipped away. However, they never reached a single digit deficit. 

Eian Elmer led Miami with 19 points, connecting on 9 of 14 from the floor in nearly 30 minutes. Kam Craft (11 points) was the only other RedHawk in double figures.