GAME NOTES

CHENEY, Wash. – The Eastern Washington University women's basketball team returns home for a pair of games against Big Sky Conference rivals Idaho and Portland State. The Eagles host the Vandals on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 5:35 p.m. with the UI and Eagle men's teams to follow at approximately 7:45 p.m. One ticket gets in to both games.
 
On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Vikings come to town for a 2:05 p.m. tip.
 
THIS WEEK AT REESE COURT: For Thursday's game against Idaho, fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for EWU SAAC's food drive. All donations will be given to the EWU Food Pantry. In exchange, those who donate will receive a $1.00 popcorn concession coupon.
 
HOW TO WATCH: Thursday's clash with Idaho will be broadcast regionally on SWX. For those not at Reese Court or in the region, the game will be streamed for free on Pluto TV Ch. 534 or WatchBigSky.com for both Thursday and Saturday's games. Live stats will be available at EWUStats.com with live, in-game updates available by following @EWUWBB on Twitter.
 
A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: Eastern Washington split on the road and home last week, playing four games in eight days. After falling to Montana at home and Montana State on the road, the Eagles have an overall record of 2-19 and 1-11 in conference play.
 
Both Grace Kirscher and Jenna Dick lead the team with 9.8 points per game, followed by Kennedy Dickie who adds 9.5. The trio averages double figures in conference play, with Dick leading the way with 11.4 per game.
 
Bella Cravens, who is on a two-game double-digit scoring streak after leading the team with a double-double (11pts, 10rebs) against Montana and a career-high 18 points at Montana State, averages 8.1 points per game. She also leads the team in rebounding with 7.8 per contest and blocks (1.7).
 
Jessica McDowell-White leads the team and the conference in assists per game with 5.1 and paces the Eagles with 1.3 steals per contest.
 
As a team, the Eagles rank 31^st in the nation with 8.1 three-pointers per game. They average 55.8 points and 34.7 rebounds per game.
 
A LOOK AT THE VANDALS: Idaho is currently third in the Big Sky standings with an overall record of 13-8 and an 8-4 mark in conference play. Like the Eagles, the Vandals were swept by both Montana State at home by a score of 62-56 and Montana on the road, 69-60, last week.
 
The Vandals are a tough defensive squad, leading the Big Sky in field-goal percentage defense at 35.8 percent and scoring defense with 58.7 points per game. They also rely on their three-point shot, tying with EWU for second in the Big Sky with 8.1 per game.
Gina Marxen is fourth in the Big Sky with 14.2 points per game and leads the conference with 69 three-pointers on the year. Beyonce Bea (12.3) and Lizzy Klinker (11.0) also average double figures.
 
SERIES HISTORY: The Eagles are looking to avenge a 69-60 loss to the Vandals in Moscow on Jan. 16. The Eagles hung with the Vandals for three quarters, trailing only by two going into the fourth. However, a scoring lull in the final quarter gave Idaho the advantage. Kennedy Dickie led the way with 18 points, while Grace Kirscher followed with 16 and Alexyss Newman added 13 points and nine rebounds. The Eagles drained 10 three-pointers on the night and outshot Idaho, 45.1 percent to 39.3 percent from the field.
 
A win would snap a four-game losing streak to the Vandals, as Eastern has won just three out of the last 10 matchups and haven't beaten Idaho since Jan. 12, 2018. At Reese Court, the Eagles hold a 19-14 advantage over UI, winning seven out of the last 10 at home.
 
A LOOK AT THE VIKINGS: Portland State is 12-11 overall and 6-7 in conference play. The Vikings will be searching for a win over the Eagles to snap a three-game losing streak after most recently falling to Northern Colorado at home on Monday by a score of 78-51.
 
Portland State averages 70.5 points per game and lead the league in free throw percentage (78.3%). They make 7.5 three-pointers per game, draining 36.5 percent of their attempts.
 
Tatiana Streun is fifth in the league with 13.7 points per game as well as rebounds with 7.5 per game. Desirae Hansen (12.7) and Kylie Jimenez (11.7) also add a double-figure scoring threat. The Vikings also boast the conference leader in blocked shots per game with Jordan Stotler, averaging 3.6.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Eastern Washington will look to snap a five-game losing streak to the Vikings on Saturday. Earlier this season on Jan. 4, the Eagles lost to PSU on the road by a score of 75-58. Grace Kirscher scored a career-high 22 points while Alexyss Newman added 13 and collected the first double-double of her career with 11 rebounds. Jenna Dick rounded out the scoring with 11 points.
 
After being knocked out of the quarterfinals by PSU at the 2018 Big Sky Conference tournament, the Eagles lost both regular season meetings last year and then suffered a heart-breaking, 61-59, loss with four seconds remaining in the Big Sky title game on March 15, 2019 in Boise.
 
The Eagles give the Vikings trouble at Reese Court, owning the all-time series 21-9 and winning seven out of the last 10. All-time, Eastern Washington is 35-30 against Portland State.
 
UP NEXT: The second-to-last Big Sky road trip of the year takes the Eagles to Sacramento State (Feb. 20) and Northern Arizona (Feb. 22). Eastern Washington returns for its final home stand of the season on Feb. 27 against Southern Utah and Feb. 29 against Northern Colorado.