by SEATTLE — The Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team got a pair of double-digit scoring performances from redshirt senior Tisha Phillips (Nez Perce Tribe) and junior Delaney Hodgins on Friday night, but that would not be enough to lift the Eagles past No. 15/17 Washington, as they fell to the Huskies, 100-52, in the First Round of the Preseason WNIT.
The duo of Hodgins and Phillips scored a combined 25 of the Eagles’ 52 points against a Husky team coming off a Final Four appearance. Hodgins, a Preseason All-Big Sky first teamer, tallied a team-best 13 points, while the fifth-year senior Phillips got her final season with EWU started off with a 12-point outing against the No. 15/17-ranked team in the Nation.
Senior Ashli Payne recorded the first double-digit rebound game of the 2016-17 season with 10 boards. Despite Payne’s efforts, Washington still outrebounded the Eagles, 39-35, however, Eastern held a 16-13 advantage on the offensive glass, which led to a 13-8 edge in second-chance points.
Eastern Washington trailed the No. 15/17-ranked team in the country by just eight points at the end of the first quarter, but the Huskies limited the Eagles to just seven points in the second stanza to build a 52-21 lead at the break. Washington held Eastern to single digits again in the third quarter, but the Eagles finished the night strong, as they outscored UW, 22-17, in the night’s final frame. UM was paced by its All-American Kelsey Plum, who scored a team-best 32 points.
“We are obviously disappointed in tonight’s outcome,” said head coach Wendy Schuller. “I think Washington is a great team and they played excellent basketball tonight. We didn’t play at the level I had hoped we would. We have several areas that we must improve at if we are going to perform at a high level. We look forward to the opportunity to redeem ourselves next weekend.”
Win-Loss Records: Eastern Washington falls to 0-1 on the year, while No. 15/17 Washington, who made last season’s Final Four, starts 2016-17 out at 1-0.
What It Means: Tonight’s loss means that the Eagles will have to wait for the Consultation Bracket to be drawn to find out who their next opponent will be in the Preseason WNIT. Had Eastern won, they would’ve advanced to the next round of the Championship Bracket and travel to Colorado State next week. Check back with GoEags.com for more details on Eastern Washington’s next Preseason WNIT opponent.
Turning Point: Washington opened tonight’s game up in the second quarter, as they outscored Eastern, 30-7, in the frame to blow an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter to a 31-point advantage going into halftime. The Huskies followed that up with a 31-9 edge in the third quarter to put the game out of reach for the Eagles.
Key Stats: The Huskies defense came as advertised on Friday night, as UW limited EWU to a 32.8 shooting percentage. Washington also caused 25 Eastern turnovers on the night, which led to a 31-11 advantage in points off turnovers.
Top Performers: Junior Delaney Hodgins picked up where she left off in 2015-16, as the Pasco, Washington native put scored a team-best 13 points against the No. 15/17 Huskies. The forward also added a team-best three steals on the night.
Redshirt senior Tisha Phillips chipped in 12 points, while tying for the team lead in assists with three.
Senior Ashli Payne pulled down a game-best 10 rebounds. She was two baskets short of the team’s first double-double of the year, as she scored six points. Payne matched Phillips in the assists category with three, while she collected one steal.
Notables: Eastern moves to 0-15 all-time against Washington.
Tonight’s 13-point outing is the 52 career double-digit game for junior Delaney Hodgins.
Redshirt senior Tisha Phillips recorded her 20th career double-digit point outing with 12.
Senior Ashli Payne posted her 11th career double-digit rebound game with 10 caroms against the Huskies.
What’s Next: Eastern Washington will now play the waiting game, as they Consolation Bracket is being drawn for the Preseason WNIT. The Eagles will know their opponent by Saturday, Nov. 12. Check back with GoEags.com, or follow @EWUWBB for up-to-the-minute updates.
