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BOZEMAN, Mont. — Eastern Washington (6-13, 2-4) fell in their second clash of the season against Montana State (8-12, 3-4), succumbing 74-64.
“I don’t believe we had faith in each other,” mentioned head coach Dan Monson. “Once one or two things went awry, we immediately abandoned the plan and went our separate ways. Everyone felt they had to handle it individually, and when we act that way, we aren’t a very competitive basketball team.”
Andrew Cook topped the Eagles with 21 points, while Sebastian Hartmann and Emmett Marquardt both concluded the game in the double digits. On the defensive end, Nic McClain and Marquardt each secured six rebounds, leading the squad.
“Putting in effort is just one aspect, we need to elevate our play, unite as a team, and enhance our belief in one another. There’s a lack of confidence in what we are executing.
As a collective, Eastern achieved 44.4% shooting from the field and 31.8% from beyond the arc. The Eagles were out-rebounded 29-27 and made 11 turnovers compared to Montana State’s 9. Nonetheless, Eastern outperformed in assists, notching 10 against the Bobcats’ 9.
First Half:
Montana State was first to score, but McClain responded with a steal leading to a breakaway dunk. Hartmann was on fire behind the three-point line, sinking consecutive threes to grant Eastern an early six-point cushion. MSU fought back with several baskets to缩小 the deficit, yet Sam Stockton drained a long three to elevate the Eagles’ lead to five.
The Bobcats converted a three-pointer during a fast break to narrow the margin to one. At 6:38 remaining, MSU leveled the score at 20. Following a three-minute scoring drought, Cook drew a foul while driving to the hoop and made both free throws. Half a minute later, he converted a layup, placing Eastern ahead 24-20 with 4:04 remaining in the half, leading into the final media timeout.
Post-timeout, MSU capitalized with three straight free throws to maintain competitiveness. Marquardt responded with a jumper, only for the Bobcats to equalize at 26 with another three-point shot. Marquardt penetrated the defense, finishing with a layup and an “and one” free throw, granting Eastern a 29-26 advantage. MSU replied with a three-pointer to further equalize before Marquardt netted two free throws, sending the Eagles into the break with a slim 31-29 lead.
Second Half:
Montana State erupted post-halftime, securing the first two baskets to reclaim the lead. McClain countered with a layup, followed by Marquardt who hit a three, keeping the score close. However, the Bobcats embarked on an 8-0 scoring streak, expanding their lead to 47-42.
MSU then caught fire, scoring two consecutive threes to extend their lead to nine. The Eagles found it difficult to establish a rhythm as Montana State’s defense intensified, triggering a 9-0 run that increased the Bobcats’ lead to 15. Marquardt halted the run with a score, yet Eastern was unable to generate any momentum.
Hartmann sunk a three in an effort to ignite a comeback, but MSU countered with an alley-oop dunk, taking a firm 67-50 lead with 3:56 left. Cook responded with a three and a layup, trimming the margin to 12; nonetheless, the Bobcats maintained their advantage to triumph, 74-64.
Up Next:
The Eagles will return home to confront Northern Arizona on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m., followed by a game against Northern Colorado on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics supports 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as developmental platforms for its most athletically talented students and as a benefit to student and community life. Eastern is connected with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a participant in the Big Sky Conference, an assembly of 10 regional institutions with akin enrollments and academic aspirations.
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