Eastern Michigan vs. Ohio Postponed Due to Gunman Near Campus

Wednesday night's college basketball game between Eastern Michigan and Ohio has been postponed because of a still-at-large gunman near OU's campus.

Ohio posted an article on their website stating the game would be rescheduled.

ESPN's Andy Katz had some more specifics, (via Shawn Windsor and James Jahnke of the Detroit Free Press):

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Eastern Michigan's game against Ohio University tonight in Athens, Ohio, has been canceled because of an armed robbery near OU's campus, according to ESPN's Andy Katz.

"I do understand the importance of gun control and how serious incidents like these are," EMU coach Rob Murphy told the Free Press this afternoon. "I truly respect the decision of Ohio University’s president and the importance of apprehending the suspect. The school shut down every building on campus. If you do that, you should take away basketball, as well.

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There's no question that this is unequivocally the right decision.

With the truly saddening gun-related travesties over the past months, and even years, it's important to remember that complete safety is always the No. 1 priority over everything else. 

According to the Athens Messenger, the alleged suspect robbed a female victim at gunpoint early Wednesday morning and has yet to be apprehended. 

Both the Athens Police and Ohio University Police are working to catch him. The Athens campus was closed immediately, and it will re-open on Thursday. 

According to Windsor and Jahnke's report, Katz said Eastern Michigan considered rescheduling the game for Thursday when the campus opened back up, "but because of a game Saturday, the Ohio game has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 20." 

That anticipated makeup date will come in between what was supposed to be an 11-day hiatus for both schools. 

Eastern Michigan, which currently sits at 10-10 (3-3 MAC), will now travel to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes on Saturday night.

Ohio (15-5, 6-0), meanwhile, will resume its encouraging campaign on Saturday at Akron. 

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