Eagles Fall Short in Daring Road Clash with Vandals

MOSCOW, Idaho — Eastern Washington’s women’s basketball team took a brief trip south to Moscow on Saturday to face Idaho. The Eagles found it challenging to score while the Vandals capitalized on their chances to secure the victory. EWU drops to 2-3 within the Big Sky and holds a record of 6-11 overall. 

The Eagles were unable to generate sufficient offense, whether from inside the paint, outside the arc, or at the free throw line. Idaho enjoyed an advantage of plus-11 in successful free throws. The Vandals also witnessed an impressive performance from Olivia Nelson, who notched a game-high 29 points. 

“Idaho represents a formidable opponent, and their efficiency with the basketball is remarkable. We had difficulty containing [Olivia] Nelson, and she capitalized on our weak spots,” remarked head coach Joddie Gleason. “Our offensive rhythm was nonexistent, and we didn’t find enough quality looks. On the rare occasion we did find opportunities, we failed to convert. I feel we often gravitate towards jump shots or contested perimeter attempts early in the shot clock. It’s crucial we understand that when those aren’t falling, we must move the ball and compel them to defend through a full possession.” 

Ella Gallatin topped the Eagles with 14 points while Kourtney Grossman contributed 11 points along with leading the team with 12 rebounds. 

“We found it challenging to maintain consistent scoring runs. We could score, but then we faced a dry stretch. It was our responsibility to notice that and seek an easy basket. Unfortunately, we failed to do that,” Grossman commented. “Our urgency increased in the fourth quarter, resulting in quick points and heightened defensive pressure. It was about us trying to find that urgency and energy. I recognize that each time I step on the court, my teammates are giving their all for me, so I strive to match that effort. We managed to string together some good quarters, but we couldn’t keep it up consistently across four.”  

Idaho quickly secured an 11-4 advantage in the first as their offense thrived. Peyton Howard hit a three-pointer to narrow the gap. With just 52 seconds left in the quarter, Bella Hays leveled the score at 15 with a layup. The Vandals responded with another basket, entering the first break with a 17-15 lead. The Eagles managed to shoot 38.6 percent in the initial quarter. 

Eastern tied the game and then took a 19-17 lead at the start of the second quarter with contributions from Hays and Kourtney Grossman. Idaho retaliated with a 9-0 run to reclaim the lead. The Vandals began to dominate, completing a 13-2 run within a three-minute span. Both teams exchanged points, but Idaho retained a 35-25 advantage as they went into halftime. EWU recorded a shooting percentage of 31.3 during this quarter. 

Both teams found their flow offensively in the third quarter. Ella Gallatin led EWU with 5 points. In this quarter, EWU shot 29.4 percent from the field, totaling 13 points. Idaho shot at 33.3 percent, scoring 15 points. At the end of the third, the Vandals were ahead, 50-38. 

During the fourth period, Idaho extended its lead to 15 points within the first two minutes. The Eagles countered with an 8-0 streak to narrow the deficit to 54-47 at the 6:14 mark. Despite Eastern’s surge, the Vandals preserved their lead as the game approached its conclusion. Idaho capitalized on free throw opportunities and curtailed Eastern’s scoring chances. The Vandals ultimately secured a 67-57 victory over Eastern.  

EWU registered a shooting percentage of 31.0 for the entire game, while Idaho shot at 34.4 percent. 

Eagle Notes

• Kourtney Grossman achieved her fifth double-double of the season. Grossman has recorded double-doubles in back-to-back games and three out of the last four. This also marks her 8th game scoring in double digits and her 6th with double-digit rebounds.
• Peyton Howard reached double-digit scoring for the 15th time this season. Ella Gallatin notched her 9th time scoring in double figures, while Jaecy Eggers achieved her 7th.
• Idaho commanded a 52-44 edge in rebounds, with both teams tied on points in the paint at 30 each.
• Each team registered 10 turnovers, with Idaho capitalizing for 10 points off those errors, while EWU managed to score 5.
• Eggers led the Eagles with 2 blocks, marking her 5th game this season with 2 or more blocks.
• Eastern achieved a season-low 4 assists throughout the game.

Next Up
Eastern Washington has a quick turnaround with a matchup on Monday evening (Jan. 20) against Montana State at Reese Court. This game is slated to commence at 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
 

---

Tickets for individual games of women’s basketball are now available. Secure your seats at Reese Court by clicking on the link here,emailing tickets@ewu.edu or reaching out to the ticket office at 509-359-6059.

Become a member of the Eagle Athletic Fund for as little as $50 annually! Support Eagle student-athletes both on and off the field while taking advantage of exclusive EAF benefits such as season ticket and tailgating privileges, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and much more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for further details.

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Eastern Washington University Athletics offers 14 intercollegiate sports, comprised of six for men and eight for women, serving as educational experiences for its most athletically gifted students and enhancing student and community life. Eastern is part of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and belongs to the Big Sky Conference, which consists of 10 regional institutions with similar enrollments and academic aspirations.

FOLLOW THE EAGLES

SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Read Full Article