OLYMPIA, Wash. – Behind a dominant night on the glass from
Keilan Torkornoo and another efficient scoring performance from
Eamon Monahan, Eastern Oregon men's basketball stayed perfect in Cascade Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, pulling away from The Evergreen State College for an 88-70 road win.
The Mountaineers (9-3, 4-0 CCC) controlled the game for long stretches, using interior scoring, rebounding, and timely perimeter shooting to build a double-digit cushion before halftime and keep Evergreen from mounting a sustained comeback.
Eastern established itself early by attacking inside and cleaning up misses. Torkornoo scored the Mountaineers' first basket and was active around the rim throughout the opening half as EOU shot 54.5 percent from the floor and carried a 45-31 advantage into the locker room. Monahan complemented the interior presence by knocking down a pair first-half threes, helping Eastern stretch the floor and create space in the paint.
The Geoducks responded coming out of the break with improved shooting, briefly trimming the margin behind perimeter looks and transition baskets, but Eastern answered each push with steady execution. Torkornoo continued to generate points on finishes and second-chance opportunities, while Monahan connected from deep and in transition to keep the lead comfortable.
Monahan finished with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, going 4-of-6 from three and 2-of-2 at the line, providing Eastern with consistent scoring whenever Evergreen threatened. Torkornoo posted one of the most complete lines of the season, recording 20 points and 19 rebounds on 9-of-14 shooting, as the Mountaineers held a decisive 43-23 rebounding advantage and scored 18 second-chance points.
Eastern's balance showed throughout the rotation as
Logan Orchard scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and added three assists, while
Cole Hammack contributed six assists off the bench.
Caleb Schroeder chipped in eight points, and Eastern's bench totaled 27, allowing the Mountaineers to maintain control across the second half.
Evergreen was led by Tony Frohlich-Fair's 17 points and Gabriel Wigginton's 14, and the Geoducks shot better after halftime, but Eastern's efficiency inside and steady shot-making ultimately created separation down the stretch.
Eastern Oregon now enters the holiday break unbeaten in conference play and will return to action on December 30 at College of Idaho, its I-84 rival currently receiving votes in the national poll.
