LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The holiday season came early for Eastern Washington women's basketball heads into the break on a two-game win streak. Eastern defeated Wyoming today, 62-43, to complete their Vegas Holiday Hoops tournament. Heading into conference play next week, Eastern sits with a 8-3 record.
"This hard fought game against Wyoming was a defensive battle all the way with us only having a five-point lead after the third quarter. We opened it up a little in the fourth by swarming on defense, forcing turnovers and hitting clutch shots," head coach Joddie Gleason said. "We talked about finishing games when you have a lead and today we answered that call. The team was locked-in on our plan for defense against a very tough offensive scheme without a lot of time to prepare. This tournament is going to help prepare us for the Big Sky Championship in March."
Jamie Loera led the team with 16 points on 7-of-12(58.3%) shooting and 2-of-2 on three-point attempts. Aaliyah Alexander followed with 14 points on 5-of-11(45.4%) shooting. Loera earned tournament MVP honors and Alexander was named to the All-Tournament team.
Gleason spoke about Loera's and Alexander's contributions, "Jamie does so much for us at both ends of the court. Today, she hit clutch shots when we needed them, ran the offense, and had some huge steals when they were trying to cut the lead. Aaliyah is so consistent game after game. Her calm presence and leadership really helps to keep the team composed; not to mention she is a Bucket! What a great weekend for these two and the entire EWU squad. Go Eags!"
Wyoming jumped on the Eagles to start the game, getting the first six points of the game in under three minutes. Loera dropped in the first shot for Eastern with a three-pointer at 6:35. The two teams then went nearly four minutes without a point between them. Alexis Pettis drove into the lane to break the scoring drought at the 2:48 point. Jaydia Martin drained a three for EWU's first lead of the game. After one quarter, Eastern led 10-8 after shooting 26.7 percent and the Cowgirls had a 33.3 percent line.
The first four points of the second quarter went to the Eagles, getting baskets from Jaleesa Lawrence and Bella Hays. EWU stayed ahead until 3:02 left in the half when Wyoming tied the game at 18. Pettis connected on a jumper to give Eastern the lead back. Alexander made a pair of free throws and connected with her own jumper to help build a 26-21 lead for the Eagles at halftime. Eastern improved to a 53.8 shooting percentage.
Moving to the third quarter, EWU maintained its lead over the Cowgirls. Loera scored four points in the quarter to help keep Wyoming at arms distance. Eastern had an 11-point lead at the 3:05 point, but the Cowgirls closed the gap at the end of the quarter to 39-34. The Eagles had a 40.0 shooting percentage in the quarter.
Eastern went into closer mode in the fourth quarter, posting a 60.0 shooting percentage. Alexander led the charge with a perfect 3-of-3 shooting line in the quarter, with eight total points. Loera added seven points on 3-of-6(50.0%) shooting. Wyoming was held to 33.3 percent shooting, scoring only nine points in the fourth. EWU won the game, 62-43 after outscoring the Cowgirls by 14 in the quarter.
Eag Notes
- The win marks Eastern's second-straight against Wyoming, defeating the Cowgirls in Laramie in 2004 (53-30).
- Jamie Loera matched her career-high with five steals today. It was the second time this season and seventh time in her career she has recorded five steals. EWU had 10 steals in the game and forced 20 total turnovers from Wyoming. The team scored 23 points off those mistakes.
- Eastern committed less than 10 turnovers for the second consecutive game, ending with nine today.
- Aaliyah Alexander recorded her 10th game this season scoring in double figures.
- The Eagles had a narrow 32 to 31 edge in rebounding. Jacinta Buckley led the team with eight rebounds, along with seven from Jaydia Martin and six from Alexander.
- Eastern had a 17 to eight scoring advantage off the bench.
- The game had only one lead change and two ties.
Up Next
The Eagles begin conference play next week on the road, starting with Portland State on Dec. 28. Eastern then travels to play Sacramento State on Dec. 30.
Season tickets for EWU men's and women's basketball are now available and start as low as $100! Tickets for basketball and all EWU Athletics events are available at goeags.com/tickets or via the EWU Athletics Ticket Office at 509-359-6059.
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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