Eastern Sees Season-Ending Win As A Big Boost For Squad’s Future

It won’t erase the tragic memory of a fallen teammate. It might not even do much to ease the sting of the 11-game losing streak that preceded it.

But Eastern Washington’s emotional, and much-needed, 78-72 Big Sky Conference win over Idaho State Thursday night might stand - for now, at least - as the most important in the Eagles’ two seasons under coach Steve Aggers.

“It’s just a great win for our program,” Aggers said after his Eagles snapped their 11-game skid in front of a Reese Court crowd of 1,275 to finish at 7-19 overall and 3-13 in the Big Sky.

“It’s a positive end to a very long and trying season. And it gives us something to build on for next year.” It also gave Aggers’ two seniors, Luke Egan and Travis King, a memorable and fitting sendoff that saw them each throw in a career-high 22 points.

Egan, a 6-foot-7 swingman who was used at three different positions on this night, made 7 of 11 field-goal tries, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. King, who alternated between the point- and off-guard positions, was 5 for 11 from the field and 4 for 5 from beyond the 3-point line.

“Luke and Travis both had great games - particularly offensively,” Aggers said. “I thought we did a good job of setting screens and getting them good looks with their feet set.

“I was happy to see them go out on a positive note after such a tough year.”

Egan, who in his four seasons at Eastern has suffered through 83 losses and the death of teammate Rod McClure, who was killed in a traffic accident earlier this season, was ecstatic over win.

“I’ve had my share of losses,” admitted the Melbourne, Australia, native, “but this is by far the sweetest win.

“I got into the team room and I actually cried, you know. That’s not being a wuss or anything, I was just very happy. To finish off with a win for me and Travis is phenomenal - and for the program as a whole, too. This is going to be a stepping stone for them to kick some butt next year.”

Making the win even sweeter was the fact that it came against an Idaho State team (13-12, 8-7) that came in tied for fourth place in the Big Sky standings.

The Bengals had the upper hand earlier, thanks to the inside power and agility of center Nate Green, who finished with 18 points. But Aggers’ decision to stay in a zone defense throughout most of the second half helped neutralize the 6-8, 250-pound senior.

The Eagles fouled out three front-line players - Mike Sims, Jon Berger and Eddie Turner - trying to deal with Green, and put ISU on the foul line 35 times in the process.

The Bengals converted only 22 of their free throws however, and lost their last chance at a comeback win when Ron Harwell’s apparent 3-pointer with 3 seconds remaining was ruled a 2, leaving ISU trailing 76-72.

Bengal coach Herb Williams protested the call that kept his team two possessions from the lead, but he admitted afterward that it did not decide the game.

EWU 78, Idaho St. 72

Idaho St. (13-12) - Preston 6-14 3-6 15, Tarver 3-7 0-0 7, Green 4-13 10-15 18, Culbreath 3-5 0-0 7, Harwell 3-7 8-10 14, Sukut 1-12 0-1 2, Sant 3-4 1-3 9, Lei 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-52 22-35 72.

EWU (7-19) - Egan 7-11 4-5 22, Scott 3-7 1-4 7, Sims 3-5 0-0 6, King 5-11 8-10 22, Lewis 2-4 1-1 5, Moss-Kelley 0-0 0-0 0, Garcille 0-0 0-0 0, Claus 1-2 3-4 6, Berger 2-2 1-2 5, Turner 2-3 1-2 5. Totals 25-45 19-28 78.

Halftime-Idaho St. 34, E. Washington 32. 3-Point goals-Idaho St. 4-11 (Tarver 1-4, Culbreath 1-3, Sukut 0-1, Sant 2-3), E. Washington 9-14 (Egan 4-6, King 4-5, Lewis 0-1, Claus 1-2). Fouled out-Idaho St., Green, Harwell. E. Washington, Sims, Berger, Turner. Rebounds-Idaho St. 28 (Preston 8), E. Washington 34 (Scott 9). Assists-Idaho St. 11 (Culbreath 4), E. Washington 13 (Egan, Scott, King, Claus 3). Total fouls-Idaho St. 25, E. Washington 26. A-1,275.

, DataTimes