:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59037827/usa_today_9669588.0.jpg)
Behind 29 points from junior Elijah Minnie, the Eastern Michigan Eagles were one of three teams to advance in the College Insider Tournament on Wednesday, knocking off the Purple Eagles of Niagara.
The Eagles of Ypsilanti also got a boost from James Thompson IV, who tallied 20 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Senior guard Tim Bond messed around and nearly got a triple-double, notching 11 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two steals.
Rob Murphy’s side - which finished the regular season with the MAC’s third-best record at 22-12 - made its run to seperate itself from Niagara midway through the first half, outscoring the Purple Eagles 19-5 over a seven minute stretch.
Niagara got a double-double from junior Marvin Prochet, who had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and senior Khalil Dukes added 16 points.
Because the CIT doesn’t have a bracket, their next opponent is unclear, but they’re onto the quarterfinals, which will be played March 22-25.
These winners are moving on too.
UTSA 76, Lamar 69
Eight players from this game scored in double-digits. Lamar won the rebounding battle in this Texas-sized match-up, but UTSA came out on top.
Lamar led by eight points in the first half, but the Roadrunners kept chipping away and eventually grabbed the lead in the second half. Deon Lyle’s 16 points led the team in scoring, and he chipped in eight boards and a steal too.
UIC 84, St. Francis (PA) 61
Despite 15 points from Jamaal King and 19 points from Andre Wolford, one of the most fun teams from the NEC got bounced from the CIT, falling to the Flames of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
UIC had six players score in double-digits, including 15 points, four rebounds and a block in an off-the-bench performance from Clint Robinson.
St. Francis kept things close in the first half, trailing by just six points at halftime, but UIC pulled away with an 18-6 run to start the second half.