GU, EWU will play exhibitions

The Gonzaga Bulldogs, after dumping NCAA Division II Augustana 89-53 in Wednesday night’s exhibition opener, conclude their preseason men’s basketball schedule at 7 tonight with a matchup against Warner Pacific in the sold-out McCarthey Athletic Center.

Warner Pacific, a Portland-based NAIA Division II school, is coming off a 24-9 season that included its first postseason playoff berth and a No. 5 ranking in the final 2005-06 NAIA poll. The Knights return two starters, junior guards Scott Gallagher and Josh Jackson, from last year’s team, which won the Cascade Conference regular-season title.

Eighth-year coach Bart Valentine does not have a senior on his roster, which includes six junior college transfers.

GU opens its regular season Friday with a 5 p.m. matchup against Eastern Washington University in the McCarthey Athletic Center.

EWU vs. NW Nazarene

Eastern Washington unveils its new up-tempo offense at 2 p.m. today when it faces Northwest Nazarene in a men’s basketball exhibition game at Reese Court.

The Division II Crusaders, a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, were 12-15 last year, 7-11 in conference. One of their top players is Ferris graduate Marcus Clift, who averaged 10.2 points and 6.3 assists last year at point guard.

Brandon Rinta, an assistant at EWU last year, is at Northwest Nazarene with head coach Tim Hills, who is 453-409 in 27 seasons as a college coach.

The Eagles finished 15-15 last year and third in the Big Sky Conference.