by Dawson Forcella
LA GRANDE, Ore.- The Mounties wrapped up this weekend’s road trip with a win over Bushnell on Saturday evening. Phillip Malatare’s 23 points powered the Mounties to a 75-70 victory over the Beacons. With the win the Mounties advance to 12-5 overall and 9-2 in conference this season.
Malatare got the ball rolling with 14 first-half points. Eastern set the tone early in the paint outscoring Bushnell 16-10 in the first half. As time ticked down Eastern went up seven with a minute and a half to go thanks to an Emmit Taylor jumper. Bushnell worked their way back thanks to back-to-back three pointers by Luke Smith to make it a one-point game at the half.
While the Mounties couldn’t find their touch from deep all evening, they doubled down on their inside attack in the second half outscoring the Beacons inside again, this time by 14 points (26-12). Malatare added another nine points along with Adam Orr who chipped in nine of his own. Even with some woes at the free throw line the Mounties took home the win, 75-70.
Next up for the Mountaineers is Southern Oregon on Friday. The Mounties will visit Ashland for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.
BY THE NUMBERS
- The Mounties, usually one of the best shooting teams in the country, adjusted well on an off night from deep outscoring the Beacons 42-22 inside
- It was a slower game with neither team finding a lot of success in transition making ball security more important as the Mounties only gave up seven turnovers
- The shooting struggles made their way to the line as well with the Mounties shooting 56.5%
STANDOUT MOUNTIE PERFORMANCES
- Phillip Malatare: 23 PTS, 10-17 FG, 6 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK
