>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

No it’s not a mistake, the Mountaineers defeated Northwest Christian College again.

The two teams met with a simlar outcome from Saturday’s game.

EOU scored 81 points again. Northwest Christian with 58 points.

A night after watching the No. 1 seeded Mountaineers women’s team lose, the men came out to take care of business.

“It was eye opening,” EOU head coach Ryan Looney said. “We still have a lot to play for. It’s all about getting the best possible seed at the national tournament.”

The Mountaineers trailed 5-0 out of the gate, but built their lead to 13 points late in the first half.

EOU dominated by doing the simple things — taking care of  and sharing the basketball.

The Mountaineers committed two turnovers in the first half and dished out 11 assists on their 13 baskets.

Northwest had trouble holding on to the ball, committing 12 turnovers in the opening half.

EOU capitalized on the miscues by scoring 12 points off five steals.

“Taking care of the basketball is an important part of the game at this point of the season,” Looney said. “You can’t afford to give up points.”

Any thoughts of a second half letdown for the second night in a row at Quinn Coliseum were quickly put to rest.

Mark Carollo and company hit from everywhere in the second half.

The Mountaineers shot 60 percent from the field on 18-30 shooting.

Carollo paced the team with 16 points.

But two of Neil Fryer’s 10 points punctuated the win.

Fryer reeled in a Jeremy Templeton pass from half court and slammed it through the cylinder for an alley-opp dunk.

Templeton collected 10 points to go along with his five assists.

Dan Blanchard hit double figures with 13 points.

“It’s up and down the scoresheet,” Looney said. “Everyone is doing their part. That’s what is going to make us tough as the postseason continues.”

EOU will host Warner Pacific at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

NW CHRISTIAN COLLEGE (58)

 Williams 0-1 0-0 0, Quick-Warner 0-1 2-2 2, Whittenburg 3-11 0-0 7, Miller 0-3 2-2 2, Jarrett 6-12 3-8 15, Crinklaw 2-3 0-0 5, Nichols 1-1 0-0 2, Chappell 1-2 0-0 3, Van Loon 4-8 0-0 11, Ritzman 0-1 0-0 0, McKee 4-6 2-2 11. Totals 21-49 9-14 58.

EASTERN OREGON (81)

 M.Carollo 6-8 3-5 16, Landsverk 4-7 0-0 8, Templeton 3-8 2-2 10, P.Carollo 3-4 3-3 8, Fryer 4-11 0-0 10, Sawyers 2-4 0-0 5, Finley 3-5 2-2 9, Blanchard 5-11 2-2 13, Lott 1-1 0-0 2, Ambrose 0-0 0-0 0, Azadganian 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-60 11-13 81.

Halftime score – Eastern Oregon 37, Northwest Christian 26. Three-pointers – Northwest Christian 7-16 (Whittenburg 1-6, Crinklaw 1-2, Chappell 1-1, Ritzman 0-1, Van Loon 3-5, McKee 1-1), Eastern Oregon 8-24 (M.Carollo 3-5, Templeton 2-6, Fryer 2-8, Sawyers 1-1, Finley 1-2, Blanchard 1-4, Azadganian 0-1) Fouled out – None. Total fouls – Northwest Christian 16, Eastern Oregon 17. Technical fouls – None. Turnovers –Northwest Christian 20 , Eastern Oregon 8 . Rebounds – Northwest Christian 31 (Jarrett 15), Eastern Oregon 31 (P. Carollo 6). Assists –Northwest Christian 9 (Quick-Warner 5), Eastern Oregon 21 (Templeton 6).