CHENEY, Wash. -- The Eastern Washington University women's basketball team looks to push its winning streak to three games this Sunday (Nov. 27), as the Eagles take on Multnomah University for their 2016-17 regular season home opener. Tip-off from Reese Court is set for 3 p.m. PT.
Eastern comes into its regular season home opener off the heels of back-to-back wins against Furman University and at Utah Valley to close its season-opening four-game road trip at an even 2-2. Senior Ashli Payne and junior Delaney Hodgins have both played huge roles in the first pair of victories for EWU this season, as Payne has picked up 20 points in each win, while Hodgins collected a double-double in each of those outings.
Hodgins picked up a career-best 29 points in the team's win at Utah Valley on Tuesday. That performance had upped her points per game average to a team-best 17.5, while her 20 rebounds over the last two contests has pumped her rebounds per game mark to 7.8.
Last Time Out
Junior Delaney Hodgins recorded her second-straight double-double for the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team on Tuesday night (Nov. 22) to help a hot-shooting Eagles team pick up an 83-50 road victory at Utah Valley.
Hodgins picked her eighth career double-double on Tuesday, as the junior scored a career-best 29 points while pulling down 10 rebounds for the second-straight contest. The Pasco, Washington was efficient throughout the night as she went 11-of-14 from to help the Eagles post a 59.3 field goal percentage for the night.
That's a Way to Start
Eastern Washington jumped out to a 25-2 lead at the end of the first quarter of Tuesday's game at Utah Valley. The Eagles shot a blistering 75 percent and held the Wolverines scoreless for the first 7:56 of play. It was the lowest point total allowed by Eastern since the NCAA switched to quarters last season.
Blistering Hot
The Eagles had their best offensive outing of the season this past Tuesday, as they scored a season-best 83 points at Utah Valley in a 33-point victory. EWU also shot a season-best 59.3 percent from the field, which included a season-high 55.0 percent (11-of-20) from behind the arc and a season-best in 3-point field goals made with 11.
Double-Trouble
Junior Delaney Hodgins recorded her second-straight double-double in Tuesday's 33-point victory at Utah Valley with a career-best 29 points and 10 rebounds. It is eighth double-double for Hodgins.
The 29-point outing also extended her double-digit scoring streak to an even 20 games.
Let It Fly
Eastern Washington hit a season-best 11 3-point field goals in the win at Utah Valley on Tuesday. Junior Delaney Hodgins led the team with five, while senior Ashli Payne went a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the arc. Redshirt senior Tisha Phillips added a pair of trifectas.
The Eagles have now made a 3-point field goal in each of their last 306 games. That is the second-longest active streak to Sacramento State (363).
Back-to-Back 20-Point Outings
Senior Ashli Payne record 20 points for the second-straight contest at Utah Valley on Tuesday. Her performance against the Wolverines matches a season-best in points for the Bremerton, Washington, which she set against Furman back on Nov. 19 in the final contest of the Preseason WNIT.
Payne now has three 20-point performances in her career at Eastern. She scored a career-best 23 points back on Jan. 30, 2016 against Sacramento State.
Knowing Your Opponent: Multnomah University
The Lions, who play in the NAIA, come into Cheney, Washington with a 1-5 record overall. MU is coming off a 73-52 loss to NCAA Division III Whitman College. The Lions also have an 83-45 exhibition loss at fellow Big Sky opponent, Idaho, back on Nov. 5.
Multnomah University averages 57.5 points per game while averaging a 35.7 percent shooting percentage. Miranda Schmillen leads the team in scoring her a 11.5 points per game average. She is the lone Lion player in double-digits.
MU is allowing 72.2 points per game to its opposition. While teams are shooting 42.3 percent from the field against the Lions.
For more information on the Eastern Washington women's basketball team, follow @EWUWBB on Twitter and Instragram, or like EWU Women's Basketball on Facebook.
