PORTLAND, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University men's basketball team shot 35 percent from the floor as the Knights of Warner Pacific College defeated EOU, 76-59, on Friday evening on Bart Valentine Court.
 
The Mountaineers (12-10, 4-8 CCC) struggled to hit the 3-pointer against the Knights (18-5, 8-3 CCC). EOU made only two 3-pointers for the game, the fewest 3-pointers they have hit in a game, this season.
 
Bryan McGriff led the Mountaineers with 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Case Rada followed with 13 points, while Deonta Edwards recorded 10 points to round out the double-figure scorers. McGriff led the Mountaineers with 11 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season.
 
Earl Jones led the Knights with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Caletun Tarr and Michael Hall added 13 points apiece for Warner Pacific.
 
Warner Pacific jumped out to a quick start over the Mountaineers as the Knights opened the game by scoring eight of the first 10 points of the game. Three and a half minutes into the game, EOU found themselves down, 11-4.
 
The Knights slowly added to their lead and grew the lead to double-figures, 22-10 after a Ryan Parks 3-pointer. After the three, EOU slowly started to battle back and trimmed the Knights' lead down to seven, 23-16. However, the Knights extended their lead back to double figures, 28-16, with 7:52 left in the half.
 
Warner Pacific continued to add to their lead and grew the lead to 18 points, 35-17, with 3:50 left in the half. EOU cut the Knights' lead down to 14 points, twice, in the final three minutes of the half but a Park 3-pointer put Warner Pacific ahead by 17, 40-23, at halftime.
 
The Mountaineers' cold shooting continued in the second half as they missed three of the first four shots and saw the Knights' lead grow to 21 points, 46-25, over the first three minutes of the half.
 
Eastern Oregon continued to battle and was able to trim the Knights' lead down to 14, 58-44, after a pair of McGriff free throws. The free throws keyed an 8-0 run for EOU and trimmed Warner Pacific's lead down to eight points, 58-50, with 9:29 left in the game.

EOU's offense went cold for the remainder of the game as they struggled to score for the last nine and a half minutes of the game. The Mountaineers were held to nine points for the remainder of the contest. The Knights defeated EOU, 76-59.
 
The Mountaineers return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 31 when they play at Concordia University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT.