Eastern Washington women's basketball gets to stay at home for the next two weeks and will play three games over the stretch. The Eagles begin this weekend, hosting Montana State on Thursday, Jan. 27 with top-off scheduled for 6 p.m. PT. On Saturday, Jan. 29, Eastern plays host to the second matchup against Montana, with tip-off at 2 p.m.

Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day
The game against Montana State on Thursday will be Faculty and Staff Appreciation. Any faculty or staff member of Eastern Washington University can show their ID card and get a $5 ticket, or you can purchase tickets online using promo code STAFF22.

Eagle Family Saturday's 
Every scheduled Eagles Saturday game will be Eagle Family Saturday, as families can purchase tickets for $5 apiece up to (6) tickets.

Last Time Out
Eastern Washington dropped its Monday night game against Northern Arizona, 69-54 to open the team's extended home stand. NAU had five players score eight or more points and three were in double figures.
 
The Eagles shot 32.8 percent against the Lumberjacks and 22.6 percent from behind the arc. 
 
After keeping the score close in the first quarter, NAU separated from the Eagles in the second and third with strong shooting performances. The Lumberjacks had a 48.3 shooting percentage for the game and were 6-of-20(30%) from three.
 
Jacinta Buckley was the game's top scorer with 17 points on 8-of-14(57%) shooting and was 1-of-5(20%) on three-point shots. Buckley also tied f with Jaleesa Lawrence for the team-high in rebounds, both grabbing six in the game.
 
Alexis Pettis was a spark off the bench for Eastern, scoring 10 points, grabbing three rebounds, and adding two steals.
 
Jaydia Martin scored eight points, adding five rebounds, and two steals.
 
NAU had the advantage over the Eagles in the paint, outscoring them, 34-22.

A Look at the Eagles
Eastern Washington holds a 4-14 record this season and is 2-7 in Big Sky matchups. The team is currently on a three-game losing streak after falling Monday night to Northern Arizona, 69-54. The Eagles are now 4-6 at Reese Court and are 0-7 on the road.
 
Eastern has been active in disrupting opponents passing lanes this season and is now third in the Big Sky with 155 steals this season. As a team, the Eagles are averaging 8.6 steals per game. Jaydia Martin is eighth in the conference with 1.6 steals per game with 28 total for the year. Jacinta Buckley is 15th with a 1.3 steals average, 20 total, and Jaleesa Lawrence is 18th with 1.2 a game, 22 total.
 
 The Eagles have shown the ability to defend opponents' shots this season, ranking third in the Big Sky after allowing a 37.6 field-goal percentage defense.
 
Jaydia Martin leads the team with 14.7 points per game and is third in the conference. Martin tops the Big Sky with 42 made three-point, field-goals and is also first with 147 three-point attempts. Martin is second with a 2.33 three pointers per game in conference.
 
As a team, Eastern is one of the best three-point shooting teams in the conference, making 132 threes, good for second in the Big Sky. The Eagles are averaging 7.3 made three-pointers per game and have attempted 422 this season; both stats are third-best in conference.
 
Jacinta Buckley continues to be a force at both ends of the court, ranking second on the team with a 11.8 points per game and a 44.2 shooting percentage. The sophomore has scored in double figures in five straight games and 10 games total this season. Buckley leads the team and is fourth in the Big Sky with 8.1 rebounds per game.

A Look at the Bobcats
Montana State enters the week with an 11-8 overall record and is 6-2 in Big Sky games. The Bobcats are currently on a four-game winning streak, with all four wins coming at home. This past weekend, Montana St. defeated Northern Arizona(88-73) and Portland State(71-56). The Bobcats also played Monday, defeating in-state rival, Montana, 73-59.
 
Junior guard Darian White is the centerpiece of the Bobcats, leading the team with 15.9 points per game that also puts her as the second leading scorer in the Big Sky. White had made a conference-leading, 77 free-throws on 98 attempts. She is fifth with a 78.6 free-throw percentage. Along with her scoring, White is fourth in the conference with 4.4 assists per game and 80 total.
 
Led by White, Montana St. leads the Big Sky and is fourth in the NCAA with a 80-percent free-throw average. The team has made 260 on 325 attempts total this season, ranking second in the conference.
 
White also is tied for the team lead with 5.2 rebounds per game. Junior forward Kola Bad Bear shares the team lead in rebounds with 5.2 a game, with two games in double figures. She posted 17 against Montana St. Billings back in December game.

Series History
Eastern Washington trails Montana St. in the all-time series between the programs, with a 35-46 deficit to the Bobcats. The Eagles have fared better at Reese Court, with a 18-22 record against MSU, while being 14-23 on the road and 3-1 at neutral sites. Eastern is 1-9 in the last 10 games against the Bobcats.
 
Last February, Eastern dropped two home games to MSU, 42-73 in the first meeting and 64-76 in the second.

A Look at the Grizzlies
Montana holds a 12-5 overall record this season, with a 5-3 mark in conference games. The Grizzlies had won three straight games, prior to a 73-59 defeat to rival Montana State this past Monday. During the weekend, Montana defeated Northern Arizona, 66-60, and Portland State, 93-57.

The Grizzlies are the top blocking team in the Big Sky, recording 80 total this season and averaging 4.7 per game. Montana also leads the conference with 42.6 rebounds per game.

Abby Anderson leads the defense for the Grizzlies, with 34 total blocks and is averaging 2.0 a game to lead the Big Sky. Anderson is the team's leading rebounder with 7.1 per game, good for eighth in conference.

Carmen Gfeller is the go-to scorer for Montana, averaging 13.9 points per game to place her fourth in the Big Sky. Gfeller is shooting 54.1 percent on field-goals and 45.9 percent from three range.

Series History
The Eagles have had a tough history against Montana, trailing the all-time series, 18-68. Eastern is 12-26 at home and 6-40 on the road, with a 0-2 mark at neutral sites. Montana is on a four-game win streak against the Eagles.

The Grizzlies defeated Eastern in February last season with a 65-62 win in Cheney and a 65-53 victory in Missoula.

Up Next
Eastern Washington will only play one game next week, hosting Southern Utah on Saturday, Feb. 5 with tip-off at 2 p.m. The game will be part of Alumni weekend for the Eagles, along with Play for Kay game.

As a reminder, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours for fans ages 11 or older is required for entry to home games. Masks must be worn for fans ages five years old or older unless actively eating or drinking.