LA GRANDE, Ore. - The Eastern Oregon University men's basketball team (20-5, 13-4 CCC) came back from a sloppy first half performance to defeat the Eagles of Northwest University (12-14, 6-11 CCC) 72-57. The Mountaineers outscored the Eagles 41-26 in the second stanza which was the difference.
In the first half both teams struggled to find their stroke, as neither team could find their touch and went into the intermission tied at 31 points apiece. The first half was marred with sloppy play as each team had multiple turnovers and shot under 35% from the three point line on both sides. The second half would see the Mountaineers change their focus in the second half and turned up the defensive intensity.
Eastern held the Eagles to just 7-of-32 shooting in the second half, including just 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. Eastern turned that defense into offense, shooting 45% in the second half and connecting on 6-of-14 three-point shots. Eastern went to work on the glass, grabbing 45 rebounds on the night to Northwest's 33.
Eastern was led by reserve junior Dan Stafford, who came in and had a game-high eighteen points. Senior Kris Groce had thirteen points while fellow senior Paul Carollo had a great night on the boards, grabbing a game-high seventeen rebounds. The only Eagle in double figure scoring was senior Eddie Coulson with thirteen points.
The Mountaineers will now have to face the Geoducks of the Evergreen State College on Saturday, February 14th. Before the game, the Mountie men will honor their five seniors. Paul Carollo, Neil Fryer, Jeremy Templeton, Rickey Lott and Kris Groce will all be recognized for their achievements before the 7:30 p.m. tip-off of the game.