by EWU communications
For the first time in the 2021-22 season, the Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team took to the floor, hosting San Jose State at Reese Court tonight (Nov. 11) in Cheney, Wash. The Eagles had four score in double figures, but were edged by the Spartans by a final score of 77-67.
Freshman Jaydia Martin led all players with 23 points in 26 minutes of action. Jacinta Buckley (Spokane Tribe of Indians) added a double-double of 12 rebounds and 10 points, while Milly Knowles (10) and Alexis Pettis (11) scored in double figures as well.
“We’re a young team with a lot of new players, but we thought it was a great showing. I really loved the grit, the toughness and the resilience that the team showed,” said head coach Joddie Gleason, who took the helm for the first time tonight. “I thought that San Jose State did a great job, they hit shots and kept coming at us. Every time we would try and shrink their lead, they would hit two-or-three big shots in a row. I thought our team never gave up and kept fighting the whole time, and that’s something that we’ll take away from this.”
The first quarter was close to start with three ties and two changes early on and Bria Rice made a layup to put the Eagles up 10-9. Then, with the game tied 11-11, the Eagles held San Jose State without a field goal for 3:01 going 1-of-9 from the field during the stretch. Then, the tables turned when the Spartans found their spark, going on a 14-2 run to lead 27-15 at the end of the first.
Both teams shot under 26 percent for the second quarter, but the Eagles outscored the Spartans 13-to-12 and held their opponent without a field goal for 4:31. Freshman Jaydia Martin went on a 6-0 run of her own and the Eagles cut the lead to nine, 34-25. A three-point play by Knowles also put EWU back within eight points, but the Spartans were able to hold on to a 39-28 lead at the half.
San Jose State started the second half on an 8-0 run and led 56-41 with a quarter to go.
The Eagles started the fourth quarter on a 4-0 run and a Martin three-pointer cut the lead to ten, 56-46. After the Spartans pulled back ahead 60-46, Alexis Pettis and Martin drained consecutive threes for a 6-0 run that cut the lead back down to eight points with 7:10 left to play. That would be the closest Eastern Washington would get in the fourth, but the Eagles saved their best quarter for last, shooting 46.8 percent from the field with four three-pointers and held the Spartans to 40 percent and out-scored the Spartans 26-to-21.
EAGLE DEBUTS: Andie Zylak, Jacinta Buckley, Jordyn Boesel, Jaydia Martin, Alexis Pettis, Bria Rice, Devynn Warns and Jaleesa Lawrence all made their Eagle debuts, with Zylak, Martin, Boesel and Buckley all earning a spot in the starting lineup.
