Eastern Oregon Cruises to Ninth Win
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Hot second half shooting helped Eastern Oregon pull away for a 67-51 victory over the Eagles tonight in the Pavilion.
The first half saw four ties and three lead changes as NU would tie the score at 18-18 with 7:26 left in the half. Eastern Oregon would then go on a 9-1 run to take the lead, 27-19, with 3:38 remaining capped off by two free throws by EOU's Jenny Fiso. A jumper by Fiso with 6 seconds to go in the half would give EOU a 31-21 lead going into the locker room. EOU's defense held the Eagles to 29.6% FG shooting and 16.7% from 3-point range (2 for 12). Eastern Oregon shot a respectable 37.5% from 2-point range and 33% from the 3-point line in the first half as they opened up their lead.
In the second half, EOU accuracy improved to 57% from the 2-point distance and an impressive 50% from beyond the 3-point arc (4 for 8). Rachel Mitchell would start the half for NU with a 3-pointer, but an 8-0 run by Eastern would put them up 39-24 at the 18:14 mark. A Kyle Miller jump shot would increase EOU's lead to 17 points (43-26) with 15:21 remaining. Eastern Oregon's biggest lead would be 61-38 with 5:50 to go in the game and the Mounties would cruise to their ninth win of the season against four losses.
Freshman Jessalyn Jackson (Vancouver, Wash.) led Northwest U. (5-13, 3-6 CCC) with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Senior guard Rachel Mitchell (N. Bend, Wash.) added 11 points and 6 rebounds while teammate Erika Hornyak (Everett, Wash.).
Eastern Oregon's (9-4, 5-2 CCC) Brianna Smith finished with a game high 19 points while adding 5 rebounds. Kyle Miller contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds. EOU out rebounded NU 49 to 34.
Northwest U. remains at home this weekend as they host Northwest Christian University from Eugene, Oregon on Saturday, January 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pavilion. EOU returns to LaGrande and will host Cascade College tomorrow (Tuesday) in a game re-scheduled due to snow in December.