Harvey guides EWU to rout at Montana State

BOZEMAN – Tyler Harvey scored 19 points Thursday night, including 4 of 6 on 3-pointers, Venky Jois added 15, and Eastern Washington handily defeated Montana State 79-50 for its first road win of the season.

Martin Seiferth came off the bench for 12 points and nine rebounds, Drew Bandon grabbed 10 rebounds and the Eagles (10-12, 5-6 Big Sky) shot 52.8 percent from the field and 52.4 percent (11 of 21) from 3-point range.

Harvey added career highs of eight assists and four steals.

Jois had six rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Parker Kelly came off the bench for 11 points and five rebounds.

“Somebody asked what happiness is, and tonight happiness is a road win,” EWU coach Jim Hayford said.

Calen Coleman opened with a layup for the Bobcats (10-12, 5-6), but Eastern Washington took control after that. Jois sank two free throws, sparking a 13-2 run and a 17-6 Eagles lead. A 7-2 run boosted the lead to 28-13 and Eastern led 36-20 at halftime.

Eastern opened the second half with an 8-2 run, led 63-36 after a 9-1 run, and continued to pull away.

The Eagles won the rebound battle 38-22, and the Bobcats finished shooting 38.8 percent (19 of 49).

“We played a really complete game, especially on defense and on the boards,” Hayford said. “We shared the ball very well on offense. They were really keying on Tyler and he was able to run offense that got other guys baskets off the pressure they were putting on him.”

Coleman and Flavien Davis led Montana State with nine apiece.

 Eastern Washington (10-12, 5-6)—Miljkovic 2-3 0-0 4, Harvey 5-9 5-6 19, Seiferth 6-8 0-0 12, Brandon 3-10 0-0 7, Jois 5-12 5-8 15, Hill 1-1 0-0 3, Kelly 3-7 2-2 11, Moon 1-1 0-0 2, Von Hofe 2-2 0-0 6. Totals 28-53 12-16 79.

Montana State (10-12, 5-6)—Davis 3-6 3-5 9, Biglow 3-7 1-3 8, Egwuonwu 2-4 1-2 5, Brown 1-7 0-0 2, Coleman 4-6 0-0 9, Holm 2-7 0-0 5, Brumwell 2-3 0-0 4, Colbert 2-7 1-2 6, Norman 0-0 0-0 0, Robison 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 19-49 8-14 50.

Halftime—E. Washington 36-20. 3-Point Goals—E. Washington 11-21 (Harvey 4-6, Kelly 3-7, Von Hofe 2-2, Hill 1-1, Brandon 1-4, Miljkovic 0-1), Montana St. 4-17 (Coleman 1-2, Biglow 1-4, Colbert 1-4, Holm 1-4, Robison 0-1, Brown 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—E. Washington 38 (Brandon 10), Montana St. 22 (Egwuonwu 7). Assists—E. Washington 15 (Harvey 8), Montana St. 7 (Egwuonwu 4). Total Fouls—E. Washington 16, Montana St. 14. A—1,949.