CHENEY, Wash. — With one final non-conference game of the 2026, Eastern Washington handled business on Monday night. Eastern defeated Bushnell, 78-37 at Reese Court in the team's final tune-up before Big Sky games begin on Saturday. EWU finishes its non-conference schedule 7-8.
"It's a nice tune-up for us. We had five days off for the holiday break and we only have one game in the first week of conference play. It would have been a huge layover so we're grateful to schedule Bushnell to come up here and play this game," head coach Joddie Gleason said. "It helped get the rust off and go through the scout for a nice tune-up before the Big Sky schedule. I think it really helps us get ready and not have any letdowns in the game on Saturday against Idaho. I'm happy with the way we prepared for this game and executed the goals defensively in each quarter."
Eastern recorded a season-best 54 rebounds and had a plus-26 rebounding margin against Bushnell. EWU's scoring in the paint was significant, holding a 42-to-20 advantage over the Beacons.
"One of the main focuses for the week was to get the ball inside. Our guards do a good job of reading the Eagles and getting it into the paint," Gleason described. "If there is a double, they try to find the skip pass or a high or low option and we did a nice job of feeding it inside. Jaecy [Eggers] and Kourtney [Grossman] went to work after they got the ball or distributed it when a double team was coming."
Kourtney Grossman led the Eagles with a game-high 17 points adding 11 rebounds for another double-double. It was not the only double-double on the night as Jaecy Eggers posted her first career with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
"I think walking into each game and building off of each game with confidence, but seeing each game with a new chance to get better," Grossman explained. "Knowing my role and knowing what I can do to help my team is important. It's about being consistent to help my team because I know they count on me in my role as I count on them to pick me up. It's been super fun for Jaecy and I to play off each other. It's really nice to know that if Jaecy gets the rebound then I can be the first post down and post up; then if I get the rebound I can be the first post down, post up."
EWU finished with four players scoring in double figures, recording 15 assists on 30 made field goals.
"Another one of our goals was to get 15 assists and they did a nice job in that area," Gleason added. "We got it on one of our last baskets and it was exciting to see some of the players that don't get as many minutes be able to execute and reach our goals. They do a nice job for us in practice and work hard. I'm happy to see everyone play and move the ball. We did a better job getting inside-outside threes set up. We really tried to focus on that the past few weeks."
The score stayed close in the first quarter, with the Beacons leading 4-1. The Eagles responded with a 7-0 run to go in front, powered by 5 points from Jaecy Eggers. EWU was up 12-6 at 4:12 on a made three from Kourtney Grossman. Bushnell did not fade away, scoring the next five points and Eastern led 12-11 after the first. They shot only 21.1 from the floor.
Out of the gate in the second quarter, the Eagles separated from the Beacons, putting together a 10-0 run. Four different players scored during the run to help build the lead. EWU heavily improved its shooting, going up to 47.8 in the quarter. Elyn Bowers was 3-for-3 in the second, finishing with eight points, while Caitie Gingras followed with six points on 2-of-3(66%) shooting from three. Eastern built a 38-22 advantage going into halftime.
In the third, EWU expanded its lead, shooting 53.3 percent in the quarter and outscored Bushnell, 19-8. Eggers led the scoring again with six points, while Ella Gallatin had five points, followed by Bowers and Grossman with four each. The Eagles held the Beacons to 20 percent shooting during the third. Eastern's lead was now 57-31.
The Eagles poured it on in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points and holding Bushnell to six. EWU shot 50 percent from the floor for the second consecutive quarter, going 3-of-5(60%) from three. Grossman helped close the door with six points in the quarter and Eastern won the game 78-37.
For the game, Eastern shot 42.3 percent and held the Beacons to 28.8 percent.
Eag Notes
- Jaecy Eggers posted her first career double-double in her 44th game as an Eagle. The game was Eggers 2nd career double-digit rebounding game and first this season. She scored in double figures for the 8th time this season and 23rd of her career. Eggers also posted her 6th game this season with 2-or-more blocks, finishing with a pair.
- Kourtney Grossman earned the double-double for the 3rd consecutive game and has 6 in her last seven games. She has 7 total double-doubles this season. Grossman recorded her 12th double-digit scoring game and has 32 games scoring in double figures for her career. It was also Grossman's 7th game with double figure rebounds and 25th of her career.
- The game marked the first time two Eagles had a double-double in the same game since Jan. 1, 2024 against North Dakota when Jacinta Buckley (14 pts, 11 rbs) and Aaliyah Alexander (18 pts, 14 rbs) earned one apiece.
- The Eagles grabbed as season-best 20 offensive rebounds, turning them into 18 second chance points.
- Elyn Bowers scored 14 points on Monday and was in double figures for the 10th time this season
- EWU scored 13 points in fast break and prevented the Beacons from scoring in transition.
- Ella Gallatin scored in double figures for the 25th game in her career and 9th season after tallying 10 points tonight.
- Emily McElmurry set a career-best with 5 assists in the game, while Bowers added 4.
- Every Eastern player with minutes scored in the game. EWU last recorded that achievement this past March against Sacramento State(3/8).
Up Next
Eastern Washington begins its Big Sky slate on Saturday (Jan. 3) as they host Idaho at 2 p.m. from Reese Court.
Women's basketball season tickets are now on sale! Claim your seats at Reese Court for the 2025-26 season by visiting goeags.com/tickets to purchase online.
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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