YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Elijah Minnie scored 14 of his 25 points in the final minutes and James Thompson IV added 17 points with 12 rebounds as Eastern Michigan held off Central Michigan 79-74 for its first Mid-American Conference win on Tuesday night.

Thompson scored six points to start the second half as Eastern Michigan broke a 38-38 halftime tie to go ahead 52-46 following a 14-8 sprint. Gavin Peppers nailed a trey to tie at 56-56 with 8:59 remaining.

Minnie drilled a 3-pointer, had a tip-in and nailed two more from distance to give Eastern Michigan a 72-65 lead with 3:16 left. Minnie dunked and hit a free throw in the final seconds.

Ty Groce, who fouled out, finished with 15 points and eight rebounds for the Eagles (10-6, 1-2).

Cecil Williams made 9 of 10 free throws for a career-high 23 points and Kevin McKay added 15 for Central Michigan (12-4, 1-2).