Eagles remain winless in Big Sky

POCATELLO – Finally, the Eastern Washington University men’s basketball team can put recent stops in New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah and Idaho in its rear-view mirror.

Idaho State jumped out to a 17-point lead in the first half and held off the Eagles after halftime for an 83-72 Big Sky Conference men’s basketball victory on Saturday in Pocatello, Idaho.

Eastern made only three of its first 15 shots of the game to put the Eagles (5-8, 0-2 Big Sky) in a hole they could never get out of. Led by the 19 points of sophomore Tyler Harvey, four Eagles scored in double figures as they combined for all but eight of EWU’s points.

“When you are missing shots, that’s when your defense has to be at their best,” said Eastern head coach Jim Hayford. “Unfortunately, our lack of offensive success I thought stopped some of our defense and we dug too big of a hole.”

Eastern sophomore Venky Jois finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the 13th double-double of his 41-game career, and fourth this season.

Eastern ended a four-game road stretch and will now host Montana (Thursday) and Montana State (Saturday) at Reese Court. Eastern hasn’t played a home game since Dec. 15.

Idaho State (5-6, 2-0) ended an eight-game losing streak against Eastern.