LA GRANDE, Ore. – The RV Eastern Oregon Men's Basketball team stepped one game closer to the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championship title with a 70-63 victory over Southern Oregon.
Eastern Oregon battled for early control in a tightly contested first quarter. Southern Oregon came out strong, using aggressive scoring from Gio Evanson to build a 33-30 lead after the opening 20 minutes. Both teams traded baskets and struggled to separate, but Southern Oregon's offense was efficient enough to claim the early advantage.
In the third quarter, Eastern Oregon tightened its defensive intensity and started to shift momentum. Behind improved execution on both ends of the floor, the Mountaineers began chipping away at the deficit. Their sustained pressure and tougher rebounding helped swing the game in their favor.
As the game moved into the final period, Eastern Oregon's offense found a rhythm — led by strong shooting and aggressive drives — that Southern Oregon couldn't match. EOU outscored the Raiders in the second half and secured a 70-63 victory to cap a hard-fought night.
Eastern was paced by
Eamon Monahan, who scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds while adding a block and a steal. Monahan was nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 9-of-10 attempts.
James Bodily added 16 points, and
Keilan Torkornoo contributed 13 points.
Southern was led by Gio Evanson, who poured in 27 points with seven rebounds and a block. Bryce Dyer recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, including three three-pointers.
The Mounties are currently tied in the first place standing with Lewis-Clark State with a 15-4 record.
The Mountaineers will return to Quinn Coliseum tomorrow night, February 21, for the final CCC regular season matchup at 5:00 PM, in hopes of securing the regular season championship.
