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Gonzaga pounds Eastern Washington, 94-52

Dec 29, 2009 - 4:13 AM By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS Associated Press Writer

SPOKANE, Wash.(AP) -- Freshman Elias Harris scored 22 points as Gonzaga pounded Eastern Washington 94-52 on Monday, rebounding from a 35-point loss to No. 7 Duke that was their worst since 1990.

Four other players scored in double figures for Gonzaga (9-3), which fell out of the Top 25 this week despite not playing a game. They lost to Duke 76-41 on Dec. 19 at Madison Square Garden.

Eastern Washington (4-10) has lost 22 straight to its Spokane County neighbor, dating to 1990. The Eagles have had trouble scoring during a five-game losing streak, all on the road.

Glen Dean led the Eagles with 13 points. They shot just 28 percent in the game and were outrebounded 56-35.

This game was close for the first five minutes. The Zags broke away, scoring 13 unanswered points for a 21-8 lead with 11:46 left, and poured it on as the Eagles buried themselves with turnovers.

After scoring just 41 against Duke, the Zags led 53-25 at halftime. They made 59 percent of their shots, including 7-of-12 3-pointers, in the first half. Eastern Washington made just 30 percent and committed 16 turnovers in the first half.

It was more of the same in the second half, as Gonzaga held a 75-36 lead with 10 minutes left despite mostly playing its reserves.

Harris made 9-of-11 shots and added seven rebounds.

Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga's leading scorer at 15 points per game, still seemed a little off since accidentally butting heads with a player for Augustana, Ill., on Dec. 9. Bouldin sat out the win over Davidson and scored just four points against Duke. He scored 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting and picked up four fouls in this game.

The Zags are 67-4 in the McCarthey Athletic Center since it opened in 2004, including a loss to Wake Forest this season.

Gonzaga hosts Oklahoma on New Year's Eve, then plays at Illinois on Saturday.