Ypsilanti, MI (Sports Network) - Derek Thompson led the way with eight points
as the Eastern Michigan Eagles handed the Purdue Boilermakers a 47-44 defeat
in a non-conference matchup at the Convocation Center.
For the Eagles (6-2), Daylen Harrison pulled down 11 rebounds. Thompson, who
entered the weekend as the team's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg, converted only
3-of-9 shots from the floor as the squad won for the fifth time in the last
six outings.
The Boilermakers (4-5) were led by Terone Johnson with 12 points, while Ronnie
Johnson and A.J. Hammons each chipped in with 11 points apiece for a team that
has now lost two of the last three.
Purdue made just 25 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half,
including 1-of-6 from beyond the three-point arc, but took a slim 20-19
advantage into halftime. Eastern Michigan shot 27.3 percent from the field and
missed all eight of its three-point attempts in the frame.
The Eagles shot 36.5 percent from the field after intermission, but did
connect on 5-of-10 from three-point range. The Boilermakers continued to
struggle, making only 34.8 percent of their field goal attempts in the second
half.
After trailing by as many as 10 points midway through the second, the
Boilermakers cut their deficit to just two, 46-44, with little over a minute
to play. The Boilermakers had a chance to take the lead, but a Terone Johnson
three-point attempt with 13 seconds remaining was off the mark and the Eagles
were able to hold on for the victory.
Purdue dominated on the boards, outrebounding EMU 51-33. The Eagles converted
18 Boilermaker turnovers into 12 points.
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