Eagles basketball looks to continue fast start

Off to its best start in five years, the Eastern Washington men’s basketball team opens a challenging month today with a game at unbeaten Saint Mary’s.

The Eagles (5-2) face the unbeaten Gaels (6-0) today at 5:30 p.m., opening a challenging month of December that includes games at Seton Hall and Connecticut before opening Big Sky Conference play Jan. 2.

The only home game will be on Dec. 15 against UC Irvine, which defeated the Eagles 81-58 last month.

“We look at it as a great opportunity to go in there and get a program-defining win as a program,” EWU coach Jim Hayford said.

Eastern is 2-5 all-time against Saint Mary’s, including 0-4 in Moraga, Calif.

One of the victories for the Gaels this season was a 67-63 win over Drake (now 7-1), coached by former Eastern head coach and Gonzaga assistant Ray Giacoletti.