Back at Reese Court for the first time since Dec. 15, the Eastern Washington University men's basketball team hosted Montana tonight (Jan. 6), falling 90-78. It was a physical game between two of the most-winningest Big Sky Conference programs in the last eight years, with 56 total fouls called between the two teams. With the loss, Eastern is now 8-7 overall and 2-2 in the Big Sky, while Montana improves to 11-5 and 4-1.
 
Four Eagles scored in double figures, led by Linton Acliese III and Rylan Bergersen with 20 points each. Steele Venters (15 pts) and Ethan Price (11 pts) rounded out the scoring.
 
"Montana was better than us in the first four minutes of each half, and that's where they separated themselves. We have to do a better job of preparing our players, and I take responsibility for that. We didn't do a good job preparing for what they were going to bring us, but our players did do a good job adjusting to that," said head coach David Riley. "They did a good job not fouling when we were attacking them, that's kind of who they are. They're a physical team, they get turnovers with that aggression and they take the fouls that come with it. We did a good job getting to the line and got more free throws than them until the end of the game but we have to do a better job finishing."
 
Eastern Washington didn't score until the 14:23 mark of the first half, and Montana took a 9-0 lead in the process. The Eagles then found momentum, and a Mason Landdeck layup helped EWU take its first lead of the game, 21-19, after an 8-0 run. After the game moved back into a 22-22 tie, the Grizzlies went off on a 12-1 run to retake a 33-23 lead. Eastern Washington refused to back down, exploding on an 11-0 run that was capped by a triple from Steele Venters and the Eagles retook a 34-33 lead with 1:57 left in the first. At the half, the Eagles trailed 36-34.
 
Montana opened the second half with a 12-0 run to extend its lead to 53-38 and the Eagles had to play catchup from there. With under 10 minutes to play, Linton Acliese III hit a triple that started a 7-0 run to put the Eagles back within striking distance, cutting the lead to 59-56. That would be as close as Eastern Washington got, as Montana was solid from the free throw line throughout the rest of the game.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Linton Acliese III led the way with 20 points. He was 7-for-14 from the field and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down seven boards, had two assists and a block.
 
Rylan Bergersen also scored in double figures with 20 points, grabbing five rebounds, a block and two steals. He was 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
 
Steele Venters followed with 15 points after going 4-for-9 from the field. He had two assists and a block. Ethan Price rounded things out with an 11-point, six-rebound effort, going 3-for-6 from the field and 5-for-7 from the charity stripe.
Angelo Allegri led the way with seven rebounds.
 
KEY STATISTICS: Eastern Washington was 27-for-34 from the free throw line, shooting 79.4 percent. The Eagles were just 3-for-18 from three-point range and 24-for-57 (42.1%) from the field overall.
 
Montana made eight of its 25 three-point attempts, and were 26-for-30 from the free throw line, plus 28-for-57 from the field.
 
EWU won the rebounding battle, 35-to-27, but committed 17 turnovers to Montana's 11. Both teams were fairly even in the paint, with Eastern holding a slight 38-to-32 advantage.
 
UP NEXT: Eastern Washington hosts Idaho at approximately 3:30 p.m. at Reese Court on Saturday (Jan. 8) after the Eagle and Vandal women play at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and SWX, and available on 700-AM ESPN.
 
As a reminder, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours for fans ages 11 or older is required for entry to home games. Masks must be worn for fans ages five years old or older unless actively eating or drinking.
 
Tickets are available at GoEags.com/tickets.