FARMINGTON, Utah — The expectations for the 2023-24 season are now firmly set for Eastern Washington women's basketball. Eastern was picked to win the conference by the Big Sky coaches, while the media selected the Eagles to finish second in their respective preseason polls.
EWU received six-of-the-ten first place votes in the coaches' poll. The team received 12 first place votes in the media poll, tying with Northern Arizona, who are slated first by four points.
The 2022-23 season saw the Eagles go 11-7 in the Big Sky and 19-11 overall. Eastern set a program record with a 10-win improvement from the 2021-22 season. The team finished fourth in the Big Sky last season and they went on to defeat Montana in the conference tournament. It was EWU's first tournament win since 2019. The Eagles would lose in the next round to NAU, the eventual tournament runner-up.
Entering her third season leading Eastern, head coach Joddie Gleason returns all five starters and 16 of 17 players from last season's team.
Jamie Loera earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year last season, along with earning a spot on the All-Conference third team.
Jaydia Martin earned her second-straight postseason honor after joining Loera on the All-Conference third team. Jacinta Buckley earned an All-Conference honorable mention for her second award.
The Eagles will host Montana Tech for an exhibition on Oct. 29 at Reese Court. Eastern begins its regular season against Southern Utah on Nov. 8 in Cedar City, Utah. The team has four non-conference games at home, including against Gonzaga on Nov. 29. EWU will begin Big Sky play on the road against Portland State on Dec. 28.
Eagle Madnest
Eastern's men's and women's basketball programs will be joined by EWU's Wheelchair Basketball Team to host Eagle Madnest tonight! The teams will welcome students for a celebration of basketball and the opening tip on the 2023-24 season at Reese Court. Festivities start at 7 p.m., including a 3-point contest, skills competition, dunk contest and several opportunities for fans and students to win prizes. Eagle Madnest is free to attend!
2023-24 Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1 – Eastern Washington (6) – 74
2 – Northern Arizona (3) – 73
3 – Montana – 69 (1)
4 – Montana State – 59
5 – Portland State – 45
6 – Northern Colorado – 36
7 – Idaho State – 32
8 – Idaho – 25
9 – Sacramento State – 24
10 – Weber State – 13
2023-24 Women's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
1 – Northern Arizona (12) – 259
2 – Eastern Washington (12) – 255
3 – Montana (2) – 217
4 – Montana State (3) – 209
5 – Portland State – 169
6 – Sacramento State (2)– 149
7 – Idaho – 104
8 – Idaho State – 99
9 – Northern Colorado – 92
10 – Weber State – 42
New for the 2023-24 season, the EWU Women's Sports Pass gives fans access to over 30 Eagle Athletics events, including volleyball, soccer and women's basketball for only $5 per game! Learn more and get yours today at goeags.com/tickets or call 509-359-6056.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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