Dec. 4, 2007
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Osiris Eldridge tallied a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds, but host Eastern Michigan fought off an early deficit, and coasted to a 72-63 win over Illinois State at the Convocation Center Tuesday night in the Redbirds' road opener.
With the loss, ISU drops to 5-3 on the season. The Eagles improve to 4-4 overall.
Dom Johnson and Emmanuel Holloway each chipped in 10 points to join Eldridge in double figures. EMU had a threesome record double-digit point efforts, led by Carlos Medlock's 18 points. The Redbirds were whistled for a season-high 32 fouls in the contest. Both Elridge and Anthony Slack fouled out of the game.
Illinois State jumped out to a 7-0 lead out of the gate, with Dinma Odiakosa, Slack and Dom Johnson all recording field goals. Slack tallied his 12th dunk of the season in the stretch on a transition alley-oop from Boo Richardson. The lead was trimmed to 11-4 at the game's first media timeout (14:47).
The Redbirds held the Eagles scoreless for nearly the ensuing five minutes, extending their lead to 14-4 with 11:59 remaining. ISU went cold over the next four 4:04, however, and EMU clawed back into the game with an 8-4 spurt, cutting the Redbirds' advantage to 16-12 at the 7:55 mark of the first half.
The Eagles continued their charge; eventually taking a 21-20 lead with 4:58 remaining in the opening frame after two free throws by Medlock. ISU fell behind by as many as four points down the stretch, and trailed 30-26 heading into the locker room at halftime after EMU's Kyle Dodd tipped in a shot as time expired to end the half.
Johnson ended the frame with a team-high eight points, while Medlock paced the Eagles with 10 points. The Redbirds were out-rebounded 23-15, and had just five assists against six turnovers. ISU shot 29.6 percent, while the Eagles countered with a 37.5 percent tally.
EMU opened the second half on a 6-2 spree, taking a 36-28 lead and forcing ISU into its first timeout (17:19). Wendale Forrow, Justin Dobbins and Medlock each had field goals in the spurt. But Eldridge scored ISU's first eight points of the frame, and kept the Redbirds close. At the stanza's second media timeout (11:41), the EMU lead was just three, 42-39.
The Eagles led by as many as eight points in the ensuing eight minute stretch, but the Redbirds rallied to cut the lead to 58-55 at the game's final media timeout (3:56) despite Slack picking up his fifth foul.
The Eagles made 10 free throws in the final 4:08 to secure the lead and post the nine-point win.
