How bad are the Eagles playing right now? Not only did they suffer perhaps their worst loss in terms of margin of victory against Kentucky, but UMass - the kings of close victories - improved to 10-3 and won their first game by double digits. Their two largest wins have now come against MAC teams (the other: Ohio by 9). Eastern shot decently from the floor and won the rebounding margin, but their -6 turnover margin was probably the deciding factor. UMass had a 13-point lead at halftime, the Eagles got it down to six, but for the most part the Minutemen were in control.
Glenn Bryant had a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) and J.R. Sims led EMU with 12 points. Jamell Harris added 10 points and five rebounds before fouling out.
Good luck to our half-MAC brothers as they try to win the Atlantic 16. Eastern, meanwhile, drops to 7-7 (4-7 against Division I) and hosts Ball State on Wednesday.