Eastern Michigan clinches 1st-round bye in tourney with win

Feb 27, 2018, 09:37 pm

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Paul Jackson had 21 points with eight assists to help Eastern Michigan roll to a 74-58 win over Western Michigan on Tuesday night to clinch a first-round bye in the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Eastern Michigan (19-11, 10-7) took the fourth and final first-round bye.

The Eagles had a 23-6 run to open the game to take a 35-24 lead into the break. They kept a double-digit lead for most of the second half to ease to the win.

Eastern Michigan finishes regular-season play at Toledo on Friday before heading to the conference tournament in Cleveland next week.

Elijah Minnie added 18 points with nine rebounds for the Eagles, who have won five in a row.

Josh Davis had 13 points to lead Western Michigan (17-13, 9-8), which completes the regular season at Central Michigan on Friday.