CHENEY, Wash. — In a game that saw 20 ties, 21 lead changes and 10 combined players in double figures scoring, of course it was the seniors who came up clutch in the final moments of Eastern Washington's 108-104 overtime win over the Montana State Bobcats (13-17, 8-9 Big Sky) in Cheney on Saturday.
Ellis Magnuson and
Jake Kyman, who were recognized for their collegiate careers in a pre-game ceremony, sank two apiece to ice the win and push EWU to their 20th win of the year (20-10, 14-3 Big Sky).
It was a notably chippy game from the start at Reese Court, with 51 total fouls called including five technicals and a player ejection — MSU's Brandon Walker just over five minutes into regulation — limiting the rhythm for both sides. Eastern shot 58% overall (34-for-59) despite going only 7 for 24 from beyond the 3-point line. The Bobcats were less efficient overall (36-74; 49%) but hit 15 threes on 34 attempts.
After Montana State reserve forward John Olmsted — playing a career-high 28 minutes with Walker unavailable — found an easy dunk for two of his 15 points with 1:20 left in regulation to give MSU a 2-point lead, Eagle redshirt freshman LeJuan Watts snapped him a triple from the right corner and followed up with a spinning layup to give EWU a 3-point edge with 24 seconds remaining. Watts finished with career-best 21 points on an efficient 8 for 11 from the floor.
Bobcats guard Eddie Turner III hit a clutch three to tie it with 8 seconds remaining, forcing EWU to head to overtime for the first time since February 2022, when they beat the same MSU program 88-86 at home.
Six different Eagles scored in the extra time — led by Watts with 6 points — as EWU displayed beautiful ball movement to find easy buckets inside. They scored 52 points in the paint and made a season-high 33 free throws on the day. Ethan Price hit three freebies to put Eastern up 7 with 34 seconds left but two quick buckets by MSU cut it to 3 again just 16 seconds later. They traded layups once more before Magnuson and Kyman sealed it late.
Cedric Coward picked up his sixth double-double of the season with a team-high 23 points and 10 rebounds, plus 2 assists. Watts added 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists and a steal to his 21 points. Kyman finished with 18 despite going an uncharacteristic 1-for-8 from 3. For MSU, Turner finished with 24 to top all scorers, helped by Brian Goracke (22) and veteran point guard Robert Ford III chipped in 18.
It's the sixth time since joining Division I that Eastern has reached 20 wins.
Eastern will close out their regular season schedule with a trip to Sacramento State on Monday, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Watch live on ESPN+ or listen to the Voice of the Eags, Larry Weir, on the radio via 700 ESPN, 105.3 FM and the Varsity Network App.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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