COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – In come-from-behind fashion, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team sealed its first victory of the year on Tuesday evening (Nov. 14). The Eagles took on Air Force and topped them 65-63 in overtime after trailing by 10 points at the half.
 
For the second straight game, Delaney Hodgins was one-point shy of her career high, compiling 28 on the night. Her point total moves her to third all-time on Eastern Washington's all-time scoring list. The senior now has 1,484 points in her career, passing Kathleen Nygaard (2001-04) who had 1,466.
 
Hodgins is now 250 points out of second place and 382 points away from breaking the all-time record of 1,865 set by her older sister Hayley Hodgins (2013-16). She also added 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
 
The Eagles led by five points through the first two and a half minutes, but the Falcons sparked a 6-0 run that help them lead 23-13 at the end of the first.
 
Air Force's momentum carried into the second quarter as they held EWU scoreless through the first two minutes until Hodgins hit a jumper. Eastern's offensive attacked heated up as they hit five of their last seven field goals. After 20 minutes of play, the Eagles trailed 40-30 heading into the locker room.
 
"At halftime, there were only two topics of conversation: our turnovers and our lack of defense. We made some adjustments and talked about some things that we could do a better job of defensively," said head coach Wendy Schuller. "I thought more than anything, we turned the energy up. Air Force plays extremely hard and I thought they beat us in the first half with their energy level. We turned up the energy in the second half and got after them, there were a lot of balls on the floor and kids battling and diving, it was good to see that from our team."
 
Eastern's offensive momentum sparked in the third quarter when they used a 13-1 run over a span of six minutes and began to chip away at their 10-point deficit. EWU's defense was also able to hold the Falcons scoreless for over five minutes and forced five turnovers during that span. With thirty-five seconds remaining in the third quarter, Amy Hartleroad would hit a shot from behind the arc to tie the game, 48-48.
 
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Trailing by three with less than two minutes remaining, the Eagles would call timeout. That's when Symone Starks drilled a three-pointer to tie the game up at 57-57 and send the game into overtime.
 
In the overtime period, Hodgins would hit a jumper early on, but two Falcon free throws would make the game even, 61-61. Trailing 63-62 with sixteen seconds remaining, Eastern's luck behind the arc struck again, this time behind the hands of Hodgins who sunk the game-winning three-pointer to win 65-63.
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: The Eagles notch their first victory of the year, moving to 1-1 on the season while Air Force falls to 0-2. EWU now leads the all-time series 2-0.
 
KEY STATISTICS: The Eagles shot 39% from the field, while the Falcons shot 38%. Eastern was 15-20 from the line, shooting 75%, but surrendered 28 turnovers and forced 20. For the second straight game, the Eagles out-rebounded their opponent, 47-36. Eastern was also able to outblock the Falcons, 11-6. EWU's bench also added 13 points.
 
TURNING POINT: After trailing by 10 at the half, Eastern was able to string together a 13-1 run in the third and kept AF scoreless for over half of the quarter. The Eagles also hit a trio of key three pointers in different stages of the game to tie contest at pivotal moments.
 
TOP PERFORMERS: Delaney Hodgins led all scorers with 28 points and added 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. She also added four blocks and four steals. Violet Kapri Morrow also scored in double figures, adding 13 points.
 
SCHULLER SAYS: "I would love to see our energy level in the second half and overtime continue, especially on the defensive end. I saw some kids step up tonight and do some things off of the bench that we really needed. We still aren't scoring the way that I think we are capable of scoring, and so we have to work some kinks out. We played really young at times tonight, so we are working hard to grow and get better. I was extremely proud of the team, it was grit that won tonight. It wasn't pretty, but it was gritty."
 
NOTEABLES: This was Delaney Hodgins' 12th double-double of her career and her 80th career game scoring in double figures. It's also her 17th game scoring 20 or more points, and her 11th career double-figure rebounding game.
 
UP AHEAD: Eastern now travels back to Cheney for their home opener against BYU on Friday night. Tip-off against the Cougars in Reese Court is set for 6:05 p.m.