LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon bested the Eagles of Northwest University in a game full of runs on Friday night in Quinn Coliseum. A massive run to finish out the second half gave the Mounties an 83-62 victory over Northwest. With the win the Mountaineers advance to 10-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play. The loss drops Northwest to 6-8 on the year and 3-5 in CCC play.
 
It was a game of momentum swings from the start as the Mounties jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in the first half. Northwest responded with a 10-2 run to take a 10-8 lead with 12:53 left on the clock in the first half. From there the two teams traded shots until Eastern went on a 18-5 run to close out the half. The trio of Phillip Malatare, Emmit Taylor III, and Solomon McGinnis powered the Mounties to a 13-point lead at the half as they each put up eight points to give the EOU a 37-24 lead.
 
The second half consisted of two big runs, one by each team. Northwest came out firing on all cylinders erasing the Mountaineer lead and tying it up with just under 12 minutes to go. The Eagles outscored EOU 26-13 to open the second half with Lewis Pope scoring 11 of those 26 points. With the game hanging in the balance for the next couple minutes, EOU seized control down the stretch in dominant fashion. With the score knotted up at 52 with 10 and a half minutes to go, the Mounties opened up the throttle outscoring the Eagles 31-10 in the last ten minutes. The late push gave EOU the 83-62 victory.
 
Next up for the Mountaineers is Evergreen State College. EOU will take on the Geoducks in Quinn Coliseum tomorrow evening with tipoff set for 5 p.m.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• The Mountaineers continued to do what they do best shooting over 50% from beyond the arc
• Despite a Northwest Size advantage inside, the Mounties owned the paint outscoring the Eagles 38-14 inside
• Bench play continues to be an advantage for the Mounties who posted 35 bench points Friday evening, 14 of those coming from Emmit Taylor III

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

• EOU
  • Phillip Malatare: 20 PTS, 9-15 FG, 4 REB, 3 STL, 1 AST, 1 BLK
  • Emmit Taylor III: 14 PTS, 6-11 FG, 6 REB, 1 AST, 2 BLK
• NWU
  • Lewis Pope: 19 PTS, 7-12 FG, 5-6 3PT, 2 REB, 2 AST

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