The Western Michigan Broncos pulled off a stunning 14-point upset over the Eastern Michigan Eagles, winning 76-62 on the road at the Gervin GameAbove Center. This victory was particularly notable given the significant disparity in NET rankings, with Eastern Michigan sitting at 210 and Western Michigan at 296, a difference of 86 spots. Western Michigan's 48-point second half, which included a 20-10 run over a 6-minute stretch, was the decisive factor in the game.
Western Michigan's 48-Point Second Half Was Their Highest Scoring Half of the Season
The Eastern Michigan Eagles, led by Addison Patterson's 22 points and 9 rebounds, took a 33-28 lead into halftime. However, the Western Michigan Broncos came out strong in the second half, outscoring Eastern Michigan 48-29 to secure the 76-62 victory. Western Michigan's balanced attack, which saw 4 players score 9 points or more, including Brady Swartz's 16 points and 7 rebounds, and EJ Ryans' 13 points, proved too much for the Eagles to handle. The Broncos' 48-point second half was their highest scoring half of the season, and it came at a crucial time, as they were able to overcome a 5-point deficit and win by 14 points.
Addison Patterson was the top performer for the Eastern Michigan Eagles, scoring 22 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Gregory Lawson II also had a strong game, scoring 18 points for the Eagles. For the Western Michigan Broncos, Brady Swartz led the way with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while EJ Ryans added 13 points and Michael Sulaka chipped in with 9 points and 7 rebounds. The Broncos' balanced attack, which saw 4 players score 9 points or more, was a key factor in their victory, as they were able to spread the ball around and keep the Eagles' defense guessing.
CHD Scout Report Card
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The Western Michigan Broncos outscored the Eastern Michigan Eagles 48-29 in the second half, shooting 53.3% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range. The Broncos also outrebounded the Eagles 37-32, including 12-8 on the offensive glass. Eastern Michigan, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers, committing 15 giveaways compared to Western Michigan's 10. The Eagles also shot just 38.5% from the field and 25% from 3-point range, making it difficult for them to keep pace with the Broncos' high-powered offense.
The CHD Scout prediction model was incorrect here, predicting an Eastern Michigan victory by 15.9 points. Instead, the Western Michigan Broncos pulled off the 14-point upset, winning 76-62. The model missed the mark on Western Michigan's second-half surge, which saw the Broncos outscore the Eagles 48-29. The model also underestimated the impact of Western Michigan's balanced attack, which saw 4 players score 9 points or more. This upset victory will likely have real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes, and the CHD Scout model must re-evaluate its projections for both squads.
This victory was a significant Quad 3 win for the Western Michigan Broncos, who improved to 9-16 on the season. The loss, on the other hand, was a Quad 4 setback for the Eastern Michigan Eagles, who fell to 9-17. The Eagles' NET ranking of 210 will likely take a hit after this loss, while the Broncos' ranking of 296 will likely improve. Western Michigan's tournament resume will also get a boost from this win, as they were able to pull off a road victory against a team ranked significantly higher in the NET rankings. The Broncos want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The Western Michigan Broncos want to keep their momentum going as they take on their next opponent, while the Eastern Michigan Eagles will try to bounce back from this tough loss. The Broncos' next game is scheduled for [insert date] against [insert opponent], while the Eagles will face [insert opponent] on [insert date]. Both teams want to improve their tournament resumes and make a push for the postseason.