LEWISTON, Idaho – Eastern Oregon returned to CCC action with a win Friday night over Lewis-Clark State College. After a first half draw, the Mounties pulled away in the second half to take the win, 79-73. With the win EOU moves to 8-4 on the season and 5-1 in conference play. The loss puts LC State at 6-5 on the season and 3-2 in conference.
The two teams mirrored each other in the first half each putting up 32 points. It was LC State who held the advantage shooting going 13-22 from the field and 2-4 from beyond the arc. Neither team was able to gain much ground as the biggest lead of the half came early with LC State jumping out to an 8-0 run that didn't last. Even with the shooting advantage the Warriors couldn't pull away as
Emmit Taylor III carried the Mountaineer offense and lead all scorers with 13 at the half.
With the game evened up, the Mountaineers struck first grabbing momentum with an
Ismael Valdez dunk. From there it was the
Phillip Malatare show as the senior took over scoring 18 of the Mounties' 47 second half points. Eastern got out to a lead as big as 14 with just under seven minutes to go. The Warriors tried to get back into it but strong free throw shooting from Eastern down the stretch drove the Mounties to victory as they went 9-10 from the line in the final minute. Eastern took the win 79-73.
The Mountaineers will wrap up the calendar year tomorrow evening against Walla Walla University at Walla Walla. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Both teams shot over 50% from the field
- Production off the bench played a huge role for the Mounties who had 40 points from their bench
- Eastern forced 20 turnovers winning the battle of ball control
STANDOUT MOUNTAINEER PERFORMANCES
- Phillip Malatare: 20 PTS, 6-14 FG, 8-8 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST
- Emmit Taylor: 19 PTS, 8-15 FG, 3-9 3PT, 1 AST, 1 REB
