Eastern Gathers Its Forces Vandals Don’T Have Answer Against Rag-Tag Eagles

It was a basketball game without a telling swing of momentum.

Unless you count the days leading up to the contest.

Eastern Washington’s starting lineup and roster underwent several alterations due to disciplinary reasons, but the Eagles made up for their minor transgressions Saturday night by downing Idaho 73-66 in a non-conference matchup viewed by 832 at the Kibbie Dome.

Seniors Jamal Jones, Kareem Hunter and Chris White had fairly innocent reasons for their missteps.

Hunter and Jones were late to a film session because Hunter had an appointment with an eye doctor. Jones accompanied his teammate to the appointment. White visited his family over Christmas break and was late returning to practice - a situation first-year coach Ray Giacoletti knew was coming.

Throw in sophomore guard Marquis Poole being suspended indefinitely and EWU came in with the appearance of a frazzled club. That’s not how the Eagles played, however.

“I felt I let the team down by being late,” Jones said. “It kind of wasn’t my fault, but they still count on me being there. I made sure I worked hard and stayed strong. By me doing that all week and not putting my head down, it helped me get focused on the game.”

EWU (5-5) didn’t display its best game, but it played with poise throughout. In the absence of successful outside shooting, EWU beat Idaho the old-fashioned way: Possession by possession.

“That was one of the more disappointing losses we’ve had over the last four years,” Idaho coach Dave Farrar said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for their team and their coaching, but that is a game we have to win to be successful. I think it’s to Eastern’s credit they got every loose rebound, every loose ball. Our lack of physicalness was a big factor.”

The Eagles rotated Jason Humbert and Chris Johnson for 21 interior points. In fact, most of EWU’s points came in the paint against Idaho’s undersized front line.

“We’ve tried to do that the whole year, but we haven’t done a very good job of it,” Giacoletti said.

Hunter and White combined for 15 rebounds, helping Eastern to a 39-22 edge on the boards. Jones scored 16 points, nine in the final 7 minutes as the Eagles held off the Vandals.

Idaho (3-8) trailed 40-39 when it hit a particularly rough stretch. Chris Monroe, who had 17 points, missed a dunk and Bethuel Fletcher missed a layup as EWU eased out to a 44-39 lead.

Idaho closed within three at 56-53 on Matt Gerschefske’s 3-pointer with 6:25 remaining, but Jones answered with a 12-footer. The Vandals fought back to 60-57, but Humbert and Aaron Olson, playing in his first game since breaking a finger in the season opener, each connected on two free throws to restore EWU’s lead.

The Vandals put four players in double figures, led by Gerschefske’s 19 points. However, Idaho had only three points from its four bench players. EWU, with 37 points from its starters and 36 from reserves, had eight players score. The Eagles’ inside work led to 25 free throws, 19 of which were successful.

Idaho led 27-22 late in the first half, but a 4-minute dry spell allowed EWU to pull even. The Eagles took a 33-31 halftime edge on Hunter’s short bank shot.

“We’ve had a tough week, probably the toughest we’ve had in the program,” Giacoletti said. “I’m proud of our young men for stepping up through the adversity.” EWU earned its first road win of the season. The Eagles open Big Sky play on the road Thursday against Montana State. Idaho visits Brigham Young on Tuesday.

Eastern Washington 73, Idaho 66

Eastern Washington (5-5) - Quinto 0-2 0-0 0, Lewis 1-1 2-2 4, Humbert 6-12 3-4 15, Olson 1-4 5-6 8, Snow 4-6 2-2 10, Lincoln 0-1 0-0 0, White 2-3 0-1 4, Jones 5-7 5-6 16, Hunter 4-7 2-4 10, Johnson 3-4 0-0 6. Totals 26-47 19-25 73.

Idaho (3-8) - Wise 0-2 0-0 0, Gerschefske 6-12 6-9 19, Monroe 6-14 5-8 17, Miller 6-8 2-2 15, Fletcher 5-14 0-0 12, Logan 0-2 0-0 0, Watson 0-2 0-0 0, Coppage 1-4 0-0 3, Collier 0-1 0-1 0. Totals 24-59 13-20 66.

Halftime-Eastern Washington 33, Idaho 31. 3-Point goals- Eastern Washington 2-8 (Jones 1-2, Olson 1-4, Humbert 0-1, Lincoln 0-1), Idaho 5-19 (Fletcher 2-6, Coppage 1-2, Miller 1-3, Gerschefske 1-4, Wise 0-1, Monroe 0-1, Logan 0-2). Fouled out- White, Miller. Rebounds-Eastern Washington (White 10), Idaho (Gerschefske, Monroe 5). Assists-Eastern Washington (Snow 3), Idaho (Miller 4). Total fouls-Eastern Washington 18, Idaho 22 . A-832.