DILLON, Mont. – Eastern Oregon University played its first game of the Montana Western Classic Friday afternoon taking on the Orediggers of Montana Tech. The Orediggers edged out the Mountaineers down the stretch giving the Mounties their first loss of the 2022 season, 70-61.
Shooting struggles plagued the Mountaineers as they shot 33.8% on the evening and went 4-23 from beyond the arc. The second half wasn't kind to Eastern as they went 0-8 from three to make their shooting woes even worse. Montana Tech held the advantage on the boards outrebounding the Mountaineers by 17, 47-30. Add on to that Montana Tech's advantage defending shots with five blocks on the evening and it made for a rough night inside for EOU.
Eastern now shifts their sights to the host of the Montana Western Classic for their next matchup tomorrow evening. The Mountaineers will take on the Bulldogs at 5 p.m. Mountain Time for their third game of the year in Dillon, Mont.
STANDOUT MOUNTAINEER PERFORMANCES
- Solomon McGinnis: 17 points, 7-11 FG, 7 rebounds, 1 block
- Phillip Malatare: 14 points, 6-15 FG, 6 rebounds, 3 assists,
- Emmit Taylor III: 14 points, 5-18 FG, 3-8 3PT, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
