The Orange and Brown are ready to begin 2024 action. 

Bowling Green will begin the long-treasured tradition of MACtion in their contest against Eastern Michigan at the Stroh Center on Tuesday, Jan. 2, with tip-off slated for 6:00 p.m.  

BG is on a seven-game winning streak and ranks at the number one seed in the MAC with a record of 9-3. 

With a win, the Falcons would clinch double-digit wins with 10 victories on the season and increase their win streak to eight straight. 

Matchup History  

Tuesday Night will mark the 92 matchup between the Falcons and Eagles. Bowling Green leads all-time with a record of 56-35 against Eastern Michigan. 

Bowling Green won the last contest on Feb 28, 2023, 88-68, which marked their eighth straight win against the Eagles.  

Scouting Eastern Michigan 

Eastern Michigan travels to the Stroh Center for their matchup with Bowling Green sporting a 7-5 record overall.  

In their last outing, Eastern Michigan defeated the Northwood Timberwolves 67-64 for their second victory in a row. In their last five games, the Eagles recorded an overall record of 3-2.  

Throughout the 23-24 season, Eastern Michigan has averaged 67.3 points per game, shot 45.1% from the field, 33.8 rebounds per game and 10.8 assists per game. The Eagle’s last two victories were both by a total of three points.  

At a record of 7-5, Eastern Michigan currently ranks fourth in the MAC standings. On away games, their record on the season is 2-3. 

With the Eagles 67.3 points scored per game ranks them 10th in the MAC in overall scoring. Defensively, The Eagles are in the middle of the pack, allowing 73.1 points per game, placing them at 7th in defense.   

Eastern Michigan allows a 31.8% on opponent three-point shooting defensively, the third highest in the conference.  

The Eagles rank in the middle of the pack with an overall shooting percentage (45.1%) and rebounding (33.8) per game. 

Scouting Bowling Green 

The Falcons enter their first MAC matchup of the season with a 9-3 record. BG enters the matchup as the number-one ranked team in the MAC. 

BGSU has won a season-best seven games in a row, still the longest active winning streak in the MAC.  

Throughout the season, the Falcons have bolstered an impressive defense that ranks at the top of the MAC. 

The Falcons have allowed 65.1 points per game through the season, ranking them at the top of the MAC with the least amount of opponent points allowed. The Orange and Brown have allowed an opponent shooting percentage of 40.5%, which is also the best shooting defense in the MAC.  

Additionally, so far the Falcons have averaged 6.8 steals and 3.3 blocks per game through the 23-24 season. 

However, the Falcons offense has not been as consistent as their defense.  

Through 12 games, the Falcons have averaged 74 points per game, which ranks them eighth in scoring in the conference. The Falcon’s shooting percentage (44.1%) is the 10th best shooting percentage, placing them near the bottom of the total FG percentage in the conference.  

Falcon Four players to watch 

Marcus Hill (Bowling Green #0) 

The Falcon’s leading scorer in the 23-24 season has had several impressive shooting and scoring percentages.  

Last time out, Hill scored 15 points against Siena Heights, shooting 6-16 on the field. Two games ago against Kansas City, Hill scored 29 points. 

Currently, Hiil is averaging 19.3 points per game this season. 

Trey Thomas (Bowling Green #4)  

Trey Thomas is coming off one of the best games of his season, scoring 19 points on 7-11 shooting in the contest. 

Thomas missed multiple games at the start of the season due to injury and has now come alive in recent weeks in the Falcons winning streak.  

The senior averages 12.5 points per game in his six appearances this season.  

Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan #5) 

Tyson Acuff is the leading scorer of Eastern Michigan in the 23-24 season. Acuff averages 23.4 points per game, shooting 48.6% from the field. 

In EMU’s last game against Hampton, Acuff scored 29 points on 9-18 shooting from the field. Acuff also went 9-10 from the free throw line. 

In the Eagle’s last two victories, Acuff has scored over 20 points in each win. 

Orlando Lovejoy (Eastern Michigan #55) 

In the Eagle’s last victory against Northwood, Lovejoy recorded a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.  

Lovejoy averages 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, with a 47.9% shooting from the field.  

In the last two contests, Lovejoy has averaged 10.5 points per game.