LA GRANDE, Ore. – In their first meeting since an overtime battle in early December, the Mounties struggled to find the same magic against their southern rival. While Eastern took the win over SOU thanks to some late game heroics from
Phillip Malatare in their first meeting, it was all Southern this time. The Mounties couldn't find their groove against the Raiders falling 63-88. With the loss Eastern now sits at 12-6 overall and 9-3 in conference play.
The first half was tight through the first ten minutes as it was a two-point game with around 11 minutes to go. From there the Raiders worked their way out to a lead as big as 13 with 1:46 left. Malatare continued his steady scoring trying to keep the Mounties in the game with 13 first-half points, but it wasn't enough as SOU lead 39-27 at the half.
The second half was more of the same as Malatare chipped in another 12 to give him 25 on the evening, but it wasn't enough as he couldn't find much more offensive support down the stretch. Southern spread the ball around in the second half with eight players getting on the board scoring. SOU put the nail on the coffin with a 17-6 run to close out the game on their way to a 88-63 victory.
Eastern will wrap up a two week stretch on the road with one more game tomorrow evening against the Hustlin' Owls of Oregon Tech. Tip off is set for 5 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Malatare's 25 points is good for the third highest total by a Mountie this season and marks his highest scoring game of the season
- The Raiders held the advantage inside and out with a 44-20 advantage inside and a 30-21 advantage from beyond the arc
- The two teams mirrored each other on the boards with 41 rebounds each.
STANDOUT MOUNTIE PERFORMANCES
