EUGENE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Men's Basketball fell in back-to-back contests this weekend as the Mountaineers fell to Bushnell University by scores of 97-93 and 91-74. With the two losses, EOU's record falls to 7-7 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
 
Game 1 – Bushnell 97, Eastern Oregon 93
How it Happened
• The Mountaineers managed to shoot 47.3% from the floor and was 50% from three-point range, but the Beacons (5-5, 5-5 CCC) shot 66% overall and was 78.6% from beyond the arc. Helping the Beacons in the win as well was their bench as the reserves scored 35 points, while EOU had just 20 from its bench.
• Bushnell raced out to an 8-2 lead early in the first half before eventually going ahead by 11, 15-4 in the first five minutes of action. Following the quick surge from the Beacons, the Mountaineers slowly began to chip away at the lead and outscored the Beacons 16-4 over the span of nearly 10 minutes to jump ahead by one, 20-19.
• Despite the efforts of the Mountaineers, Bushnell was able to respond and retake the lead in the final 6:09 of the first half and went into halftime leading by two at 34-32. Coming out of the break, EOU managed to tie the game a handful of times early on in the second half and managed to grab the lead a few times as well.
• EOU grabbed the lead at 48-46 with 14:57 to play in regulation but it was short lived as Bushnell went back ahead by one-point five seconds later. The made shot by the Beacons allowed them to retake the lead and they never relinquished it the rest of the game.
• Bushnell managed to lead by as much as 13 in the second half before the Mountaineers rallied back to get within four late in the contest. The late surge was not enough though as the Beacons walked away with the four-point win at home.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Max McCullough led all players with a game-high 43 points on 16-28 shooting overall and was 5-9 from three-point range. He also grabbed six rebounds and had six assists in the game.
• Zane Wright chipped in 13 points on 4-11 made shots and was 4-9 from beyond the arc.
• Preston Chandler added 10 points in the loss on 5-8 shooting.
•  Justin Jeske led the way in rebounds with seven and scored seven points.
 
Game 2 – Bushnell 91, Eastern Oregon 74
How it Happened
• Game No. 2 between the Mountaineers and Beacons had another high shooting percentage for the home team. Bushnell shot 59.3% overall and was 66.7% from deep. EOU finished at 40% from the floor but was just 32% from deep in the loss.
• Like the day before, the first half of action was another close battle as the Beacons clung to a one-point lead at 43-42 going into halftime. The difference maker was in the second half as the Beacons outscored the Mountaineers 48-32 to secure the double-digit win.
• Bushnell once again grabbed an early lead in the first few minutes of play and managed to lead by as much as 13 in the first half. Eastern trailed 34-21 with exactly six minutes to play in the first half before rallying back to make it a close game late.
• The Mountaineers tied the game at 40-all thanks to a 19-6 scoring surge that allowed them to get back into the game. EOU grabbed the lead at 42-40 with 52 seconds to play in the half before a deep triple by the Beacons put them ahead by one, 43-42, at the break.
• The second half fell in the Beacons favor early on as they jumped ahead by 11, 58-47, in the first five minutes of play. Eastern got within nine on the next possession but a 16-0 run by Bushnell made it a double figure lead for the Beacons, 74-49, with 10:22 to play in the game.
• The 16-0 run by the Beacons was the difference maker as the Mountaineers never managed to get within 15 points the rest of the way before falling by a final of 91-74.
 
Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Max McCullough once again led all scorers in the game with 29 points on 10-22 shooting and went 6-7 at the free throw line.
• Jordan Montrose had a career best 15 points in the game as he shot 6-10 overall and grabbed four rebounds.
• Zane Wright chipped in 11 points in the loss on 5-14 made shots.
• Preston Chandler also set a new career high as he grabbed 12 rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
 
By the Numbers
43 – Max McCullough's 43 points in game one is a season best for him this year.
3 – The Mountaineers have not tallied a block in each of their last three games.
8 – EOU's eight made three pointers in game two is the lowest amount in a conference game this season.
21 – The 21 fouls committed by the Mountaineers in game one is the most in a single game this year.
 
Up Next
• The Mountaineers return home this weekend as they will play host to the Corban University Warriors on April 23 and 24. Tip-off times are set for 6 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

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