GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Saving the best for last was never more important than today for Eastern Washington women's basketball. EWU defeated North Dakota, 72-65, after they trailed by seven entering the fourth quarter. Eastern's win also gives the conference another 1.5 points in the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge. The Eagles now have a six-game winning streak and are 12-3 on the season.
"This was an incredible road win for us. We stayed composed and continued to work when shots weren't falling for three quarters," head coach Joddie Gleason said. "We attacked the glass and won the rebounding battle, which was the difference in the game. A huge shout out to Aaliyah Alexander with her double-double. She was a beast on the boards and scored in multiple ways for us."
The team spread the scoring around, with four players in double figures. Aaliyah Alexander had a game-high 18 points, with Jaydia Martin following with 17. Jacinta Buckley and Jamie Loera contributed 14 and 13 points respectively. Alexander and Buckley would each notch a double with 14 and 11 rebounds.
"In the fourth, we went with our small lineup where Jacinta Buckley and Jaydia Martin were clutch for us," Gleason added. "It's nice to see Jaydia getting more comfortable with every game. Jamie Loera ran the show and continues to push us towards excellence every day. The toughness and resilience this team shows is absolutely the difference in all these road wins. We have played a very tough schedule and have been on the road for a month and these players just keep showing up. I'm so proud of them! Go Eags!"
Scoring was not at a premium in the first quarter, with neither team's offense running effectively. The teams were tied at five at the 5:11 point of the quarter. Eastern found some rhythm with a 7-0 run, getting a three from Loera along the way. Alexander drained a three and Ellie Boni connected on a turnaround jumper for a 17-10 lead at the end of one.
UND closed the gap in the second quarter, going on an 8-0 run to take the lead, 18-17, and 6:31 on the clock. EWU went back to work, using an 8-3 stretch to get the lead back. The Eagles had three from Alexander and Loera again. The Fighting Hawks countered and closed the half with a 5-0 spurt to take a 26-25 lead.
Martin handed Eastern the lead back quickly in the third quarter with a made three shot. UND responded with four made free throws to get back in front. A jumper from Jaleesa Lawrence put the Eagles on top, 32-30 at the 6:17 mark. With EWU leading 36-35, the Fighting Hawks organized a 7-0 run to take control in the quarter. At the break, Eastern was down 48-41 to UND.
Trailing in the game, it was Martin who provided the spark for the Eagles' rally. The junior hit two threes and brought Eastern within four at 51-47. Next up was Lorea, who scored five straight points to put EWU up 52-51 at the 6:24 mark. After the Fighting Hawks retook the lead briefly, Buckley drained a three to put the Eastern back up. Martin followed up with another three to separate from UND and Alexander was key down the stretch, making her free throws. The rally led to a 72-65 victory in the game. The Eagles came to life with 31 points in the fourth quarter on 40.0 percent shooting.
Eag Notes
- Eastern pulled down 53 rebounds, one shy of the team's season-high. They out-rebounded North Dakota by 10.
- The Eagles had 20 offensive rebounds that they scored 18 points off of second-chance opportunities.
- The game was highly competitive with 18 lead changes and six ties.
- Jacinta Buckley earned her second-straight double-double and now has 14 in her Eagle career.
- Aaliyah Alexander notched her fourth career double-double and third this season. Her 14 rebounds is a new career-high. This was Alexander's seventh game this season with 15 or more points.
- EWU forced 20 turnovers from the Fighting Hawks, turning them into 21 points.
- Jamie Loera continued to fill up the stat sheet, adding eight rebounds, six assists and three steals to her 13 points.
Up Next
Conference games resume next week for Eastern Washington as the team has one matchup at Idaho on Jan. 13, with tipoff at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.
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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