FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The matchup between the top two teams in the Big Sky lived up to the hype, but it was the end of Eastern Washington women's basketball's winning streak. Eastern lost to Northern Arizona, 89-81, in overtime. The Eagles trailed by double-digits into the fourth quarter, but came back to force overtime. EWU now sits at 6-1 in the Big Sky and 16-4 overall.
"We have to be happy with a road split on the toughest traveling trip in the conference against two quality opponents," head coach
Joddie Gleason said. "We are very disappointed in the loss today, but it was a battle and comeback to take it to overtime. NAU hit huge shots in OUT and didn't match it.
Aaliyah Alexander and
Jamie Loera were exceptional again tonight, scoring 51 points for us while defending their top scorers all game.
Bella Hays had a great weekend against some really good post players. We will learn from this game and be ready to bounce back at home next week."
Despite the loss, Aaliyah Alexander scored a career-high 31 points on 8-of-14(57.1%) shooting and was 12-of-16(75%) from the free throw line. Jamie Loera followed with 20 points on 7-of-16(43.8%) shooting and 4-of-6(66.7%).
Early on, NAU was in control, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first minutes. The Lumberjacks extended the lead to 13-3 with 4:02 on the clock. Loera had a pair of threes early to keep the Eagles in the game. Eastern trimmed the lead down to 16-13 with 1:31 on the clock, getting a three from Alexander. After one quarter, EWU trailed 19-18, scoring the final four points and shooting 42.9 overall.
The Lumberjacks defense was difficult for Eastern to overcome in the second quarter, opening with a 10-1 run. The Eagles trailed by 29-19 with 4:11 left in the half. Jaydia Martin hit a three at 1:50 for EWU's only field goal of the quarter. NAU led 37-24 at half, as Eastern struggled with a 8.3 shooting percentage.
EWU found some rhythm in the third quarter on offense, as Alexander opened the half with a quick jump shot. The Lumberjacks continued to run a strong offense, building a 42-28 lead at the 7:50 point. Alexander stayed aggressive, connecting on her jumpers during the quarter. The Eagles cut the lead down to six with 1:28 left in the quarter, but NAU responded with five-straight points. EWU trailed 57-46 after three despite improving their shooting to 47.1 percent.
The 'Jacks pushed their lead to 15 in the fourth quarter, looking to close the Eagles out. Bella Hays came off the bench and gave Eastern a spark in the paint with eight points. With the score at 63-51 with 5:33 on the clock, EWU blitzed NAU with a 12-0 run, started by Hays second layup. Alexander made her way to the free throw line four times during the run as well. The 'Jacks stopped the bleeding and went up 70-64 at 1:20. Once again, the Eagles rallied getting layups from Loera and Alexander. A NAU free throw gave them a 71-68 lead and 28 seconds on the clock. It was Alexander who delivered the clutch shot, hitting a three and tying the game at 71. The 'Jacks then converted two free throws to take the lead, but Jaleesa Lawrence matched with two of her own with one second left. The game went to overtime with the teams tied at 73.
Both teams missed their first two shots of overtime, but NAU scored first at 3:27 and would lead 77-73 at 2:53. Loera answered with a three, but the 'Jacks' Nyah Moran made a three in quick response. Lawrence drove in for a layup, but Olivia Moran connected from three for NAU for a 83-78 lead over Eastern. NAU held on, making its free throws, for a 89-81 win over the Eagles.
Eag Notes
- Aaliyah Alexander notched her first career 30-point game against Northern Arizona. It was the first 30-point game for an Eagles since Jaydia Martin scored 33 against Montana against Montana last season.
- Jamie Loera finished with 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and sixth of her career. Loera also led the team with six assists.
- Bella Hays scored 10 points and had five rebounds in 22 minutes of game time off the bench.
- The Lumberjacks won the rebounding battle, 47-42. They outscored Eastern in the paint, 40-32. Eastern had 12 offensive rebounds that they turned into 13 points.
- The record-setting winning streak ends at 10 games for EWU. It is the team's first loss since Dec. 15 against Cal (70-78).
Up Next
Eastern Washington plays three games in six days at home next week, starting with Montana State on Feb. 1. Eastern then hosts Montana on Feb. 3 and Portland State on Feb. 5.
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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