CHENEY, Wash. – For the first time this season, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team finds themselves in the win column after an 81-62 victory over Northwest Christian on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 8) at Reese Court.
 
The Eagles had four score in double figures, led by freshman Jenna Dick who had 17 points, 15 of which came from three-point range, in her first career start. Bella Cravens finished with 16 points and tied a career-high 15 rebounds for her second consecutive double-double.
 
Kennedy Dickie followed with a career-high 15, while Jessica McDowell-White earned the first double-double of her career with 13 points and a career-best 12 assists. The total is tied for ninth all-time in program history for assists in a single game, marking the most in a game since Jan. 22, 2011 when Chene Cooper dished out 14.
 
"I thought we had a rough first half. We settled for a lot offensively. We were trying to feed the post, and didn't do a great job getting the ball inside the first half. I thought we were a bit complacent on the offensive end and that translated to not getting after things defensively. It wasn't a pretty first half," said head coach Wendy Schuller. "At halftime, I think we did a great job of making adjustments and buying in to what we talk about being attack-minded. We picked up our defense as well and that helped get us going. The second half had a lot more energy infused in to it."
 
Northwest Christian used a 6-0 run early in the first quarter to lead 8-4. Jenna Dick then scored five-straight points to spark a 10-0 Eastern Washington run as they took a 14-8 lead. After holding the Beacons scoreless for 3:25, the Eagles fell silent for the final 3:08 but still held a 14-11 lead after one quarter.
 
The Beacons continued on an 8-0 run that carried over from the first quarter to retake a 16-14 lead early in the second. Dick made another three-pointer to retake a 17-16 lead and it was a back-and-forth affair from there as the second quarter alone saw seven lead changes and four ties. Eastern Washington had a stretch where they went 4-for-4 from the field, but then they fell cold and didn't score for a 3:29 stretch during the second and trailed 31-30 at the half.
 
The Eagles found their spark during the third quarter. Cravens scored eight of her 16 points during the frame as EWU held the Beacons scoreless for 2:14 period. After NCU threatened with a 7-2 run to bring the score to 48-44, the Eagles finally broke away for their largest lead of 53-44 and led 53-47 at the end of the third. Eastern Washington shot 52.9 percent from the field (9-17) while holding the Beacons to 35.0 percent (7-20).
 
It was all Eastern Washington during the fourth quarter. EWU opened the frame on a 10-0 run that included two three-pointers from Dickie. The Eagles would outscore NCU 28 to 15 during the final quarter of play and shot 62.5 percent from the field (10-16) en route to their first victory of the season, 81-62.
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: Eastern Washington improves to 1-5 overall. The game marked an exhibition match for the NAIA members Northwest Christian, who still remain 4-2 with a 1-0 record in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: For the first time this season, Eastern Washington had four score in double figures.
Jenna Dick led the team with a career-high 17 points, the first-ever game in double figures as a freshman. In her first career start, she went 6-for-12 from the field and 5-for-10 from three-point range while also leading the team with three steals.
 
Bella Cravens claimed her second consecutive double-double, the third of her career. She finished a point off of her career high with 16, while pulling down 15 boards which tied a career-high. She also led the team with three steals and had a block.
 
Kennedy Dickie scored a career-best 15 points for her second consecutive game in double figures and the third this season. The freshman went 4-for-8 from three-point range.
 
Jessica McDowell-White earned the first double-double of her career. She scored 13 points and dished out a career-high 12 assists to go with five rebounds and three steals.
 
KEY STATISTICS: For the game, Eastern Washington shot 46.2 percent from the field (30-65), 44.4 percent from three-point range (12-27) and 75 percent from the free throw line (9-12).
 
They out-rebounded the Beacons 42-to-34 and forced 19 turnovers while committing 18. The Eagles had 19 assists, 11 steals and three blocks. They also out-scored NCU 34-to-24 in the paint and scored 19 points off of turnovers.
 
Northwest Christian shot 36.5 percent (23-63) from the field, 29.4 percent from three-point range (10-34) and 85.7 percent from the charity stripe (6-7).
 
UP NEXT: Eastern Washington's home stand continues next Sunday (Dec. 15) with an annual matchup against Boise State. Tip-off is set for 1:05 p.m. inside Reese Court and tickets are available at GoEags.com/tickets.