LA GRANDE — The Eastern Oregon University men’s basketball team ended its regular season with two close finishes — only one game ended in a victory.

The Mountaineers lost to Corban 70-65 on Friday, February 23, before bouncing back to bear Bushnell 93-86. Eastern Oregon concluded its season with a 12-16 (11-11 CCC) record to secure the No. 7 seed heading into the conference tournament.

Eastern Oregon 65, Corban 70

The first game of the weekend was close from start to finish, as neither team managed to stretch its lead past single digits.

Eastern Oregon led by as much as four points midway through the first half, before Corban went on to build up a steady lead that would last for the remainder of the game. Corban held a narrow 31-28 advantage at halftime, as Eastern Oregon remained in contention at the break. Garrett Hawkes led the way with eight first-half points, while Brennan Newsom added six. Jay Wilson was tough to stop for Corban, scoring 13 points in the first half off 6-10 shooting from the field.

The Mountaineers shot 12-23 (37.5%) from the field in the first half. Corban held a sizable advantage in team rebounding, leading 23-15.

Eastern Oregon kept within striking distance for the whole second half, including cutting the deficit to just 49-48 at the 10:27 mark. A three-pointer by Preston Chandler with 9:40 to go put the Mountaineers up 53-52. The Mountaineers led 55-54 with 7:56 to go, but the Warriors retook the lead and never looked back. Eastern Oregon trailed just 66-65 with 1:59 to go, but Corban rallied the final four points of the game and held the Mountaineers scoreless, moving the final score to 70-65 in favor of the visitors.

Three Mountaineers finished in double-digit scoring — Hawkes (17), Jonny Hillman (11) and Jaden Hansen (10). Newsom finished with eight points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Eastern Oregon 93, Bushnell 86

The Mountaineers finished the regular season on a high note, defeating the Bushnell Beacons on senior day.

Despite the close final score, Eastern Oregon never trailed in the game. The Mountaineers capitalized off a fast start in the first half to lead by as many as 17 points midway through the opening 20 minutes. Hawkes (11) and Chandler (10) each scored in double figures during the first half as the Mountaineers held a 44-38 advantage at the break.

The Mountaineers held a steady lead in the second half, behind 15 more points from Hawkes and 12 from Hillman. Eastern Oregon led by double digits for most of the final 20 minutes, holding off a late rally by Bushnell that cut the advantage down to single digits.

Hawkes finished with 26 points, while Hillman ended the night with 21 points. Chandler (14) and Newsom (11) each finished in double figures.

Eastern Oregon finished 34-63 (54%) from the field on an efficient offensive night. The Mountaineers capitalized off 42 points in the paint.

Coming off the final weekend of the regular season, Eastern Oregon will enter the Cascade Collegiate Tournament as the No. 7 seed. The Mountaineers are set to travel to Lewiston, Idaho to face No. 2 Lewis-Clark State in the quarterfinal round. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.