OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Eastern Oregon University led 45-31 at halftime and the Mountaineers went on to defeat The Evergreen State College 88-70 in Cascade Collegiate Conference men's basketball action on Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Costantino Recreation Center. Eamon Monahan of Eastern Oregon paced all players with 22 points, including four 3-pointers.

EOU upped its record to 9-3 overall, 4-0 in the CCC. Evergreen slipped to 0-6 on the season, 0-4 in the CCC.

The Geoducks were led by Tony Frohlich-Fair (Sr., W) with 17 points and four rebounds. Frohlich-Fair also contributed three assists, three steals, and one blocked shot. Gabriel Wigginton (Jr., W) scored 14 points for Evergreen, while earning seven rebounds. He was 5 for 10 from the field, 2 of 4 on 3-pointers, and 2 for 3 at the free throw line.

Zach Jefferson (Sr, G) supplied nine points for the Geoduck. Kenzel Massey (So., G) tacked on eight points, while Kohrey Bridges (Sr., F) added seven points. Massey and Bridges each hit two 3-pointers.

While Monahan's 22 points topped the Mountaineers, teammate Keilan Torkornoo provided a double-double with 20 points and 19 rebounds. He recorded 16 of his rebounds on the defensive glass. Monahan was 8 for 13 shooting and made 4 of 6 shots from 3-point range. Torkornoo hit 9 of 14 field goals for EOU. Cole Hammack led all players with six assists.

Evergreen took a 7-6 lead with 16:42 left in the first half on a pair of free throws by Nathan Behr (Sr., F). The Mountaineers claimed an 11-7 advantage on a jumper by Logan Orchard with 15:42 to play, but the score was soon tied at 11-11 after Tyler No (Jr., G) scored on a layup and Frohlich-Fair hit a jumper at the 14:34 mark. EOU added a traditional 3-point play by Torkornoo 29 seconds later to give the Mountaineers a 14-11 lead.

A bit later, the Geoducks grabbed an 18-17 edge on a dunk by Massey as the clock reached 12:01. Eastern Oregon countered with a 10-1 run, ending with a 3-pointer by Isaiah Jones for a 27-19 lead with 9:11 to play in the half.

The Mountaineers held a 35-28 advantage with 3:12 left following a jumper by Bradley Graham (Sr., G) of Evergreen. EOU closed the half with a 10-3 run.

After trailing by 14 points at halftime, the Geoducks responded by scoring eight of the first 10 points in the second half. The Geoducks pulled within 47-39 on a 3-pointer by Wigginton with 18:20 remaining. EOU responded with a 9-0, including a 3-pointer and a layup by Torkornoo, and the Mountaineers held a double-digit lead the rest of the way. 

During the second half, Eastern Oregon outscored Evergreen 43-39, as Monahan scored 14 points and Torkornoo earned 13 points. Wigginton tallied 10 points and Frohlich-Fair added eight points for Evergreen over the final 20 minutes.

Overall, EOU connected on 36 of 67 field goals (53.7%), while making 11 of 30 three-point shots (36.7%). The Mountaineers were 5 for 8 on free throws (62.5%). Evergreen shot 44.8% from the field (26 of 58). The Geoducks were 7 for 18 on 3-pointers (38.9%) and hit 11 of 19 free throws (57.9%).