YPSILANTI, Mich. – Derek Thompson scored 14 points and helped spark a key second-half run Friday to lead Eastern Michigan to a 66-52 win over Rochester (Mich.) in the regular season opener for the Eagles.
Eastern Michigan led only 31-28 at halftime. But Thompson hit a 3-pointer as the Eagles went on a 10-2 run over 4 minutes of the second half to take a 51-27 lead with 10:15 left.
Drew Maynard hit a layup for Rochester (6-2) to draw the Warriors within 55-48 with 5:51 to play, but the Eagles pulled away from there and led by as many as 18.
Maynard led Rochester with 27 points and Stavros Schizas added 11.
Daylen Harrison and Ray Lee each scored 12 points for the Eagles, who shot 49 percent for the game, outrebounded Rochester 39-22 and had a 35-2 edge in points from bench players.
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