Box Score CHENEY, Wash. – A fast start by the visiting Idaho State Bengals proved to be too much for the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team as they fell by a score of 67-47 on Monday evening (Dec. 30) at Reese Court.
 
Freshman Alexyss Newman led all players in scoring with a career-high 14 points.
 
"Idaho State came out with a lot of focus and determination. At the half, we counted that we had missed 10 shots within four feet of the basket, you can't do that against a team like this when you have to fight for good shots. We weren't very strong and didn't respond well," said head coach Wendy Schuller.
 
Bella Cravens made back-to-back baskets to give Eastern an early 4-0 lead. From there, the Bengals would cruise on a 10-0 run and led 22-8 after one quarter of play. The Eagles shot just 26.7 percent from the field behind Cravens' six points.
 
Grace Kirscher opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, but Idaho State picked up right where they left off. The Bengals shot 41.7 percent (5-12) compared to Eastern's 21.4 percent (3-14) and closed the half on an 8-0 run to lead 37-16 at the half.
 
Idaho State opened the second half with six-straight points as the Eagles didn't score until the 6:05 mark after a step-back jumper from Kirscher. The Eagle offense then started to find its groove, going four-for-four from the field on a 10-4 run. Cravens was fouled making a layup and made the and-one to cut the deficit to 49-29 and the Eagles then held ISU scoreless for 2:53. Both sides were even with 15 points each during the third, but the Eagles still trailed 52-31 with a quarter to go.
 
Despite a six-minute stretch without a field goal, the Eagles outscored the Bengals 16-15 in the fourth quarter and closed the game on a 7-0 run. The late surge wasn't enough as Eastern Washington dropped the 67-47 decision.
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: Eastern Washington falls to 2-9 overall and an even 1-1 in Big Sky Conference play. Idaho State improves to 5-6 and 1-1.
 
The Eagles still lead the all-time series, 39-37, and are 23-13 at Reese Court.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Freshman Alexyss Newman put together the first double-digit scoring performance of her career-high with 14 points. She also tied for the team lead in rebounds with five along with Bella Cravens, who finished with nine points. The duo also had one block apiece.
 
Newman went 4-for-13 from the field and 5-for-8 from the charity stripe.
 
Grace Kirscher scored seven points and Leya DePriest added five after going 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
 
Jessica McDowell-White dished out four assists to go with two steals. Jenna Dick also had two steals to go with three assists.
 
KEY STATISTICS: The Eagles were held to just 29.6 percent (16-54) from the field. They made four three pointers and were 11-for-17 from the free throw line.
 
Idaho State shot an even 50 percent, making 26 of their 52 attempts. The Bengals drained five three pointers and were 10-for-13 from the line.
 
Eastern was out-rebounded, 41-to-27, and forced 18 turnovers with nine steals while committing 17 turnovers. They were outscored in the paint, 36-to-19.
 
UP NEXT: Eastern Washington hits the road to face Portland State on Jan. 4 for the first time since the Vikings beat the Eagles last season for the Big Sky title. The game is set for 2 p.m. in Portland, Ore.