YPSILANTI, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Down by as many as 10 points in the first half, Eastern Michigan University battled back to take a big Mid-American Conference game over rival Western Michigan, 66-59. The win broke a five-game losing streak and kept their chances alive of making the MAC Tournament.

Three EMU players were in double figures in Emoni Bates, Noa Farrakhan, and Colin Golson, Jr. Bates finished with 17 points and seven rebounds while Farrakahan added 15 points and Golson, Jr. 10 points. EMU held WMU to just 39 percent shooting, 28 percent from the arc, and forced 11 turnovers.

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EMU was down 10 points, 24-14, midway through the first half when they went on a 7-0 run for a three-point lead, 24-21 at 4:49. Markeese Hastings gave EMU a two-point lead, 28-26, on a free throw with 45 seconds left but WMU tied the game with 25 seconds left on two free throws to head into the half at 28-28.

WMU’s Tray Maddox, Jr., opened the second half on a three-pointer for a three-point lead, 31-28, but EMU went on an 8-0 run for a five-point lead, 36-31 with 17:38 left. WMU took the lead by two, 42-40, at the 13:40 mark and made it a five-point lead, 53-48, with 8:50 left. EMU responded with a 10-2 run over five minutes for a three-point lead on a Bates dunk with 3:02 to go, 58-55. In the final three minutes, EMU went 4-of-4 from the line and held off WMU for the win, 66-59.

EMU will host Ball State on Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. in Ypsilanti, Mich.