Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 2019)
9A 10A — THE OBSERVER MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 SPORTS Ellen Morris Bishop/EO Media Group Wallowa’s Tristin Bales (12) scored fi ve touchdowns in the Cougars’ win over Cove Friday in the season fi nale for both teams. Ronald Bond/The Observer Eastern Oregon guard Josh Brown, left, scored 28 points and added eight assists in the Mountaineers’ win over Pacifi c Union Saturday. Eastern rallies for 107-95 win By Ronald Bond The Observer The Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team looked to be in trouble early in the second half of its fi nal game in the Quinn Classic. The Mountaineers trailed Pacifi c Union by 12 points, had picked up two techni- cal fouls in less than three minutes, and seemed on the verge of letting the visiting Pioneers pull away. But EOU regained its composure, retook the lead with a 17-0 run, then fi nished off a 107-95 victory Saturday night at Quinn Coliseum. The Pioneers’ lead reached its largest at 63-51, with 15:44 to play after a free throw by De’Rajaee Austin, before EOU regrouped and put the game in hand — which head coach Carlito Labarda Jr. said resulted largely from getting back to playing basketball and not worrying about what it felt were questionable calls. “This includes myself — I think we were concentrated too much on calls and the refereeing, so I made a con- scious effort not to say any- thing to the refs, and I told the bench during a timeout, ‘No more talking to the refs, no more complaining about calls,’” he said. It worked. A jumper by Josh Brown — who led Eastern with 28 points — a 3-pointer by Zane Wright and a rim-rattling dunk by Land- on Jones pulled EOU within 63-60 and fi red up the team and the crowd. Two fi eld goals by Max McCullough gave the Mountaineers their fi rst lead since the 9:04 mark of the fi rst half, and two more Jones fi eld goals — including another big dunk — pushed the lead to fi ve. “This year we’ve got more versatility, and we as a team can just come together and bounce back,” Jones said. Tim Ford fi nally ended the run — and a six-minute scoring drought for Pacifi c Union — with a jumper with 9:41 to play. But Eastern — which shot 59.6% from the fl oor — gradually began to distance itself, either with timely 3-pointers from Wright, Brown or Brock Johnson, inside scoring off dribble-penetration from Brown or McCullough, or the free-throw line. Eastern was 32-for-37 from the fl oor for the game, 23-for-27 in the second half. “I think it started with our guards starting to get penetration, and that led to dump-downs or kick outs to shooters,” Jones said of the turnaround. “Zane Wright hit a couple (and) Brock hit a couple.” The lead reached double fi gures at 84-74 on a Brown 3-pointer with 4:47 to play in the game, and it grew to as much as 14 — 92-78 — on Wright’s corner 3-pointer, his third of the game, with 2:38 left. The Pioneers got no closer than eight the rest of the way. Brown, who also had a team-high eight assists, was one of fi ve players in double fi gures for EOU, which seemed incapable of miss- ing once it found its rhythm in the second half. After the break, the Mountaineers shot 69.2% (18-for-26) from the fl oor and were 5-for-9 from 3-point range after the break. Jones added 23 points and 15 rebounds for EOU, which had nine players score. Mc- Cullough (12 points), Wright (11) and Johnson (10) were also in double fi gures. “I like the balance of this team. If one guy doesn’t play well, other guys can pick that slack up for them,” Labarda said. McCullough added seven assists, and Peter Hamilton played a big role defensively with three blocked shots. Eastern grabbed the lead early in the contest, but Marc Williams’ 3-pointer put the Pioneers up 10-9 with 13:47 to play in the opening half as both teams struggled to get going offensively. Two fi eld goals by Andreas Brown gave EOU a 15-10 lead with 11:34 to play in the half before the Pioneers pulled ahead, going on a 21-6 run for a 31-21 lead on Isaiah McCullough’s jumper with 6:13 to play in the half. The lead reached 11 before Eastern cut the defi cit to 46-43 at the half, fi nishing on a 15-7 run. The Mountaineers opened the Quinn Classic — and the season — with a much less stressful 109-81 victory over Westcliff Friday evening. Eastern, which never trailed in Friday’s win, broke the game open with a 20-3 run, going up 16-6 after consecutive 3s by Max McCullough and Wright, and 26-9 when Josh Brown’s jumper capped the run. The lead reached 40-20 later in the half on a Brandon Porter jumper and its largest of the fi rst half at the break — 57-29 — on a steal and jumper by Brown. The lead grew to as much as 30 in the second half. A trio of Mountaineers reached 20 points in the game. McCullough led the way with 27 points and hit fi ve 3-pointers. Jarek Schetzle added 21 points, and Brown scored 20. Eleven players scored all told for EOU, which shot 56.3% and hit 10 3-pointers. Schetzle added 13 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead EOU. The Mountaineers (2-0 overall) face Montana Tech Friday at the Montana Tech Fall Classic LHS girls beat Ontario, boys tie Observer staff The La Grande Tigers girls soccer team scored three goals in a seven- minute span to pull away for a 4-0 road win over Ontario Saturday and fi nish off an- other perfect Greater Oregon League season. “(We had a) slow start in the fi rst half. Much better movement and passing in the second half,” head coach Sam Brown said. Audrey Garlitz scored an Nik Streng/Argus Observer early goal for the Tigers for a The La Grande boys soccer team celebrates after Devin 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, Ingram, center, scores early in the second half Saturday. but the team didn’t break the game open until Katie second half. The match held LHS BOYS FINISH Perry scored in the 39th for a WITH A TIE at 1-0 until Julian Tellez 2-0 lead at the half. Lauran scored in the closing minutes. The La Grande Tigers Rinker (43rd minute) and La Grande (7-4-1 over- boys soccer team was mere Cecelia Aguilera (46th) all, 2-3-1 GOL) now waits minutes away from stealing scored early in the second to see who it will face in a a win on the road against half for the fi nal margin. state play-in game, and the Ontario, but a late goal La Grande (11-2 overall, location of that contest. The forced the teams to settle 6-0 GOL) awaits to see who matchups will be determined for a 1-1 tie in the regular it will face in the fi rst round when the OSAA rankings season fi nale Saturday in of the state playoffs. La freeze Tuesday, with the Ontario. Grande will host the fi rst- match likely to take place Devin Ingram gave La round game Nov. 5. Friday or Saturday. Grande the lead early in the Wallowa finishes with win Observer staff The Wallowa Cougars fi nished the foot- ball season on a high note, thumping Cove, 80-0, Friday night in Special District 3-East action in Wallowa. The Cougars won two of their fi nal three games after an 0-5 start to the season. Their fi nal two victories were both in blowout fashion, and two late losses came by a com- bined total of 18 points. Wallowa totaled 461 yards of offense, including 413 on the ground, and held Cove to just 49 yards. Tristin Bales accounted for fi ve fi rst-half touchdowns and Zeb Ramsden added three as Wallowa scored 30 points in each of the fi rst two quarters to lead at the break, 60-0. Bales rushed for 95 yards and three scores, and also had a kickoff return and an interception return for a touchdown. Ramsden had 135 total yards, a receiving touchdown, a rushing score and a punt return for a touchdown. The Cougars fi nish with an overall record of 2-6, and 2-4 in SD3-E. Cove fi nishes at 0-7, and 0-6 in the district. UNION FINISHES REGULAR SEASON WITH WIN Cameron Dillman rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and the Union Bobcats wrapped up the 2019 regular season with a 40-8 home win over Ione/Arlington Friday in Special District 3-West action. As a team, the Bobcats amassed 558 yards on the ground, and with its fourth win secured its highest win total since 2016, when the team also won four games. Anthony Goodwater added 93 yards rush- ing and a touchdown, and Gannon Carreiro added a 90-yard scoring run. Levi Hammond and Quinn Morton also scored in the win. Union (4-3 overall, 3-2 SD3-W) will face Crane in the Special District 3 playoffs Friday at Community Stadium with a state playoff berth on the line. The teams met earlier this season, with Crane winning 56-0. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ELGIN FALLS TO CRANE The Crane Mustangs pulled away from Elgin in the second half to earn a 54-28 victory and secure the No. 2 seed in Special District 3-East Friday afternoon. Elgin led 20-6 late in the second quarter before turnovers swung the game. The Huskies committed eight turnovers. Tristan Simpson had 57 yards rushing and two touchdowns and also passed for 106 yards. Wyatt Hallgarth added 114 yards rushing and a touchdown. Elgin (5-2 overall, 4-2 SD3-E) will face Dufur in the SD3 playoffs Friday at Commu- nity Stadium with an automatic state playoff berth at stake. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. EAGLES ROLL INTO TITLE GAME The Joseph Eagles ran over yet another opponent, smoking Prairie City/Burnt River Saturday, 49-0, in the 6-man crossover. The Eagles (6-0 overall) face South Wasco County Saturday at Madras High School for the 6-man state title. TREASURE VALLEY STEEL, INC. Manufacturing Zee & Cee Purlins In-HouseCustom Cut Exact Lengths • 24 Colors • Custom Trim • 2 1/2” Corrugated • Delivery Available • Full Soffitt Line • 3 ft. Gulf Coast Panel • 3 ft. PBR Panel • 3 ft. Mesa Panel • 3 ft. Tuff Rib Panel • Standing Seam DELIVERY • 2 ft. Delta Rib AVAILABLE • 3 ft. Pro Panel 40 Year Full Paint Warranty • WeatherX Paint System ONTARIO 541-889-4214 BOISE 208-336-7505 1460 N. Verde Dr. Toll Free 1-866-887-8335 6619 S. Supply Way Toll Free 1-888-717-8335 WWW.TREASUREVALLEYSTEEL.COM
