Mountaineers fall against Montana Tech

TOUGH TEST: Ashlee Michelson and the Mountaineers basketball team fell to NAIA Division I Montana Tech 79-72. - Observer File Photo

EOU was led by Ashlee Michelson’s 17 points, and first year Mountaineer, Anne Barnett, who finished with 15 points. The Eastern duo made 14 of their 24 shots from the field. EOU shot 44 percent from the field as a team, and 38 percent from behind the perimeter.

The Mountaineers finished last season first in the nation in free throw percentage shooting 79 percent, but begin the 2009-10 season shooting 55 percent from the charity stripe.

Eastern cut down its turnovers only losing the ball 14 times Sunday, while UMW turned it over on 18 occasions. Michelson led the Mountaineers with six rebounds. Alyssa Garro and Kyle Miller each had two assists to lead EOU.

The Bulldogs won their first game of the season and were led by Kristen Luedtke’s 21 points, on 9 of 11 shooting from the field. Nicole Tams and Jamie Lake finished with 15 and 12 points respectively for Western.

UMW’s Megan Crist had a game-high 11 rebounds.

Eastern Oregon will look to rebound Friday when it travels to NCAA Div. 1 opponent, the University of Idaho, in an exhibition match. The Mountaineers next regular season game is on Nov. 10 at Walla Walla University. EOU’s next home game is Nov. 21 against Willamette University in the Aramark Holiday Classic.