Minnie scores 26, Bond has memorable day in EMU victory

Feb 24, 2018, 08:15 pm

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Elijah Minnie scored 26 points and Eastern Michigan's lone senior, Tim Bond, had a record-setting final home game as Eastern Michigan defeated Northern Illinois 82-53 Saturday for the Eagles' fourth straight win.

Minnie finished a point short of his career high and made four 3-pointers. Bond had 11 points to become the 31st Eagle to join the 1,000-point club and three steals to finish with 222 for his career, passing Earl Boykins (220) for the school record. James Thompson IV added 14 points with eight rebounds and Paul Jackson 13 points for Eastern Michigan (18-11, 9-7 Mid-American Conference), which shot 55 percent.

Eugene German had three 3-pointers and 16 points with seven rebounds for NIU (12-17, 5-11).

The Eagles led 31-23 at halftime before coming up with a 51-point second half led by Thompson (14 points), Minnie (12) and Jackson (11). The lead reached 35 points with 7:43 left after a 20-4 run.