POCATELLO, Idaho - Mountaineer Men's Basketball wrapped the exhibition portion of their schedule Tuesday night with a road contest at NCAA Division I Idaho State. Eastern Oregon ultimately fell 81-62 in the contest. 

How it Happened
• Helping the Bengals (1-0) secure the season opening win was a 49.1% shooting performance and 32 points from their reserves. They also forced 16 EOU turnovers and scored 15 points off them to walk away on top. The Bengals also had a 32-24 edge in points in the paint.
• The Mountaineers managed to keep pace with Idaho State in shooting percentage finishing 45.8% from the floor but went just 4-16 from deep to finish at 25%. Eastern was also outrebounded 35-28 in the contest.
• The first half saw EOU shoot 44% from the floor, but was just 2-8 from three-point range for 25%.
• On the flip side the Bengals shot 63.2% going 12-19 from the floor. Also helping Idaho lead by 14 at halftime was 17 made free throws on 26 attempts thanks to 18 fouls by EOU.
• In the early going of the first half, EOU was able to race out to a 7-1 lead thanks to quick shots from three different Mountaineers.
• Despite the quick start by the Mountaineers, Idaho State clawed its way back into the game and tied the game at 7-all with 16:02 left to play in the half.
• The Bengals grabbed their first lead of the night at 15:16 on a made jumper from Malik Porter. EOU managed to jump back ahead 10-9 on three made free throws from Zane Wright on the next possession.
• Idaho State immediately answered on its next possession and never let the lead go the rest of the night. The Bengals first half lead grew to its largest 15 points, 34-19, with just under five minutes left to play.
• Eastern made a late push as a 6-0 run got the Mountaineers within nine, 34-25, but the Bengals managed to close out the half with a 9-4 run to go into the locker room leading 43-29.
• In the second half, Eastern shot 47.8% from the floor on 11-23 shooting and held the Bengals to a 41.2 shooting percentage. Nonetheless, Idaho State managed to just outscore EOU 39-32.
• The Bengals pushed their lead to 20 points in the first four minutes of action as a 1-2 trip at the free throw line gave them a 51-31 lead.
• Idaho State's lead grew to as much as 23 in the early going of the second half but never managed to completely open up the game on the Mountaineers.
• The two squads traded shots the rest of the half but the Bengals never allowed the Mountaineers to cut the deficit under double figures as they cruised to the 21-point win.

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Xavier Lovelace tied the game-high in points scored with 16 on 7-10 shooting. 
• Phillip Malatare scored eight points in 22 minutes of action.
• Justin Jeske also scored eight points off the bench on 3-4 made shots.
• Ismael Valdez led the way in rebounds with eight.

For the Bengals
• Tarik Cool matched Lovelace in scoring with a game best 16 points on 6-11 shooting. 
• Robert Ford III put up 15 points on 3-5 made shots and was a perfect 6-6 at the free throw line.
• Zach Visentin rounded out the double-digit scoring with 13 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting.
• Austin Smellie led the way in rebounding with eight and chipped in eight points.

By the Numbers
2 - EOU played two exhibitions this season, both against NCAA Division I schools. 
3 - The Mountaineers have now completed three games of their nine-game road trip.
12 - 12 players appeared in the game at Idaho State for Eastern Oregon.

Up Next
• The Mountaineers will have some time off before hitting the hardwood again. Their next game will be Tuesday, Nov. 23 in the CCC opener at College of Idaho. Tip-off against the Yotes is set for 6:30 p.m. PT.

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