Preview: Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams looking to halt slides in Mid-American Conference play will meet Tuesday when the Eastern Michigan Eagles visit the Central Michigan Chippewas at McGuirk Arena. Eastern Michigan (9-10, 3-5 MAC) enters on a two-game losing streak, including a heartbreaking 76-75 double-overtime defeat to Kent State on Saturday. The Eagles have lost four of their last six contests. Central Michigan (5-15, 1-7) has fared worse, dropping seven of its last eight games. The Chippewas are coming off a 77-65 road loss at Western Michigan. The matchup features a key battle in the frontcourt. Eastern Michigan is led by forward Mohammad Habhab, who is coming off a dominant 47-minute performance against Kent State where he posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Over his last seven games, Habhab is averaging 15.1 points and has recorded two double-doubles. Central Michigan will counter with forward Keenan Garner, who scored 16 points in the loss to Western Michigan. Garner had a season-high 16 points in the Chippewas’ lone conference win, an 87-85 victory over Kent State on Jan. 10. The Eagles won the first meeting between the in-state rivals last season, 65-62, in Ypsilanti. They will look to exploit a Central Michigan defense that has allowed 80 or more points in five of its eight MAC games. Eastern Michigan has shown resilience in close games, with three of its five MAC losses coming by three points or fewer. Central Michigan has also been competitive lately, with its last two home conference losses coming by a combined three points. Tuesday’s game is the first of a home-and-home series this season, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 17 in Ypsilanti. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.