LA GRANDE, Ore. - Eastern Oregon University Men's Basketball got back on track Saturday evening with a hard fought 65-62 home win over in-state rival Southern Oregon. With the win, the Mountaineers are now 12-9 overall, 6-7 in CCC play, and improve to 6-2 inside Quinn Coliseum.

How it Happened
• The win for Eastern avenged a 70-67 road loss back on Dec. 3 at Southern (11-10, 8-5 CCC). The victory also keeps EOU in the top-eight of the conference standings.
• Both teams shot the ball well, but EOU had the edge at 41.1%-40%. Three-point shooting was key as EOU was 7-18 (38.9%) and held Southern to 4-17 (23.5%).
• Both teams' benches scored 11 points and in post play, the Raiders barely had the advantage at 26-24. The game came down to the wire, but composure by Eastern gave them the win.
• In the first half, it was a low scoring affair with neither team eclipsing 30 points. Eastern had the edge though, taking a 29-23 lead into halftime.
• Through the first two minutes of play, EOU jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Southern responded and forced a 7-7 tie with 14:36 left to go in the frame.
• Over the next nine minutes, both teams struggled to score and when they did neither created any separation. It was not until the final six minutes of the half, scoring picked up.
• A pair of free throws by the Raiders got them within one, 18-17, with 6:18 to play before EOU went on a run. The Mounties then went on a 7-2 surge to jump ahead 25-19.
• Playing key roles in the run was the three-point shooting of Xavier Lovelace and Zane Wright. The duo each knocked deep triples that helped Eastern lead by six.
• The Raiders looked to keep things close but went into halftime down by two possessions. Wright and Lovelace each knocked down shots in the final minute to give EOU the 29-23 edge at the break.
• In the second half, scoring picked up on both sides. Southern just outscored EOU 39-36, but was unable to overcome their slow start. For Eastern stout defense and late game free throws helped them hold on for victory.
• Through the first three minutes of the half, the Mounties managed to lead by eight twice. Eastern was up 36-28, but over the next four minutes the Raiders chipped away at the lead.
• A 10-3 run by SOU cut the score to 39-38 with 13:02 to play in regulation. Eastern managed to stay in front, but SOU eventually tied the game at 43-all with just over 11 minutes left to play.
• The two teams then traded shots with neither leading by more than two over the next seven minutes. It was at the 3:50 mark EOU used another quick scoring surge to create some space.
• Trailing 53-52, the Mounties scored six unanswered to jump ahead by two possessions, 58-53, with 3:08 left to play. Their run was crucial as they never gave up the lead the rest of the game.
• Southern managed to get within one a pair of times by clutch baskets from Phillip Malatare and Preston Chandler kept any hopes of a comeback at bay. Cooper Lumsden ultimately iced the game making a pair of free throws in the final 11 seconds to give EOU the three-point win.

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Phillip Malatare led all scorers with a game-high 21 points on 8-18 shooting. He also grabbed six boards and dished out three assists.
• Zane Wright added 11 points in the win on 4-7 shooting and was 2-4 from deep.
• Xavier Lovelace bounced back scoring 10 points. He shot 4-8 overall, 2-4 from deep, and grabbed six boards.
• Preston Chandler also had 10 points in the win. He was 4-7 from the floor and finished 2-4 from beyond the arc.

For the Raiders
• Tez Allen paced the offense with 16 points and had a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double.
• Josh Meyer added 13 points on 4-11 shooting and pulled down seven boards.
• Atmar Mundu scored 12 points in the loss on 5-12 shooting.
• Joe Juhala chipped in 11 points to round out the double-digit scoring. 

By the Numbers
3 - Both of the Mountaineers' games against Southern were decided by three points.
16 - EOU attempted 16 free throws on Saturday compared to just two on Friday.
8 - Phillip Malatare has scored 20 or more points in eight straight games now.
1 - The Mountaineers win over Southern is the first for head coach Chris Kemp.

Up Next
• The Mountaineers will have a quick turnaround as they host Interstate-84 rival College of Idaho this Tuesday, Jan. 25. Tip-off against the Yotes is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Quinn Coliseum.

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