The Eastern Washington University women's basketball team opened Big Sky Conference play on the road this evening (Dec. 2) at Southern Utah, falling by a final score of 60-46 in Cedar City, Utah. The Thunderbirds move to 3-4 overall and 1-0 in conference action while the Eagles fall to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in Big Sky play.
 
Eastern Washington trailed 30-15 at the half, but limited the Thunderbirds to just one field goal while it shot 50 percent from the field to trail by single digits heading into the fourth quarter. In the final period, Southern Utah was 19-of-20 from the free throw line which made the difference in EWU's loss.
 
"Southern Utah did a nice job of starting the game ready to go to battle. We did not come out with the toughness to win a conference basketball game. What was nice to see is that the team answered the call in the second half, battling back to a four-point deficit with eight minutes to go by defending with urgency and securing rebounds," said head coach Joddie Gleason. "We were not able to keep Southern Utah off of the free throw line in the fourth quarter, which was the difference in the game. Once again, our young team gained valuable experience and will continue to improve and grow through these tough games."
 
Southern Utah got a hold of the lead early, leading by as many as 10 in the first quarter and had a 17-8 lead after the first 10 minutes.
 
Both teams struggled to shoot the ball in the second quarter, with Eastern going 2-of-16 from the field and the Thunderbirds were 4-of-17. Southern Utah outscored the Eagles 13-7 during the second frame to hold a 30-15 lead at the half.
 
It was all Eastern Washington in the third quarter, as they held the Thunderbirds to just one field goal as SUU went 1-for-14 from the field, shooting 7.1 percent. The Eagles shot 50 percent and outscored Southern Utah 13-6 during the third quarter and closed the frame on a 6-0 run to cut their deficit to 36-28 heading into the fourth.
 
Jaydia Martin scored seven of her 13 points in the fourth quarter and Alexis Pettis added six of her 10 as the Eagles tried to claw back. EWU got as close as four points with 8:36 left and six points with 8:05 left, but ultimately the Thunderbirds made too many trips to the free throw line to hold on to the 60-46 victory.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Jaydia Martin scored in double figures for the fifth-straight time as an Eagle, adding 13 points. She also tied for the team lead with three steals and two blocks, plus added three rebounds and an assist.
 
Alexis Pettis was the other Eagle in double figures, adding 10 points to go with four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
 
Jaleesa Lawrence added six points, five rebounds, two blocks, two assists and two steals in the effort. Milly Knowles had three steals and scored six points while Andie Zylak led the team with four assists, plus added a block and a steal.
 
KEY STATISTICS: Eastern Washington shot 17-of-59 from the field (28%), 2-of-18 from three-point range (11.1%) and 10-of-19 from the free throw line (52.6%).
 
Southern Utah was just 14-of-52 from the field (26.9%), 6-of-16 from behind the arc (37.5%) and 26-of-31 from the free throw line (83.9%).
 
EWU scored 16 points in the paint compared to SUU's 12, but were outrebounded 48-to-38. The Eagles forced 19 turnovers that they turned in to 14 points and committed 17. Additionally, 10 of their 17 field goals were assisted. As a team, they had 13 steals and six blocks.
 
UP NEXT: It's now back to non-conference play for the Eagles with two home games next week. Eastern Washington hosts Multnomah on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. and Boise State on Friday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
 
Tuesday's game will not be streamed, but admission is free. Friday's game can be viewed on ESPN+ and tickets are available at GoEags.com/tickets. A reminder that proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours is required for entry to home games.