MISSOULA, Mont. — The new year marked the beginning of Big Sky competition for Eastern Washington women's basketball, as they were on the road to face Montana. Despite a close game throughout, the Grizzlies earned the win, 78-70 on Thursday night. EWU opens conference play, 0-1 and is 4-9 overall.
"While we are disappointed with the result of the game, I'm proud of our effort and execution," head coach Joddie Gleason said. "This is a really good Montana team who we had on the ropes at home until 4 minutes left in the game. They hit some big shots to close it out and we did not. But we continued to battle."
The teams shot similarly in the game, with Eastern at 41.3 percent and Montana at 41.2 percent. The difference was in the three-point shot, as the Griz went 13-of-31(41.9%). EWU was 6-of-19(31.6%) from behind the arc.
Ella Gallatin had a career game, with 22 points, a career-best, and 10 rebounds. Peyton Howard added 16 points on 6-of-17(35.3%) shooting.
"Ella had a great game with her first double-double as an Eag. Peyton [Howard] ran the offense with efficiency, breaking the press, setting teammates up or scoring herself," Gleason added. "Our freshman played over 60 minutes in their first Big Sky game against some veterans at UM, and really played well. We will continue to learn and will move on to the next to get ready for a tough Bobcat team on Saturday."
The first quarter was highly competitive, with six lead changes. Eastern took its first lead at 5:38 with a layup from Jaecy Eggers, 13-12. The teams would tie at 15 before Ella Gallatin put the Eagles back in front with two free throws. After the Griz responded with a three, Eggers again drove in to give Eastern a 19-18 lead and 3:54 on the clock. Montana jumped ahead on its next possession and built a slim lead down the stretch of the quarter. EWU trailed 28-25 after the first quarter, despite shooting an impressive 66.7 percent.
In the second quarter, the game remained close with the Griz keeping its lead to begin. Montana went up 38-34 at the 5:09 point on a made three. Alexis Pettis stepped up with five-straight points to hand the Eagles the lead, 39-38, with 2:40 remaining in the half. The Griz converted a layup to get back in front and at 1:37. Howard made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game at 40 going into halftime. Eastern's shooting cooled off to 37.5 percent in the quarter.
The close-contest continued into the third quarter, but Montana opened up a 46-41 lead at the 7:07 mark. Gallatin kept the Eagles around with a three and Kourtney Grossman found room down low for a layup. EWU trailed 47-46 at 5:52. The Griz countered with a five-straight to build a small cushion against Eastern. Gallatin converted two free throws at the end of the quarter and the score was 54-52, Montana. The Eagles shot 26.7 percent in the third.
Gallatin stayed hot in the fourth quarter, handing EWU the lead on a made three, 55-54. Montana retook the lead with a three of their own at 7:48. The Griz managed to keep the Eagles at arms length throughout the quarter. Eastern cut the lead down to three at 3:55, but a 7-0 run from Montana gave them the needed separation. The Griz held on for the 78-70 win. The Eagles shot 35.3 percent in the quarter.
Eag Notes
- The game featured 10 lead changes and three ties. Montana led for 32:41 minutes of the game.
- Ella Gallatin recorded her first career double-double. Her 10 rebounds was one off of her career-best. Gallatin shot 4-of-7(57.1%) from three-point range and 6-of-13(46.2%) overall. It was Gallatin's fifth game this season, scoring in double figures.
- Eastern had a 51 to 38 rebounding advantage in the game, outsourcing the Griz in the paint, 38-24. Kourtney Grossman pulled down a game-high 14, her second-straight game in double figures for rebounding and third this season.
- Alexis Pettis scored 11 points for her fifth game this season scoring in double figures.
- EWU committed less than 10 turnovers in the game, with only 8 total by the team. It was the second game this season Eastern had less than 10 turnovers. Montana was even more careful with the ball, committing only four turnovers.
Up Next
Eastern Washington stays in the Treasure State and will travel to Bozeman to play Montana State on Saturday (Jan. 4) for a 1 p.m. Pacific Time tipoff.
Single game tickets for women's basketball are now on sale. Reserve your seats at Reese Court by clicking on the link here, emailing tickets@ewu.edu or calling the ticket office at 509-359-6059.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
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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