LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University men's basketball team defeated The Evergreen State College Geoducks, 90-84, Friday night at Quinn Coliseum.
De'Sean Mattox and
Bryan McGriff lead the Mountaineers with 24 points apiece, while
Michael Crane followed with 20 points.
Case Rada scored 10 points to round out the Mountaineers in double-figures. McGriff collected 10 rebounds on the night for his sixth double-double of the season. Frankie Johnson led all scorers, on the night, as he scored 28 points for Evergreen. Jordan Dam followed with 15 points and Alix Hernandez scored 11 for the Geoducks.
Jordan Dam for Evergreen scored the first basket of the night and on the next possession EOU's
Bryan McGriff answered right back with a jumper of his own. After 7 minutes of play, EOU found themselves down 10, 18-8. EOU and Evergreen traded points, until a layup by McGriff kicked off EOU's 8-0 run to tie the ball game back at 24.
EOU took their first lead of the night, on a three pointer by McGriff, with five minutes left in the first half. EOU continued to add to that lead and found themselves ahead of 13, 45-32, going into halftime.
Much like the first half, Evergreen scored the first basket of the second half and EOU answered back with a basket of their own. EOU continued to hammer Evergreen to pad their lead to the largest of the night, 21 points, 60-39, after a layup by Mattox.
Evergreen slowly began to chip away at EOU's lead, finding themselves down 10, 62-52, after a three pointer by Frankie Johnson. EOU continued to score and trade baskets with Evergreen, finding themselves ahead by 9, 68-77, with 3 minutes to go in the game.
Evergreen looked to make a comeback late in the second half, cutting EOU's lead to as little as 6, but ultimately fell short and EOU took the victory, 90-84.
EOU returns to action tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. against Northwest University. Evergreen travels over to Caldwell, Idaho to take on College of Idaho.