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LA GRANDE, Ore. – The No. 8 Eastern Oregon University men's basketball team rallied from an 11-point first half deficit to beat Warner Pacific, 86-78, Friday.

The Mountaineers (13-2) (5-1) fell behind Warner Pacific, 23-12, after a Nick Schultens' lay-up at the 13:20 mark of the first half. The 11-point deficit was the largest EOU has overcome during Isaac Williams' coaching career which began last season. Traevone Bowie gave WPC a 10-point lead, 28-18, with 9:38 left in the first half.

That's when Eastern made its move. The Mountaineers went on a 15-4 run to take a 33-32 lead with 5:27 left in the first half after a three-pointer from Thomas McCarthy. EOU would never lose the lead. A lay-up from Jason Mumm gave Eastern Oregon its largest lead of the first half with 55 seconds remaining, 47-40.

EOU led 47-42 at halftime, but stretched its lead to 15 points at the 7:19 mark of the second half with an Anthony Brown three-pointer. The Mountaineers finished 10 of 26 from behind the perimeter for 38 percent. Eastern was 46 percent from the field in the game. EOU was 58 percent from the free throw line (18-31).

Eastern Oregon outrebounded WPC, 49-34. The Knights entered the game with a Cascade Collegiate Conference-best average of 16 offensive rebounds per game, but finished with nine Friday. The Mountaineers threw 22 assists to Warner Pacific's 17.

McCarthy finished with a game-high 19 points. The senior was 6 of 13 from the field and 5 of 10 from behind the arc. He has made at least five three pointers in three straight games. It was the seventh game this season he has made at least five three pointers. The Prineville, Ore. native added nine rebounds. Jason Mumm had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Travares Peterson and JC Cook finished with 13 points and 12 points respectively for the Mountaineers. Brown added nine rebounds, while Cody Thurmond and Josh Cottle each had seven assists.

Andre Davis and Sean Gaines each scored 12 points to lead Warner Pacific (8-7) (1-4). Schultens finished with 11 points and a team-high six assists. Biniam Tadele chipped in 10 points. Webster Moreland had nine points and a team-high nine rebounds. The Knights were 44 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range, and 52 percent from the free throw line.

Eastern has won 29 consecutive conference games during the regular season in Quinn Coliseum. The Mountaineers are 36-1 in the last 37 games in La Grande during the regular season as well. EOU travels to The College of Idaho (7-10) (4-2) Friday in a battle for the I-84 Cup. The C of I has won three straight games, including a 75-53 win over Concordia Friday.

EASTERN OREGON – WARNER PACIFIC POSTGAME NOTES
- The Mountaineers are 11-0 this season when leading at halftime.
- EOU is 13-0 when it outrebounds its opponent, but 0-2 when it is outrebounded.
- Thomas McCarthy moves to third in NAIA Div. 2 with 54 three-pointers made this season.
- Eastern Oregon is 5-0 when it finishes with 80-89 points.
- The last five games between EOU and Warner Pacific has been decided by single digits.
- Eastern owns the all-time series over the Knights, 26-20.
- The Mountaineers are 7-0 on Fridays this season.