Eastern Snaps Out Of Its Sickly Slump Dogged By Losing Streak, Flu, Ewu Knocks Off Carroll 72-64

Dragged down by a seven-game losing streak more than a flu outbreak that hit the team last week, the Eastern Washington men’s basketball team became healthy all at once Saturday night.

Adam Dean and Mike Sims were most instrumental in finding the cure, combining for 40 points at Reese Court as EWU rewarded new coach Steve Aggers with his first victory as a Division I head coach, a 72-64 decision over an outclassed Carroll College team that never let the Eagles rest.

“We’ve just had a lot of flu, a lot of illness,” said Aggers, relieved after suffering through an 0-7 start.

“We basically had seven healthy bodies out there tonight - under those circumstances, a win’s a win.”

The Eagles, who hadn’t won since beating Sacramento State last Feb. 28, appeared headed to their ninth straight loss when Carroll jumped to a 10-3 lead in the first 3 minutes.

EWU managed to close the deficit to 32-31 by halftime, thanks in part to D’mitri Rideout’s three-point play on an emphatic dunk over three Fighting Saints (8-6).

Rideout’s dunk and ensuing free throw appeared to energize the Eagles, who took control of the game by scoring the first nine points of the second half. The 6-foot-8 Dean scored six of his game- and career-high 24 points during the run, capitalizing when Carroll, an NAIA school, failed to provide defensive assistance for center Brad Kammerzell.

“They were playing behind me all night, so we took advantage of it,” said Dean, who grabbed 10 rebounds and consistently displayed a competent jump-hook from close range.

Sims added 16 points and six rebounds for EWU.

Carroll coach Gary Turcott, who built a close friendship with Aggers when the two coached in Great Falls, Mont., from 1979-85, wasn’t surprised when the Eagles made their run early in the second half.

“In Great Falls, I was a high school coach and he was the coach of the College of Great Falls there, and I remember he always used to preach about the importance of the first 3 minutes of the second half,” he said.

While Dean and Sims provided the offensive production, the EWU guards protected the basketball for the first time this season, helping the Eagles finish with just seven turnovers after averaging 19 through the first seven games.

Bryant Carter had five assists with just one turnover in 29 minutes; Travis King made four assists with two turnovers in 33 minutes; and Brett Thompson three assists with two turnovers in 18 minutes.

“I just like the fact that I’m looking down there (at the box score) and seeing single digits in turnovers,” Aggers said.

Former Central Valley High School star Paul Allen kept Carroll close, scoring four of his 22 points as the Fighting Saints pulled within the eight-point final margin after trailing 64-47 with 5:28 remaining. Allen had suffered through an off-shooting night in Friday’s loss to Whitworth.

“I really struggled last night, so it’s good to get in a little rhythm,” said Allen, a 6-6 sophomore forward.

Each team played without its leading scorer. Carroll guard Guy Almquist (17 points per game) is out for the season with a knee injury, while EWU guard Curtis Porter (13.7 ppg) missed his first game after registering an “incomplete” grade in a course that ended last week. Aggers said he expects Porter to finish the course and return for the Eagles Dec. 22 game at Gonzaga.

E. Washington 72, Carroll, Mont. 64

Carroll (8-6) - Allen 9-13 2-2 22, Hunter 4-4 4-6 14, Kammerzell 2-5 0-0 4, Asher 3-7 3-4 10, Meredith 2-6 0-0 6, Thoemke 0-0 0-0 0, Van Nic 1-3 0-0 3, DeBow 0-0 0-2 0, Logue 2-3 1-4 5. Totals 23-41 10-18 64.

Eastern Washington (1-7) - Rideout 4-11 3-5 11, Groves 1-6 6-9 8, Dean 11-17 2-3 24, Thompson 0-1 0-0 0, King 0-2 1-2 1, Jackson 0-0 0-0 0, Carter 1-5 2-2 4, Egan 4-7 0-0 8, Sims 7-13 2-4 16. Totals 28-62 16-25 72.

Halftime-Carroll 32, E. Washington 31. 3-Point goals-Carroll 8-17 (Allen 2-5, Hunter 2-2, Meredith 2-5, Asher 1-3, Van Nic 1-2), E. Washington 0-6). Fouled out-Kammerzell. Rebounds- Carroll 24 (Logue 5). E. Washington 35 (Dean 10). Assists-Carroll 15 (Allen, Hunter 4). E. Washington 18 (Carter 5). Total fouls- Carroll 21, E. Washington 17. A-1,020.

, DataTimes