Eastern Michigan men's basketball falls to Monmouth, 64-63, after late 3-pointer
MOSCOW, Idaho -- Monmouth's Will Campbell hit a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds remaining for the 17th lead change in a 63-61 win over Eastern Michigan at Friday night's Basketball Traveler's Classic.
The Eagles, who had a prime opportunity to put the game away seconds earlier, were unable to get a shot off in its final posession.
Eastern (1-4) had a chance to make the game a two possession contest with 12 seconds remaining, but Eagles' senior Jay Higgins missed a pair of free throws. Monmouth rebounded the second miss and Jordan Davis found Campbell in the corner for the game-winning basket.
"I've been waiting for a big shot like that," said Campbell of the game-winner. "I didn't want us to be at that point, but Jordan made a great pass and I hit the shot."
Campbell finished with 11 points for Monmouth (2-3) while Mike Meyers-Keitt had a team-high 17 points at the six-team, round-robin tournament hosted by the University of Idaho.
Eastern led 33-29 at halftime and extended its lead to 37-31 after back-to-back baskets by Brandon Bowdry to begin the second half. Bowdry finished with a game-high 28 points and 12 rebounds.
Monmouth responded with a 10-3 run to take its first lead of the second half at 41-40.
The team's exchanged the lead several times late in the second half, with Bowdry scoring the Eagles' final eight points of the game.
After Campbell's game-winning basket, Monmouth first slapped a pass out of bounds, then, with just one second left, did not allow Eastern to get a game winning attempt off, successfully defending the inbound.
Eastern Michigan continues play at the tournament against North Dakota at 8:30 p.m. Saturday and host Idaho at 9 p.m. Sunday.