Cheney, Wash. - Whether it's with a dominant victory or a close game nail-bitter, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team keeps posting wins. The team sealed its seventh straight Big Sky Conference victory, 67-65, over visiting Montana, in a comeback that came down to the wire.

Win-Loss Records

Eastern improves to 13-6 with the win and 7-0 in league play, while Montana drops to 11-8 with the loss and 4-4 in league play.

The Eagles are off to a 7-0 start to Big Sky play for the first time in six seasons. EWU started its conference slate with seven straight wins back in the 2009-10 season.

Turning Point

After a slow start offensively in the first quarter, EWU found its groove in the second quarter, turning the game into a tight back and forth battle. Senior Hayley Hodgins and her sister, sophomore Delaney Hodgins, combined for 15 points in the first six minutes of the quarter, capped off by a Hayley Hodgins three to take Eastern's first lead of the game, 27-25. But with Montana threatening to pull ahead once again, freshman Aqeelah Williams ripped the ball free of her opponent and took it down the court for a layup. Bringing some needed energy off the bench, she continued to make plays, draining a three pointer to tie the game 35-35 with only 59 seconds left in the half. After the period ended, the Eagles trailed 36-35, having shot 51.9 percent from the field, and 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.

The third quarter was a test of willpower for this EWU team, as they went on a five minute scoring drought, leaving them behind Montana 51-37, with 2:36 left in the third. But, the Eagles did not quit as signs of life began to show in the closing minutes of the period. Hayley Hodgins ended the drought with an important three, followed up by two more baskets from her. Eastern was now only behind 55-46 heading into the fourth quarter.

Halfway through the quarter, junior Ashli Payne made a statement, hitting two tough layups for and-one opportunities, bringing the game to a 56-55 standoff, still in UM's favor. With the Eagles' offense clicking, the Lady Griz seemed to have an answer for everything, keeping their lead above two, until a crucial Montana turnover gave Hayley Hodgins the chance she needed to tie the game with a jumper. The score rested at 65-65 with 1:18 remaining in the game, and Eastern's defense came up big, forcing a couple of Montana misses. With time ticking down to only three seconds Hayley Hodgins worked off her opponent for a jumper and missed the shot, but Delaney Hodgins flew in for the offensive rebound and finished the game winning shot, with only one second to spare on the clock.

Top Performers

Hayley Hodgins led the team in scoring with 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 3-of-5 from three point range.

Delaney Hodgins scored 19 points on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting. She also tallied seven rebounds.

Ashli Payne recorded her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, while grabbing 10 total rebounds.

Junior Tisha Phillips filled the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, and a team leading six assists, as well as two steals and a block.

Key Statistics

Eastern shot 50.9 percent from the field, including 54.5 percent from three, while Montana shot 39.3 percent from the field, and 30 percent from three.

The Eagles outscored Montana 21-20 in the fourth quarter, after a 19-11 third quarter in favor of the Lady Griz.

UM controlled the glass grabbing 38 total rebounds, compared to 29 rebounds for EWU. The Lady Griz tallied 14 offensive rebounds and scored 13 second chance points, while the Eagles tallied 5 offensive rebounds and two second chance point.

Montana turned the ball over 11 times, allowing Eastern to score 12 points off the miscues. EWU turned the ball over 13 times, allowing UM to score 15 points off the mistakes.

Quoting Coach Schuller

"I told our team in the locker room I was just about in tears. We showed tremendous heart, tenacity and determined to come back from what was a pretty bad third quarter on our behalf. The energy in Reese today gave us those legs we needed over the last five minutes. This is a special group, and watching them do things like they did today is why they are so fun to coach."

Delaney Hodgins Quote

"I knew Hayley was going to take the last shot. I was hoping it was going to go in, but the ball just bounced to me and I was lucky enough to put it in."

Game Notes

The game today was the first time a team has shot 50 percent or better from the field against Montana.

This week's wins over Montana State and Montana marked the third straight year in which Eastern has swept the teams at home, and the seventh time in program history.

Hayley Hodgins has now scored in double figures in 35 straight games dating back to last season, and has 82 career games of at least 10 points. She is getting closer to becoming Eastern's all-time NCAA Division I leading scorer, sitting 153 points behind Brenda Souther (1983-87).  With at least 12 games left on the season, Hodgins needs to average 12.75 points per game to break the record.

Up Next

The Eagles travel to conference opponent Portland State on Thursday, Jan. 28, starting at 7 p.m. PST.