ASHLAND, Ore. - Eastern Oregon Men's Basketball dropped a nail biter of a game Friday night in a 70-67 loss to in-state rival Southern Oregon. A last second tip-in coupled with free throws helped the Raiders escape with the win as Eastern Oregon saw its two-game win streak snapped. With the loss Eastern is now 5-4 on the year and 0-2 to start Cascade Collegiate Conference play. 

How it Happened
• It was a close game through and through with neither squad having a sizable edge in any statistical category. EOU shot 40.3% (25-62) from the floor, while Southern (4-6, 1-1 CCC) shot 39.3% on 22-56 made shots.
• The Raiders had less turnovers at 12-16, but the Mountaineers scored more of them at 16-14. The biggest difference was bench play as EOU's reserves outscore the SOU bench 18-8.
• The first eight minutes of play was low scoring as the two squads were deadlocked in a 9-9 tie with just over 11 minutes to play in the half. EOU then went on a 7-0 run to grab its largest lead of the night 16-9.
• The Raiders never let their deficit get any larger than seven points, but never managed to grab the lead in the final 10 minutes of the half. A triple from SOU with 5:20 to play made it a two-point game 22-20 before EOU surged ahead one final time.
• A three ball from Zane Wright combined with a four-point run from Ismael Valdez helped Eastern take a 29-26 lead into halftime.
• Despite shooting just 34.5% from the floor in the first frame, EOU's defense held Southern to just 28.5% shooting. Xavier Lovelace paced the Mountaineers offense with nine points.
• In the second half, Southern tied the game at 32-32 with 15:31 on the clock. The Raiders then grabbed the lead, 35-32, on a deep triple and EOU played from behind the majority of the game.
• The Mountaineers got within one a pair of times in the second half and managed to stay within two possessions for the majority. A late SOU surge gave the team a nine-point lead, 58-49, with just over five minutes to play in regulation.
• Eastern slowly chipped away at the nine-point deficit and managed to grab the lead in the game's final minute. Back-to-back jumpers from Phillip Malatare put EOU ahead 67-66, but luck fell in the Raiders hands in the final seconds.
• Southern put up a jump shot in the final two seconds of play that was no good, but a last second tip-in put them ahead 68-67. Two free throws in the final second sealed the game and helped the Raiders escape with a three-point win. 

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Xavier Lovelace scored 18 points on 6-12 made shots and had a team best nine rebounds.
• Ismael Valdez put up 15 points on 6-11 shooting and grabbed six boards.
• Phillip Malatare had 11 points to go along with five assists and eight rebounds.
• Manny N'tula chipped in seven points in the loss.

For the Raiders
• Josh Meyer scored a game-high 26 points on 8-16 shooting and had six rebounds.
• Joe Juhala had 15 points and led the team in rebounding with seven boards.
• Tez Allen also scored 15 points to go along with six rebounds and team best four assists.

By the Numbers
17 - EOU grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, which is the most in a game this season.
15 - The Mountaineers had 15 more rebounds than SOU which is the most in a game this year.
20 - Eastern has made 20-plus shots from the field in eight games this season.
40 - The Mountaineers have shot over 40% now in eight games this year.

Up Next
EOU is back in action tomorrow, Dec. 4, as the team will head to Klamath Falls to battle Oregon Tech. Tip-off against the Hustlin' Owls is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT on Danny Miles Court.

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