Let the season begin

This archived article was written by: Chase Andrizzi

The CEU men’s basketball team returned from a successful week on the road finishing 2-1 with their only loss in overtime of the championship game of The Lower Columbia Tournament. The Eagles traveled to Washington to face The Umpqua Community College Timbermen, a talented Clackamas Community College, and Lower Columbia Community College.
The Eagles started the tournament on a good note by crushing UCC 113 to 44. They opened the game up in a hurry and led by 21 points at the half. In the second half, the Golden Eagles outscored the Timbermen by 48 points. CEU had outstanding performances by John Rogers (20 points), Tyler Billings (18), Tyler Kepkay and Tate Sorenson each with 17.
The Eagles then had to face CCC. The Eagles beat the Cougars by a narrow margin of five points. The Eagles were led by Michael McCrary who went 7 for 11 from the field and added 15 points. Rogers and Kepkay were the only other Eagles that reached double-digit scoring.
After defeating UCC and CCC, the Golden Eagles took on LCCC. The Columbia Red Devils were hosting the tournament and had an obvious home court advantage. CEU trailed the Red Devils by 12 at the half but surged back in the second half to forced the game into overtime, where the Eagles scored 12 points , but it was not enough. They dropped the game losing by a score of 96-95. Billings had an outstanding performance shooting 13 for 18 and 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. He led the team with 33 points. His efforts were backed by those of Rogers (19 points), McCrary (12), and Kepkay (9). The Eagles dropped to 7-2 with the loss.
The Eagles begin conference play tonight when they travel to Southern Utah to take on the Rebels of Dixie State. The Rebels boast an 8-3 record and are more than ready to take on the Eagles, who are third in the SWAC.
An undefeated North Idaho leads the conference with a record of 9-0. Snow College and Salt Lake have only one loss apiece. Dixie State, although fifth coming into conference play, have had a tough yet successful pre-conference season.
College of Southern Idaho has a record of 7-2 and are sixth in conference standings. They cannot be overlooked however. The Golden Eagles of CSI finished the t a season record of 33-3 in 2004-05 and a Region 18 championship.
Following tonight’s game, the Eagles will host the Snow College badgers Thursday, Dec. 8 at the BDAC, the Eagles then head north to take on the Salt Lake Community College Bruins.