Eastern Washington women's basketball returns to Reese Court on Saturday to host, Southern Utah. The game will tip-off at 2 p.m. as the Eagles look to pull an upset and get back in the win column. The Thunderbirds are currently second in the Big Sky standings.

Fan Focus
Saturday's game will be the highlight of Eastern Washington's alumni weekend. All Eastern Washington Alumni can purchase tickets for $7.50.

The Eagles matchup against the Bobcats will be another Eagle Family Saturday! Families can purchase tickets for $5 apiece up to (6) tickets. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the link here.

The game will also be Play4Kay as fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the fight against cancer. 
 
Last Time Out
Eastern Washington last hit the court on Jan. 27 against Montana State, before its game against Montana was rescheduled. The Bobcats topped the Eagles at Reese Court, winning 65-55.
 
The Eagles had three players in double figures, with Jaydia Martin leading the team with 14 points on 5-of-10(50%) shooting and 2-of-4(50%) from three. Jacinta Buckley scored 10 points on 5-of-12(42%) shooting and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the team. Jaleesa Lawrence scored 13 points on 4-of-14(29%) shooting, going 4-of-5(80%) from the free-throw line.
 
Eastern had difficult first half getting its offense going and managed only 15 points by halftime and trailing by eight. The shots began to fall for the Eagles in the third quarter, as the team went 7-of-15(46.7%) and scored 19 points to cut into the MSU lead. They were able to limit the Bobcats to 28.6 percent in the third.
 
The pace of the game picked up in the fourth quarter, as MSU went for 27 points with a 57.1 shooting percentage. Eastern shot well in the quarter, 47.1 percent, but it was not enough to catch the Bobcats offensive output.
 
A Look at the Eagles
Eastern Washington is 4-15 this season with a 2-8 mark in Big Sky games. The Eagles are currently on a four-game losing streak after winning two -straight conference games.
 
Despite the recent stretch, Eastern has been a solid defensive team through the 2021-22 season. The team is second in the conference in field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot 37.4 percent this season. Additionally, the scoring defense ranks fourth, allowing 64.1 points per game. The Eagles are among the Big Sky leaders in steals, accounting for 164 this season and averaging 8.4 a game. Jaydia Martin leads the team with 30 this season.
 
Martin has been an aggressive scorer this season, ranking second in the conference and 19th in the nation with 318 shots attempted. Martin has recorded double figures scoring in 17 of 19 games. The true freshman does damage from behind the arc, recording 44 made three pointers to lead the conference. She has attempted 151 this season and ranks fifth in the Big Sky with a 29.1, three-point shooting percentage. Martin averages 2.32 made three-point shots a game.
 
As a team, the Eagles are averaging 7.3 made three pointers per game and have made 138 total this season; both stats rank third in the conference. The team is shooting 30.9 percent from three-point range.
 
Jacinta Buckley has developed into a major two-way player for Eastern, ranking second on the team in scoring with 11.7 points per game and leading the team with 8.2 rebounds per game. Buckley's rebound average is the fourth best in the conference. Against Big Sky foes, Buckley is averaging 12.1 points and 8.7 rebounds.
 
Andie Zylak is the main facilitator for the Eagles, leading the team with 3.8 assists per game; that also ranks sixth in the conference. Zylak has recorded five-or-more assists in six games this season.
 
A Look at the Thunderbirds
Southern Utah comes into the week as the top-team in the Big Sky with an 8-1 record in conference. The Thunderbirds are 12-6 overall this season and are currently on a three-game win streak. This past week, Southern Utah picked up a pair of wins over Portland State, 64-63 and 77-53 in the home-and-home matchups.
 
The Thunderbirds have three players averaging in double figures, led by redshirt-senior Darri Dotson's 11.2 points per game. Redshirt-sophomore, Lizzy Williamson, is second with 11.8 points per game and Cherita Daugherty follows with 10.6. The dynamic duo power the SUU rim defense, with Williamson ranking fourth in the conference with 24 blocks, and third with 1.41 a game average. Dotson has posted 22 total blocks, averaging 1.29 a game, both good for fifth in the Big Sky.
 
SUU leads the conference with 4.8 blocks a game and has 86 total this season.
 
Williamson also leads the team in rebounds with 8.4 a game, while Dotson comes in right behind her with 7.5 a game. The two help the Thunderbirds to rank second in the conference with 42.1 rebounds per game.
 
SUU is the top scoring offense in the Big Sky, averaging 74.0 points per game.
 
Series History
Eastern Washington holds a slim 12-11 lead in the series history against Southern Utah, with the Thunderbirds winning the past three matchups. The Eagles have a 7-5 advantage at Reese Court, while going 4-5 on the road and the two teams are 1-0 at neutral site games.
 
Earlier this season, SUU defeated Eastern, 60-46 in Cedar City. Jaydia Martin led the Eagles with 13 points and Alexis Pettis added 10.
 
Up Next
Eastern Washington will be on the road next week for two games. The Eagles will travel to Ogden, UT to play Weber State on Thursday, Feb. 10 with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Eastern will then play Idaho State in Pocatello, ID at 1 p.m.
 
Full concession services are back open at Reese Court for fans to enjoy. This includes the Eagle Club hospitality area. 
 
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.