POCATELLO, Idaho – The Eastern Washington University women's basketball team could never find its offense rhythm on Monday evening (Dec. 31) as they played Idaho State to a 48-63 loss in Pocatello.
 
"Idaho State played really well tonight. I thought they punched us in the mouth early and often and we just never responded adequately," said head coach Wendy Schuller. "Every night is a dog fight and Idaho State was the better team today."
 
Violet Kapri Morrow led all scorers with 21 points. It was the ninth-straight game in double figures this season and 12^th-straight dating back to 2017-18 for the senior. The performance also moves Morrow up to 23rd all-time on Eastern's career scoring list with 953 points, 47 shy of becoming the 18^th member of EWU's 1,000-point club.
 
The Eagles found themselves in a 9-0 hole early and did not make a field goal until an Alissa Sealby three-pointer five minutes in. The triple was Sealby's fifth-straight point of the game and cut Eastern's deficit to 11-5. Despite keeping ISU quiet for nearly three minutes, Eastern trailed 18-10 after one quarter.
 
A Brittany Klaman three-pointer put the Eagles within six points, 19-13 early in the second quarter. Eastern Washington continued to chip away and shot 50 percent (6-12) during the second quarter thanks to eight points from Violet Kapri Morrow. Although the Eagles closed the second quarter on a 4-0 run while keeping the Bengals off the board for over two and a half minutes, they trailed 33-25 after the first half.
 
After Grace Kirscher jumper opened the scoring in the third quarter, Idaho State rebuilt its lead by 10 points. A quick 5-0 run for the Eagles cut the deficit to six, 41-35. Idaho State was able to keep the Eagles off the board for over four minutes of the third quarter and led 49-38 after three quarters.
 
Morrow would make a three-pointer in the opening minute of the fourth frame, but the Eagles fell cold and were held without a field goal for over eight minutes of play. In her first-ever game as an Eagle, Andie Easley stopped the scoring drought and made the first basket of her career and was fouled, completing the old-fashion three-point play. Eastern Washington could not climb out of their deficit and fell by a final score of 63-48.
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: With the decision, Eastern Washington fall to 2-9 on the year and 1-1 in Big Sky Conference play. Idaho State moves to 6-5 and is also 1-1. This is the first loss to the Bengals in three-straight tries dating back to the 2016-17 season.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Violet Kapri Morrow led the Eagles with 21 points, her second 20-plus point performance of the season and her ninth-straight game in double figures. She also led the team with two steals and two assists and shot five-for-six from the free throw line while draining four three-pointers.
 
Alissa Sealby followed with eight points after shooting 2-for-3 from three-point range. Leya DePriest led the Eagles with six rebounds and made a career-high five points with a block, a steal and an assist.
 
KEY STATISTICS: Eastern Washington shot just 32.6 percent from the field on 15-of-46 shooting while the Bengals shot 51 percent (25-49). The Eagles drained seven three-pointers and were 11-for-18 from the line. They were also outrebounded 34-21. Eastern committed the lowest number of turnovers on the season with 14 while forcing 16.
 
KAPRI'S QUEST TO 1,000: Senior Violet Kapri Morrow is on the road to joining one of the most exclusive clubs in college basketball, the 1,000-point club. With 21 points at Idaho State, Morrow now has 953 points and needs just 47 more to become the 18^th player in Eastern Washington women's basketball history to eclipse 1,000 points.
 
Morrow's performance tonight moves her into 23^rd on Eastern's all-time scoring list, passing Tatjana Sparavalo (2008-11) who had 932 points. She now needs just five more to pass Missy Chubb (1989-92) for 22^nd with 957 career points.
 
UP NEXT: The final game of the current six-game road trip takes place on Jan. 3 at Idaho for a 5:15 p.m. tip, followed by the Eastern Washington men's team in the second annual doubleheader. The Eagles return home for the first time since Dec. 2 on Jan. 7 when they host Northern Colorado for a 6:05 p.m. tip. For single game and season tickets, visit GoEags.com/Tickets for more information.