The Eagles traveled over the weekend to take on Montana State University and the University of Montana.

On Jan. 21, EWU played MSU after three wins in a row at home. But its troubles on the road continued as it went into the half down, 38-30. Their largest lead came 11 minutes into the first half when they led by 6.

In the first half, the Eagles shot at a 37 percent mark from the field and 31 percent from the 3-point line. Forward Bogdan Bliznyuk led the way with 15 points in the half coming off his triple-double performance. MSU shot at a 43 percent mark from the field and 53 percent from the arc.

Not much changed in the second half as the Eagles continued to struggle with their shooting at a 46 percent mark from the field and 25 percent from the arc in tthe final 20 minutes.

MSU led by as much as 16 late in the second half, shooting at a 43 percent from the field and 48 percent from the 3-point line before taking the game, 85-71. The Bobcats were 50 percent from the arc, going 11-22 in the game.

Bliznyuk had a great game, collecting a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Forward Venky Jois scored 11 points and had six rebounds along with three blocked shots.

Guard Austin McBroom had 19 points, only making one of eight 3-point shots.

On Jan. 23 the Eagles took on the Grizzlies. This one was a battle all the way to the end between the two rivals.

Both teams came out hot as they went back and forth to go into the half, 32-28. McBroom had 9 points in the half and Bliznyuk had 6 as the Eagles shot at a 41 percent from the field and 20 percent from the arc as a team.

The second half was just as close as the first. With 4:23 left in the game, the score was tied at 63 when the Eagles went scoreless for almost three minutes. They went on to fall to the Grizzlies 74-69.

EWU finished with a 54 percent mark from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line.

Jois had 20 points and 10 assists for his 31st career double-double. He now has 1,569 career points, good for second on the school’s all-time list.

McBroom had 22 points and guard Julian Harrell had 12.

Bliznyuk had 8 points and three steals before fouling out of the game with 9:09 left to play.

The Eagles went into these games with an overall record of 9-8 and 3-2 in the Big Sky and are now 9-10 overall and 3-4 in conference play. They will return home to take on Portland State on Jan. 28 at 6:05 p.m.