Cleveland, OH -- (Sports Network) - Marcus Van scored a game-high 17 points, as Central Michigan topped Eastern Michigan, 62-49, in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena.

Robbie Harman went for 13 points, while Jacolby Hardiman had 11 for Central Michigan (12-18), which has won three straight and will play second-seeded Ball State in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Jordan Bitzer donated nine points for the Chippewas, who shot 51.1 percent from the field, compared to only 39 percent for Eastern Michigan.

Brandon Bowdry led Eastern Michigan (8-24) with 13 points and six rebounds. The Eagles had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Antonio Green finished with 11 points and five rebounds and Justin Dobbins added eight points in defeat.

Despite the setback, the Eagles defeated the Chippewas in two of three games this season.

CMU held a 26-21 lead after one half of play and the Chippewas stretched their advantage to double-digits, 43-33, at the midway point of the second.

Eastern Michigan was only able to get as close as six points at 48-42 with 6:41 left in the game, but CMU pulled away a few minutes later and built its lead back up to double-figures.