The comeback fell just short for Eastern Washington women's basketball on Thursday (Feb. 16), as they dropped its road game against Northern Arizona, 61-55. The Eagles stayed in striking distance during the majority of the game and took a late lead in the fourth quarter. Despite the effort, the Lumberjacks managed jump ahead and hold on for the win. Eastern is now 7-7 in the Big Sky and 14-10 overall. Northern Arizona improves to 10-5 in conference and 16-12 on the season.

"I'm so proud of the way this team fought today. They executed our game plan, defended and forced turnovers," head coach Joddie Gleason said. "We struggled to score at times, gave up too many rebounds and were held scoreless in the final four minutes, which ultimately cost us the game. Ella Gallatin had a great game at both ends of the court. We need to have a short memory and get ready for an important game at UNC on Saturday."

Starting off the game, Eastern struggled to find its offense and NAU opened with a 5-0 lead after the first three minutes. The lead grew to 10-0 before a three from Jaleesa Lawrence got the Eagles on the board. With 4:05 on the clock, the Lumberjacks held a 10-3 advantage. Ella Gallatin dropped in three points to cut the lead down to four with 3:37 left in the quarter. The Lumberjacks would counter, pushing their lead out to 15-8. NAU continued to score well and went up 22-12 at the end of the quarter.

Eastern struggled to shoot in the quarter, recording a 29.4 figure in the first. The Lumberjacks registered a 36.8 percentage in opening quarter.

In the second quarter, Gabrielle Jung set the tone with an early three. The Lumberjacks quickly responded with four points and extend its lead to 29-16 with 7:30 on the clock. Unfazed, Eastern ripped off an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to 29-24 at the 5:02 points. Aaliyah Alexander scored from inside and outside to help spark the run for the Eagles. Down the stretch, Gallatin connected for a pair of the threes and pulled Eastern to within one at 33-32 going into the half.

The shooting for the Eagles improved to 35.3 percent to help cut into the deficit. The Lumberjacks had a 33.3 shooting percentage.

Opening the third quarter, NAU rebuilt its lead with a 7-0 run. Jamie Loera would score the Eagles' first points of the second half and Lawrence connected for another three. The Lumberjacks were also shooting well from three to stay in front of Eastern. Alexander then took control with five-straight points to bring the NAU lead down to one with 3:55 left in the quarter. Both teams got to the line in the final minutes and the Eagles were trailing 43-47 after three.  

In the third, Eastern shot 28.6 percent from the floor, while the Lumberjacks recorded a 30.8 percentage.

Jacinta Buckley knocked down a jumper to the Eagles on the board in the fourth. Pettis and Gallatin charged down the court in transition for a pair of scores and put NAU on their heels and tie the game at 49. The Lumberjacks responded with a three, but the score was quickly answered by Buckley who also connected from deep. A pair of free throws would give the lead back to NAU. It was Alexander again with the answer for Eastern, hitting a three and giving the Eagles a 55-54 lead with 3:55 on the clock. On the next possession, NAU managed to convert a layup to take the lead. They would follow up with a long three to take a 59-55 advantage with 16 seconds left. The Lumberjacks would make two free throws and held on for the 61-55 win.

In total for the game, Eastern shot 31.1 percent, while NAU only managed a 29.4 percentage.

Key Statistics 
Aaliyah Alexander led Eastern with 13 points on 5-of-13(38.5%) shooting and 2-of-6(33.3%) on three-point shots.

Eastern forced 19 Northern Arizona turnovers. They scored 16 points off of turnovers, while NAU scored only six. The Eagles recorded 13 steals, with five different players recording at least one in the game. Jaleesa Lawrence set a career-high with six steals.

The Eagles bench was highly productive, scoring 28 points, while the Lumberjacks' bench only scored two.

Ella Gallatin set a new career-high with nine points on 3-of-6(50%) shooting, going 2-of-4(50%) from three. Her previous best was eight points.

Jacinta Buckley returned to the lineup, scoring nine points and getting three rebounds.

Up Next
Eastern Washington will play Northern Colorado on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.