EWU trip starts in Northridge

Eastern Washington goes for its first road men’s basketball win this afternoon at 4:05 at Cal State Northridge, the first of four straight games on the road for the Eagles.

Northridge (4-3) averages 86.4 points and forces 22 turnovers per game but allows 80.4 points and averages almost 24 turnovers. The Matadors beat Redlands 159-97 but in their last two games lost 66-44 at Illinois State and 91-70 at Tulsa.

Only two players average in double figures, led by 6-foot-8 junior forward Calvin Chitwood at 13.1, but eight score at least five.

Three Eagles are in double figures, led by Rodney Stuckey at 27.1. Omar Krayem adds 14 and Paul Butorac averages 12.3 points and 10.5 rebounds. Six other players average at least five points.

The Eagles (4-3) also have games at Portland, Santa Clara and Oregon before returning to Reese Court to face Idaho Dec. 21.

“The four-game road trip will be tough,” Eagles coach Mike Burns said. “Focus is something we need on the road. If you want to win on the road you have to play better than the other team in terms of execution, effort and focus.”

Dave Trimmer