11/19/07: EOU Bounces Back

November 19, 2007

After dropping their first game, the Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team responded with a come-from-behind win over Willamette University, 95-88.

Behind a career high 27 points from Kyle Janke, EOU (6-1) rallied from an early 27-11 deficit. The 18th ranked Mountaineers abandoned their usual quick, spread-out offense to giving the ball to Janke in the post.

Janke was not the only threat for Eastern however; Mark Carollo scored a season-best 30 points. Mark made four of five behind the arc and ten of eleven overall. The Hermiston native also added seven rebounds and three assists. Jeremy Templeton added 13 points for the Mountaineers.

Willamette (1-1) was led by Kyler McClary's 22 points and 7 rebounds. Mike Smith added 15 points, while freshman Robbie Kunkie had 13 points and 7 assists.

The Mountaineers shot well over their season average from the field at 51 percent and 53 percent from the three-point line, making nine of 17 behind the arc. Willamette also shot very well finishing 54 percent from the field.

“I thought we played tough, bouncing back from the early deficit, but we still have a ways to come. I enjoyed playing good competition here and it’s exactly what we needed going into conference play,” head coach Ryan Looney said after the win.

Eastern has a long break before their next action on November 30th, when they open Cascade conference play against Southern Oregon in La Grande.