DILLON, Mont. – The Eastern Oregon men’s basketball team came up short in its season opener as Montana Western tripped up the Mountaineers 70-67 on Friday.

Malachi Afework led Eastern Oregon with 20 points while Garrett Hawkes added 10 points and led the team with three assists. Transfer point guard Jonny Hillman contributed 15 points and was a force on both ends of the court with four steals and one block.

Montana Western was paced by Jalyn Stepney and Abi Adedo with 17 and 15 points, respectively.