LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University won its home opener on Friday afternoon as they defeated New Hope Christian College, 88-51. Nicole Redd led the Mountaineers with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
EOU and New Hope Christian stayed locked in a tight battle for the first five minutes of the contest. After a Taya Harbick layup trimmed the Mountaineers lead to 11-7, the Mountaineers picked up the offense and the defense.
Eastern Oregon went on a 26-6 run to pull away and extend its lead to, 37-13, after a Jeni Hoffert three pointer. The Mountaineers continued to build its lead and went into halftime leading 43-17. The Mountaineers shot 42 percent from the floor and were led in scoring by Nicole Redd, who was four-for-six from behind the arc.
EOU continued to pull away in the second half and never let the Deacons get closer than 20 points in the half. The closest New Hope Christian got was 21 points with 18:30 left in the second half. The Mountaineers continued to extend its lead after that and grew the led to as many as 30 after a Taylor Riley jumper.
The Deacons never threatened again and EOU won its home opener, 88-51.
The Mountaineers shot 42 percent from the game and made 15 three pointers in the victory. Eastern Oregon outrebounded the Deacons, 54-32 for the game.
Eastern Oregon returns to action tomorrow when they host New Hope Christian at 2 p.m.