OLYMPIA, Wash.  –  While the Evergreen Geoduck men’s and women’s basketball teams battled against the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers inside the CRC Gymnasium,  a battle was being fought in the lobby and the Geoduck faithful stepped up in a big way, adding around 50 names to the national bone marrow registry.

In support of former Evergreen men’s basketball player Aaron Foy, Evergreen teamed up with the Puget Sound Blood Center to build the national registry.  Not only did Evergreen help to build the local and national registry, the volunteers were of diverse racial backgrounds, which is important given that the current registry is 73% Caucasian, leaving many minority patients with a tougher chance of finding a matching donor.

Between the women’s and men’s games, former Director of Recreation & Athletics Pete Steilberg took a few minutes to discuss the importance of the drive before introducing Tonya Knowles of the Puget Sound Blood Center.  Tonya took the chance to dispel some common myths regarding bone marrow donation.

Speaking last was the man of the evening as Aaron Foy took the microphone, thanking everyone for attending the games and supporting such an important cause.  He stressed that fans join the registry not just to help him but to help anyone who could use the marrow before proclaiming “I’m gonna beat this.”

While the Geoducks are proud of the boost they were able to give the registry, they know that the fight is far from over and that the registry will not be complete until everyone who ever needs marrow has a suitable match.  For more information on how you can get involved, visit http://www.psbc.org/programs/marrow.htm.

OLYMPIA, Wash.  – Taking the court for the final time this season, the Evergreen Geoducks put together a solid effort but couldn’t quite get the win, falling to the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers, 71-65, in a Cascade Conference women’s basketball game on Saturday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

The Geoducks (5-20, 3-15 CCC) came out ready to play, going ahead by five just 3:31 in but the Mountaineers (18-9, 10-8 CCC) powered back, taking the lead less than 90 seconds later using two of their six first-half three pointers.  EOU’s lead reached double-digits with just under two minutes left as the visiting Mounties took the 32-22 lead into the half.

In the second half, the Mounties continued to extend the lead, reaching 18 with 14:39 left to play but knowing that they were hitting the hardwood for the final time this season, the Geoducks battled back, pulling back within four points with just 1:57 left to play.  Evergreen continued to play hard until the end but when the final buzzer sounded, Eastern Oregon earned their 10th conference win of the year, 71-65.

Evergreen was led by 17 points from senior LaTrina Woods (Skyway, Wash./La Sierra Univ.), who also added eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals in her final collegiate contest.  Fellow senior Vanessa Caskey (Tacoma, Wash./Pierce CC) added 15 points while freshman Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS)  collected the double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  Shevon Tate (Tacoma, Wash./Tacoma CC) rounded out the Geoducks in double-digit scoring with 11 points on the night.

Eastern Oregon was led by 17 points from Kyle Miller.  Shaylee Nielsen came off the bench to add 13 while Rosebud Guthrie, Kelsea Hurliman and Samantha Flett each chipped in 10 points in the win.  The Mounties hit 10 shots from behind the arc to collect the win.

The Geoducks end the season at 5-20, including 3-15 in the Cascade Conference.  Eastern Oregon finishes the regular season at 18-9 overall and 10-8 in CCC counters.

Game Stats

• Box Score