LA GRANDE, Ore. – Phillip Malatare put up the highest point total by a Mountie this season finishing with 33 points but it wasn't enough to overcome the Warriors of Lewis-Clark State who had two players (Davian Brown, John Lustig) finish with more than 20 points. LC State took a 86-79 victory in a game that saw 40 fouls called. With the win Lewis-Clark State advances to 10-11 overall and 7-8 in CCC play while the Mounties fall to 14-7 and 11-4.
 
The first half saw LCSC methodically work out to a seven-point lead getting efficient looks in their halfcourt offense. LC State's leading scorer, Davian Brown, pulled his weight putting up 14 points in the first half on a perfect 4-4 performance from the field, all coming from beyond the arc. The Warriors couldn't miss going 15-26 from the field and 6-10 from deep. Phillip Malatare did his best to keep the Mounties in it with 17 of his own but it wasn't enough to take a lead at the half with the Warriors going up 38-31 at the break.
 
The second half got physical as both teams made their way into double bonus with 27 fouls being called. LC State's offense only improved as the game went on, shooting 75% in the second half on 15-20 shooting while knocking down 15 of 22 free throws. John Lustig led the way for the Warriors in the second half putting up 15 points on 5-6 shooting. The freshman also added four rebounds and three assists to help seal the win for LCSC, 86-79.
 
Eastern will travel to Portland next weekend taking on Multnomah on Friday and Warner Pacific on Saturday. Tipoff against Multnomah is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Malatare's 33 points sets a new individual season high for the Mounties
• EOU tied their season high for fouls in a game with 22
• Most of the game was played in the half court as the two teams accounted for just 12 fast break points
• LC State shot lights out going 30-46 on the evening and 9-15 from deep

 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

• EOU
  • Phillip Malatare: 33 PTS, 13-22 FG, 2-5 3PT, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL
• LCSC
  • Davian Brown: 24 PTS, 7-8 FG, 5-5 3PT, 4 REB, 4 AST
  • John Lustig: 21 PTS, 7-10 FG, 3-3 3PT, 4 REB, 4 AST
  • Grayson Hunt: 17 PTS, 7-11 FG, 4 REB