CHENEY -- Seniors Benny Valentine, Mark Dunn and Brandon Moore combined for 63 points as Eastern Washington University held on for a 100-88 victory over Whitman College on Tuesday at Reese Court.
Valentine scored 23 points and had seven assists as he made 10-of-12 free throws. Dunn had a career-high 21 points, one night after scoring his previous high of 17 in a 67-61 loss at Washington State. He made 7-of-12 shots from the field and 7-of-8 from the line.
Moore had the eighth double-double of his career with 21 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, eclipsing his previous high board game of 14. He made 5-of-7 field goals and 9-of-12 free throws, and also equaled a career high with five blocks.
Eastern finished with 30 turnovers, coming one away from the school record of 31 against Washington in 1995. The game included 49 total turnovers, 56 total fouls (30 by Whitman) and 79 total free throws.
EWU led from start to finish, and opened a 24-7 lead mid-way through the first half. Eastern led by 23 on two occasions before settling for a 49-30 halftime lead.
Although Whitman pulled to within 12 with 14:29 left in the game, Eastern never trailed by less than double digits the rest of the way. A 9-0 Eastern run gave the Eagles a 79-57 advantage with 6:18 to play.
Eastern had five total players in double figures, with freshman Jeffrey Forbes finishing with 11 points and three steals. Laron Griffin had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Abebe Demissie made his Eagle debut with eight points, three rebounds and three assists.
Eastern returns to action at Texas-Arlington on Saturday, which will be the fourth game in eight days for the Eagles.
