I've just returned to my hotel after filing my story on Eastern Washington's season-ending loss to Montana in the Big Sky conference baksetball semifinals. In the end, the script played out the same as two previous Eagle losses to the Griz, who kept pounding the ball inside, drawing fouls and going to the line. Thirty-two times.
You had to feel for Eagle seniors Cliff Colimon, Cliff Ederaine and Laron Griffin, all of whom had a special burden Tuesday night. Colimon was trying to show up Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year Will Cherry, and with a game-high 27 points, he largely did so. Griffin and Ederaine did the dirty work inside all night against the beefier Grizzlies, Ederaine falling to leg cramps at one point. And even though the Eagles finished 15-17, this was clearly a better team than the one that lost two earlier meetings with Montana. Unfortunately, so are the Griz, who I think will beat Weber State Wednesday night for the tournament championship.
Jim Allen Sports reporter Jim Allen's primary coverage areas are Eastern Washington University football and men's basketball, Whitworth University men's basketball, and college and high school soccer. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.
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Christian Caple Sports reporter Christian Caple covers Washington State University athletics. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.
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Greg Lee Greg Lee covers high school sports in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.
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Jim Meehan Jim Meehan's coverage areas include Gonzaga University men's basketball, Whitworth University football, the Spokane Shock, golf and volleyball. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.
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Chris Derrick Chris Derrick is a sports reporter for the sports section. His primary coverage areas are the Spokane Chiefs, women's basketball and high school sports in the fall and spring.
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Josh Wright Josh Wright is a freelance correspondent who covers the University of Idaho football team and men's basketball team.
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Vince Grippi is the online producer for SportsLink, a product of The Spokesman-Review.
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