2/20/07: Eastern Men Finish Regular Season Strong

February 20, 2007

Eastern Oregon tied a school record with a victory over Southern Oregon in Ashland, 74-63.
SOU jumped out to an early 20-6 lead over the Mountaineers, but a change in defense and better execution on offense allowed the Mounties to completely turn the tables and take a six point lead into halftime.
Four Mounties were in double figures led by Jeremy Templeton’s 20 points. Derek Brown chipped in 18 points, while Tanner McIntosh and Neil Fryer had 12 and 11 points respectively.

The following night, Eastern traveled to Klamath Falls to take on seventh ranked Oregon Tech, EOU came into the night at 22.
The Mountaineers seemed to be cruising to an upset, leading by 11 with nine minutes to play. However late in the game and inspired by a sold-out and raucous crowd, the Hustlin’ Owls made a run and won the game 78-69.
O.I.T. All-American guard Levell Hesia’s game high 25 points proved to be the deciding factor. Brown led the Mountaineers with 16 points.
Eastern has not won in Klamath Falls since December 19, 1976.

Eastern would return to La Grande to close the regular season against another ranked opponent in number 14 Albertson College.
EOU led the whole game, by as much as 14 at one time, but the ‘Yotes would cut the lead to two with just minutes to play. Albertson missed a chance to tie with a three-point shot from the corner as the time expired, the Mountaineers prevailed 78-75.
Brown, a senior, led EOU on Senior Night with 16 points. Vernon Copper who, along with Brown, played in his final home game finished with just 2 points but provided much needed defensive intensity. The senior from Portland helped hold the Coyotes 15 points below their season average of 90.
Eastern now has possession of the I-84 Cup, which goes to the winner of this rivalry. Albertson had won the previous 5 meetings in La Grande.

The Mountaineers enter the postseason with an opening round game of the Cascade Conference Tournament at Albertson College.
EOU enters the game as the fifth seed in the conference at 12-6 in conference play and 21-7 overall. The Cascade Conference is arguably one of the best conferences in NAIA Men’s Division II. One would think winning 20 plus games in such a conference maybe enough to land the Mountaineers an at-large bid in the National Tournament in Branson, Missouri.
But, Eastern can control its own fate if it wins the conference tournament.