On New Year's Eve, Eastern Washington men's basketball pulled off the upset of the season, defeating the defending Big Sky Champions, Montana State, 70-67. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team separating, but the Eagles went ahead late behind a made three-pointer from Steele Venters. Eastern is now 2-0 to start conference play and 8-7 overall this season, winning its last four games. The Bobcats fell to 1-1 in the Big Sky and 8-7 overall.

Angelo Allegri led the team with a game-high 19 points, including 12 during a crucial stretch in the second half. He was 8-of-15(53.3%) from the floor and 3-of-7(42.9%) on threes. Venters scored 17 points on 5-of-9(55.6%) shooting and 3-of-4(75.0%) from behind the arc.

The Eagles went 18-of-20(90.0%) from the free throw line in the win.

Montana St. started the game with a 6-2 lead at the first media timeout, scoring all of its points in the paint. The Eagles remained in striking distance, making their free throws to limit the Bobcats lead. Eastern would take its first lead on a made three from Tyreese Davis. Deon Stroud would extend the lead to 20-17 with 9:07 on the clock, connecting on a jump shot. On Eastern's next possession, Stroud drained a three and further built the lead. Steele Venters jumped into the action and hit two three-point shots to give the Eagles a 31-24 lead with 3:23 left in the half. Cedric Coward would add two free throws to extend the lead to nine points. The Bobcats would score four-straight to end the half and cut into the deficit. Eastern led 33-28 after the first 20 minutes, shooting 34.8 percent from the floor and making 12-of-12 free throws. MSU shot 44.4 percent in the first half.

The Bobcats came out focused in the second half, taking the lead at 36-35 on a made three-pointer. The Eagles would get the lead back with free throws from Ethan Price at 17:54. MSU would then tie the game, but Dane Erikstrup made two more at the line for give Eastern a 39-37 lead. The Bobcats would get a quick 5-0 run to take the lead, before Coward found space in the paint for a layup to get it back. MSU's shooters continued to work, and they would take a 45-43 lead with 11:53 left in the game. It was Angelo Allegri's time to shine as the senior hit back-to-back threes and the Eagles led 49-48. The game remained close, as the lead continued to change hands. Allegri was on fire for Eastern, scoring the next six points for the Eagles. In total, Allegri scored 12-straight points for the Eagles and the game was tied at 55 with 6:42 on the clock. The Bobcats would make two threes, but Eastern was right behind with five points to counter. Davis would then tie the game at 63 with made three-pointer, off the feed from Coward. MSU would go ahead by two, but Venters tied the game again with a jumper at 1:05. Venters then handed Eastern the lead with a long three-point shot and 19 seconds remaining in the game. Eastern would make its free throws down the stretch and secured the road win over the Bobcats, 70-67. The Eagles shot 50.0 percent in the second half, while Montana St. had a 41.2 percentage.

Eastern Washington shot 42.9 percent overall for the game and 37.0 from three-point range. Montana State finished with a 42.6 percentage and 30.0 from three.

Key Statistics
Eastern swept its Montana road trip for the first time since spring of 2021. That season, the Eagles defeated the Grizzlies, 90-76, and the Bobcats twice, 85-69 and 93-77 on the road. This past Thursday (Dec. 29), Eastern defeated Montana, 87-80 in Missoula.

The Eagles and Bobcats tied 10 times and the lead changed 16 times in the game.

Angelo Allegri and Steele Venters each notched their 18^th career game and fifth this season with three or more made three-point shots. It was Allegri's second-straight game scoring 19 points and third game this season.

Eastern had a 40 to 29 rebounding advantage in the game. Casey Jones pulled down a game-high 12 for his third double digit rebounding game of the season. Allegri nearly had a double-double with nine rebounds. The Eagles had nine offensive rebounds, scoring 18 points on second chance opportunities.

The largest lead of the game was Eastern holding a nine-point advantage with 1:50 left in the first half. The Eagles led the game for 20:10 minutes.

A pair of Eagles were also close to double digits in scoring, as Tyreese Davis and Cedric Coward each finished with nine points.

Up Next
Eastern Washington will play its next four conference games at home, starting with Portland State on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. The Eagles then play Sacramento State on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m.