LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University advanced to the CCC Championship for the first time since 2011 with a 78-68 victory over the No. 3-seeded Raiders of Southern Oregon University. Ball security and strong defense proved to be the key to success for EOU who forced 19 turnovers while only giving it up five times themselves.
The first half was a tight one as the Mounties and Raiders exchanged shots and the lead for the first 13 minutes. All 8 lead changes came in the first half.
With seven minutes to go, the Mounties finally took control going on a 15-5 run to jump up 30-39 with 1:45 to go in the half. Over that span the Mounties knocked down a couple threes led by
Emmit Taylor III's five points.
Each team added a bucket before the break to go into the half 41-32, EOU. Eastern spread out the scoring led by Taylor's nine while SOU's Josh Meyer and Tez Allen each put up a 10-spot.
EOU came out in the second half and looked like they might run away with it thanks to a 9-2 run fueled by three
Phillip Malatare three pointers. With 16:57 to go, the Mounties had their biggest lead of the night up 14, 50-36.
Eastern maintained a double-digit lead for the next five minutes before SOU fought their way back into. A 13-2 run fueled by Atmar Mundu and Khalil Chatman had the Raiders within one point with eight minutes to go, 57-56. That was the closest they came to retaking the lead.
Eastern controlled the game the rest of the way outscoring the Raiders 21-10 down the stretch. The nail in the coffin came with just over a minute left when
Preston Chandler got loose on the baseline and punched home a one-handed jam to go up 12. SOU knocked down a couple of free throws to wrap up scoring as the Mounties took the win 78-68.
The Mountaineers will take on the winner of the other semifinal game between No. 1-nationally ranked and No. 1-seeded College of Idaho and No. 5-seeded Corban taking place tomorrow evening due to weather conditions. If Corban pulls off the upset the Mounties will host the CCC Championship Monday evening. If College of Idaho wins, EOU will officially clinch their spot in the national tournament and will have to travel to Caldwell to take on the Yotes on the road for the CCC Championship. Tipoff will be set for 7:30 p.m. regardless of location.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Ball security was key as the Mounties forced 19 turnovers while only coughing it up five times
- SOU won the battle on the glass outrebounding the Mounties 41-25
- Eastern's advantage from range helped them pull off the win where they shot 48% outscoring SOU 36-15 from deep
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
- EOU
- Preston Chandler: 17 PTS, 6-7 FG, 2-2 3PT, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
- Adam Orr: 16 PTS, 4-8 3PT, 1 REB, 1 BLK
- Phillip Malatare: 14 PTS, 3-5 3PT, 7 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK, 3 STL
- SOU
- Josh Meyer: 14 PTS, 7-12 FG, 15 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK
- Will Graves: 13 PTS, 4-6 FG, 1 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL
- Atmar Mundu: 13 PTS, 5-10 FG, 3-7 3PT, 4 REB, 1 AST
