CALDWELL, Idaho — The Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team started off the Taco Bell Shootout with a narrow loss to Madonna.

The two teams matched up on day one of the tournament in Caldwell, Idaho on Friday, Nov. 25, with Madonna walking away victorious 81-68. The loss dropped Eastern Oregon’s record to 2-3 on the year.

The Mountaineers kept things close in the first half, as Phil Malatare scored a team-high 11 points. Emmit Taylor III, Preston Chandler and Malachi Afework each scored six as Eastern Oregon went into halftime trailing 38-32. Madonna was led by a two-way attack of Brendan Young (17 points) and Deric Murray (14 points) in the first half.

Eastern Oregon failed to make up ground in the second half, as Madonna managed a 43-36 advantage to win 81-68. Taylor III added 15 points in the second half to finish with a team-high 21 points. Adam Orr tallied 14 points in the second half to finish with 17 on the day. The Mountaineers shot 7-12 from three-points range in the second half, but ultimately failed to spark a comeback.

Eastern Oregon shot 38.2% from the field on the day, but were heavily out rebounded by a margin of 49-36.

Coming off the loss, Eastern Oregon will be back in action on Nov. 26 to face Providence on day two of the Taco Bell Shootout. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.