| Dutcher was forced to make a difficult decision at halftime. His team had been outclassed by a squad that already proved it could beat EMU. Dutcher gambled by inserting a full court press to begin the second half. Although his players were exhausted Dutcher felt the press could ignite Eastern's run-and-gun offense... and possibly provide some freedom inside for McIntosh. "I didn't know, this being our third game in three days, if we'd have the legs to make it work," Dutcher confessed to the Ypsilanti Press afterwards. It worked. The Blugolds broke the press early--but not very often. The quicker Hurons kept the ball away from Eau Claire's big men and forced several turnovers. Down 13 points early in the second half, the Hurons launched a run that turned the game around. Again and again McIntosh broke free inside. He scored 13 points during the next four minutes. Next, Reason tied the game at 57 with a pair of free throws. Dixon finally put EMU ahead with a 15-foot jumper. The 25-8 Huron rally concluded with two more Reason free throws that gave Eastern a 63-58 lead. Eau Claire grimly fought back. Ratliff, who had been benched with four fouls, returned to spark the Blugolds. They regained the lead, 73-71, when Schade banked in a short jumper with 5:30 remaining. Now Eastern turned up the heat. McIntosh tied the game with the layup. Reason and then Dixon scored. And for three crucial minutes down the stretch, Eau Claire could neither hang on to the ball or buy a basket...and Eastern enjoyed its second important rally of the game. With just over three minutes left the Huron defense forced another turnover. McIntosh got the ball and popped in a jumper with Ratliff all over him. Ratliff was whistled for his fifth foul and the curtain came down on Eau Claire's dream season. The Hurons simply traded baskets with the disheartened Blugolds, joyfully running out the clock on the 87-80 win. McIntosh finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds but got important support from Earl Dixon, who scored 24 points, and Lindell Reason, who added 20. Schade scored 27 in the losing cause. Although they were outrebounded once again Eastern neutralized the big Blugold frontline: the margin was only 43-41. The Hurons would defeat Fairmont State the next day to advance to the NAIA championship game, but fell short against Kentucky State. Eastern Michigan's 1971 tournament run was notable for many blowouts and several tense, exciting victories. But those second half rallies that beat Eau Claire State rank among the most memorable in Huron Hardwood History. Return to Huron Hardwood History Dave's Attic |
| The curtain was about to fall on an era at Eastern Michigan University as the Hurons prepared for the 1971 NAIA Tournament. Senior Kennedy McIntosh, the scoring and rebounding machine from South Haven, was finishing his spectacular career in Ypsilanti and preparing to play in the NBA. Despite the presence of McIntosh and a team replete with talent and experience, EMU barely managed to earn an invitation to the NAIA District 23 playoffs with a 16-10 record. Looking back at one of the most talented teams in EMU history, it is difficult to guess why the 1971 team's record was so lackluster. Lindell Reason and Earl Dixon outclassed most other backcourts in the Midwest. Bill James provided steady work up front. And Al Jagutis was the defensive specialist. McIntosh enjoyed a terrific season, averaging 25 points and almost 14 rebounds per game. The Chicago Bulls would select the "Dude" in the first round of the NBA draft. But entering the NAIA Tournament McIntosh and his teammates were determined to finally fulfill the expectations that eluded them during the regular season. Eastern opened post-season play by blasting its first three opponents by a total of 78 points. EMU then advanced to the national quarterfinals with a heart-stopping one-point victory over a tough team from Whittier College (the "Poets"). In Kansas City the Hurons faced Eau Claire State. The Blugolds were an NAIA power, possessors of a 26-1 record that included a 13 point victory over Eastern at Bowen Field House. In that game, five Eau Claire players scored in double figures but more impressively, they outrebounded the Hurons, 49-33. The 10,000 fans who filled venerable Municipal Auditorium for the late-afternoon contest would see one of the most intimidating frontlines in all of college basketball: Eau Claire's Mike Ratliff (6'10"), Steve Johnson (6'8"), and Tom Peck (6'8"). The trio averaged more than 33 rebounds per game. Guard Frank Schade (18.9 ppg) kept defenses honest with precision outside shooting. Ratliff, Peck, and Schade were good enough to be drafted by NBA teams, pretty heady stuff for an NAIA program. Head Coach Jim Dutcher's Hurons would have to counter with quickness and positioning...something that hadn't succeeded in their first encounter with the Blugolds. McIntosh scored nine of his team's first 13 points but then the monstrous Eau Claire frontline went to work. Ratliffe, Johnson, and Peck took turns teaming up on McIntosh, shutting out the Huron star for the rest of the first half. With the big men doing most of the scoring, Eau Claire jumped out to a 21-15 lead midway through the half. Then Schade went to work from the outside, scoring seven consecutive points to give Eau Claire a 45-35 lead at the intermission. |
 |
 |
 |
| Kennedy McIntosh |
 |
| March 11, 1971 Kansas City, MO Eastern Michigan 87 Eau Claire State 80 |