After over a week off, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team is eager to get back into action this week. The Eagles play at Southern Utah for the start of Big Sky Conference play tomorrow (Dec. 2) at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time in Cedar City, Utah. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
When the Eagles return, they'll have two home games to look forward to. The Multnomah contest that was canceled last weekend has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Reese Court at 6 p.m. The game will not be streamed, so fans are encouraged to head out to Cheney to catch the Eagles, as admission will be complimentary. A reminder that proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours is required for entry at home games. The Eagles also host Boise State on Friday, Dec. 10.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The last time the Eagles took to the floor, it was one for the record books. Eastern Washington hosted Evergreen State College and won 101-38, the third-most points scored in program history. The Eagles also made 17 three-pointers which tied a single-game record, and the win was the first for Joddie Gleason at the helm of the women's program. It was the most amount of points scored in a single game since March 2, 2018 and 17 three-pointers tie the school record set back on Jan. 18, 2020.
 
In all, Eastern Washington was 40-for-76 (52.6%) from the field. The 40 field goals are the sixth-most in program history. In the school record three-point effort, the Eagles were 17-of-34 (50%) and made four of their six free throw attempts. Eastern Washington scored 42 points in the paint and held the Geoducks to 14. They out-rebounded Evergreen 56 to 26, the most rebounds in a game since Feb. 22, 2018 and eighth-most in program history.
 
A LOOK AT THE EAGLES: Eastern Washington is 1-3 overall on the young season heading into Thursday's action. The Eagles average 68.3 points per game which is fourth in the Big Sky and hold their opponents to 61.5 points per game which is third in the conference. EWU also makes 40.6 percent of its shots from the field and hold its opponents to 34.1 percent, ranking fourth and second, respectively.
 
Eastern also averages 8.5 three-pointers and 39.2 rebounds per game, while ranking fourth with eight steals per contest.
 
True freshman Jaydia Martin is third in the Big Sky with 17.8 points per game, scoring in double figures in every game she's played in so far as an Eagle. Jacinta Buckley is third with 12.3 points per game and second in rebounds per game with an average of 9.3. The duo also rank in the top-ten in field goal percentage.
 
Graduate student Bria Rice ranks in the top-15 in both assists (3.3) and steals (1.3) per game.
 
A LOOK AT THE THUNDERBIRDS: Southern Utah is 2-4 on the season, but the two wins have come consecutively heading into Thursday's game. The Thunderbirds topped SAGU American Indian College 120-59 and UTRGV 80-67.
 
Southern Utah leads the Big Sky with 74.5 points per game, making 43.6 percent of its shots to rank third. Additionally, the Thunderbirds are third in the Big Sky with 41.7 rebounds per game, and lead the conference in both blocks (5.17) and assists (17.83) per contest.
 
Lizzy Williamson leads the team in points per game (13.7), rebounds per game (8.8) and blocks per game (1.3). Madelyn Eaton (11.7) and Kinsley Barrington (10.6) also average double figures.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Eastern Washington leads the all-time series over Southern Utah, 12-10. With last year's games wiped out due to COVID-19, this will be the first time the two teams have faced off since the 2019-20 season. The Thunderbirds won both meetings, first in a 71-50 victory on Jan. 25, 2020 in Cedar City and then by a narrow 70-67 decision on Feb. 27, 2020 at Reese Court.
 
At the America First Event Center, the Eagles a 4-5 and have lost two-straight. The Eagles will go for their first win on the road at SUU since Jan. 31, 2019.