For the first time in 2023, Eastern Washington women's basketball will be playing two games in a row at Reese Court. Eastern will host Northern Colorado on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Eagles will play Northern Arizona at 2 p.m.

Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and live stats can be seen on GoEags.com.

Saturday's game will be Alumni Day for Eastern women's basketball alumni. For full information on Eastern's Alumni weekend, click the link HERE. All Eastern alumni can purchase a ticket for $5 for students, the first 100 who attend the game will receive a free hot dog. Tickets can be purchased online at GoEags.com.

Last Time Out
The Eagles were in Montana on Monday (Jan. 16) to wrap up the season series against the Grizzlies. Eastern dominated the game, leading by 23 at halftime and shot a season-best, 57.1 percent from the floor. Montana was unable to keep pace, and the Eagles controlled the paint with 46 points scored. Limiting opportunities for the Grizzlies, Eastern matched its season low with only six turnovers in the game.

Three players scored in double figures, highlighted by Jaydia Martin's career-best 33 points. Martin was 14-of-23(60.9%) overall and 5-of-11(45.5%) from three-point range. Martin's point total was the first 30-point game for an Eagle since Grace Kirscher scored 31 in 2020. Milly Knowles scored 12 points and has consecutive double-digit scoring games for the first time in her career. Jaleesa Lawrence made the start in the game and scored 13 points. Adding to the effort, Jamie Loera scored nine points, along with eight rebounds and six assists.

A Look at the Eagles
Eastern Washington is on a two-game winning streak and is now 3-3 in the Big Sky, 10-6 overall, with a 4-3 road record. The Eagles are not shy about scoring, averaging 72.4 points per game to rank second in the conference. The shooting is consistent for Eastern, as the team is 42.7 percent from the floor. Eastern allows 65.1 points per game. Ball security continues to be an emphasis for the Eagles and the team leads the Big Sky with a plus-5.1 turnover margin (27^th in the NCAA) and a 1.38 assist-to-turnover margin (ninth in the NCAA). A driving factor behind the team's turnover margin is Eastern ability to intercept opponents' passes, averaging 9.69 steals per game. The team has 155 total this season. Additionally, the Eagles are averaging 15.9 assists per game with 255 total through 16 games.

After averaging 24.5 points per game and shooting 50.0 percent from the floor, Jaydia Martin was named Big Sky Player of the Week on Tuesday (Jan. 17). Martin is sixth in the Big Sky with 15.8 points per game. Outside of her scoring ability, Martin averages 4.7 rebounds per game, tying for 19^th in the conference. With a 41.7 shooting percentage, Martin is efficient in her offensive production, also holding the fourth spot with a 36.9 three-point percentage. She averages 2.6 made threes a game for the third-best mark in the Big Sky.

Continuing to score and grabbing rebounds in bunches, Jacinta Buckley is showcasing her ability at both ends of the court. The Spokane native is averaging 7.7 rebounds per game to rank sixth in the Big Sky. Buckley averages 11.0 points per game, good for 19^th in the conference. Averaging 0.9 blocks per game, Buckley is also eighth on the conference leaderboard.

Jamie Loera is everywhere on the court, averaging 4.6 assists per game for second in the conference. The Moses Lake, Wash. native's 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio leads all Big Sky players. Loera ranks second on the team and 15^th in the Big Sky with 5.6 rebounds per game. She is 22^nd in the conference and third on the team with 10.5 points per game. With 35 steals, Loera averages 2.2 a game and is second in the Big Sky.

Scouting the Bears
Northern Colorado is 2-4 in the Big Sky and 9-8 overall with a 7-2 record at home. UNC snapped a four-game losing streak with a 75-56 win over Portland State on Saturday (Jan. 14) at home. The Bears lost its first game of the week to Sacramento State, 41-73. The defense has been a strength for UNC, limiting opponents to a 63.2 points per game average. UNC averages 64.5 points per game.

Junior guard Hannah Simental is the team's top scorer with a 14.9 points per game average and is seventh in the Big Sky. Simental is third in the Big Sky in three-point shooting with a 43.0 average. Junior forward Delaynie Byrne averages 7.1 rebounds per game to hold the number eight spot on the conference leaderboard.

Series History
Eastern Washington is 12-21 against Northern Colorado in program and history, going 7-9 at home and 4-10 on the road, with a 1-2 record in neutral sites. The two teams met in the Big Sky Tournament first-round last season, with the Bears winning 64-45. Jaydia Martin scored 14 points and Jacinta Buckley had 12.

Scouting the Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona is 4-2 in the Big Sky and is 10-9 overall this season, going 5-4 on the road. This past week, NAU knocked off the conference leader, Sacramento State, 77-67. Prior to playing in Cheney, NAU will play Idaho on Thursday (Jan. 19). The Lumberjacks field the top scoring offense in the Big Sky, with 77.4 points per game. Opponents have taken advantage against the NAU defense, as they allow 76.7 points. From three-point range, the Lumberjacks are averaging 8.3 made shots per game. Rebounding is also a strength for NAU, accounting for a conference-leading 39.8 per game.

Montana Otltrogge leads the Lumberjacks in points (13.1) and rebounds per game (8.4). Oltrogge ranks fifth in rebounding and 10^th in scoring for the conference. Facilitating the offense is Regan Schenck, who averages 6.9 assists per game, the leading average in the Big Sky. Schenck holds a 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio to rank fifth in the conference.

Series History
In program history, Eastern is 40-32 against Northern Arizona, going 25-12 against the Lumberjacks at Reese Court. The Eagles have dropped the last six games, including both matchups last season (54-69, 67-81). Jaydia Martin and Jacinta Buckley both scored 16 points in the last meeting in Flagstaff (March 3, 2022).

Up Next
The Eagles will get back on the road the following week to play Idaho State on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m., followed by a matchup against Weber State on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m.