by Cheney, Wash. –The Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team took a crucial victory over Big Sky Conference opponent Idaho, 84-70, On Saturday, Feb. 27, as senior Hayley Hodgins played her final collegiate home game at Reese Court.
Win-Loss Records
Eastern improves to 19-9 with the win and 13-3 in league play, while Idaho drops to 20-8 with the loss and 12-4 in league play.
Turning Point
The tone of the game was set early on, as EWU converted five of its first seven shots; including two early threes to take a 12-4 lead only five minutes into the game. It was clear offenses would rule the day. However, the Vandals were not about to be out-performed offensively, ending the first quarter on a 17-2 run that propelled them to a 21-14 lead heading into the second quarter. Both teams really started firing on all cylinders at this point, with the slight edge in favor of the Eagles. They ended the half on a two-minute, 9-2 run that included six straight points from junior Tisha Phillips,(Nez Perce Tribe) taking a 38-37 lead. Overall, Eastern and Idaho each shot over 50% from the field.
Back and forth the teams went in the third quarter, resulting in two ties and nine lead changes. EWU held onto its one point lead, 58-57, with the final quarter looming ahead. After the fourth quarter started with much of the same, the Eagles began to heat up to an absurd pace with 6:38 left in the game. The run started with both teams tied 62-62, and soon enough it was 71-64 with 4:59 left after Hayley Hodgins drained a three pointer that just followed her fastbreak layup. The lead was extended one possession later when Tisha Phillips scored her 22nd point on a contested layup, reaching a new career high in points. Junior Ashli Payne kept the run going, nailing a three pointer off an Idaho turnover just 20 seconds later, as Eastern took a 76-64 lead. EWU continued to contain UI’s offense, while the Eagles continued to unleash theirs. Despite a close game throughout three quarters, the contest finished in dominant fashion for Eastern, with a 22-8 run, on an absurd 9-of-11 shooting, over nearly seven minutes of play. EWU finished the second half shooting 20-of-30 from the field.
Top Performers
Tisha Phillips led the team in scoring with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting, she also tallied a team leading six assists, and three steals.
Hayley Hodgins scored 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting, while recording two blocks and two steals.
Sophomore Delaney Hodgins scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while grabbing seven rebounds. She also led the team with four blocks, and tallied three steals and three assists as well.
Junior Ashli Payne scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, with a team high nine rebounds.
Key Statistics
Eastern shot 60 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three, while Idaho shot 48.1 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three.
EWU turned the ball over 17 times, allowing UI to score 14 points off the mistakes. The Vandals turned the ball over 19 times, allowing the Eagles to score 19 points off the miscues.
Eastern collected 32 total rebounds and 10 offensive, resulting in 17 second chance points. Compared to 24 total boards by Idaho and nine offensive, resulting in 11 second chance points.
Up Next
The Eagles travel for their final road trip of the season, facing Idaho State, on Wednesday, Mar. 2, starting at 6 p.m. PST.
