Irvine, CA -- (Sports Network) - Benny Valentine scored 17 points, including a pair of huge free throws with 19 seconds remaining, to lead the Eastern Washington Eagles to a 74-69 victory over the UC Irvine Anteaters in a non- league clash.

Andy Genao contributed 12 points and 17 rebounds for Eastern Washington (1-1).

Eric Wise tallied 19 points in the loss for UC Irvine (0-2), which got 13 points from both Darren Moore and Michael Hunter.

After a highly competitive first half, Eastern Washington owned a 33-30 lead.

Hunter netted seven straight points to make things interesting late in the contest, but the Eagles were able to hit 8-of-10 foul shots in the last two minutes to seal the victory.

These two teams will meet up once again in just 11 days, with EWU hosting the Anteaters on November 30th at Reese Court in Cheney, Washington.