CHENEY, Wash. – Eastern Washington (10-16, 6-7) claimed its first lead—and the victory—in the final seven seconds, topping Idaho (11-15, 6-7) 75-73.
Andrew Cook led the charge with a career-high 29 points, while
Emmett Marquardt and
Sebastian Hartmann also contributed double-digit performances.
Nic McClain and Cook each grabbed four rebounds to lead the team, and
Mason Williams provided a spark with four steals.
"I'm proud of our guys," said head coach
Dan Monson. "I'm proud of my alma mater, they played hard, and they out played us for 39 minutes. They just had us on skates, we did not play well defensively at all and offensively and rebounds we were inconsistent. I can't be prouder of our guys for fighting and finding a way."
As a team, the Eagles shot 44% from the field and 30% from three-point range. Eastern's defense was a standout, forcing nine steals compared to Idaho's four and recording 16 assists to the Vandals' 13.
"We were telling the guys if they don't make three and don't get second chances we'll be there all game. It was one of those games where who ever got that rebound was going to win in the end.
First Half:
Idaho quickly took a 5-0 lead, but Marquardt answered with a corner three to get the Eagles on the board. He would go on to score Eastern's first eight points, including two three-pointers. The Vandals surged ahead to a 17-8 lead, but Hartmann's free throws helped the Eagles close the gap.
Vice Zanki nailed a three from McClain, though Idaho quickly answered with a three of their own.
Marquardt continued his hot shooting, knocking down his third three-pointer to bring Eastern within single digits.
Tyler Powell then got in on the action with a corner three of his own, and
Angelo Winkel electrified the crowd with a dunk off an alley-oop from Williams. Cook battled under the basket, finishing a contested layup and converting a free throw for a three-point play that pulled the Eagles within four.
With 3:31 left in the half, Idaho extended their lead to 37-29 after hitting two free throws. However, with 57 seconds remaining, Hartmann stole the ball and fed Cook for a fast-break bucket. At the half, Idaho led 41-36.
Second Half:
Hartmann sparked the Eagles early in the second half with a driving layup, weaving between three defenders. Cook then made both free throws, but Idaho responded immediately. Eastern kept fighting but struggled to close the gap as Idaho kept finding answers.
Back-to-back buckets from Williams and Cook brought the Eagles within five before Idaho answered with another three. The two teams traded baskets until Eastern went on an 11-2 run, led by Cook and Williams, to cut the deficit to one point.
With 1:35 remaining, the Eagles tied the game at 73-73 after a 4-0 run.
Elijah Thomas then made a critical block on the backboard with 36 seconds left, giving Eastern possession. After a foul, Cook stepped to the line with 7.8 seconds remaining, knocking down both free throws to give Eastern its first lead of the game at 75-73. The Eagles held on for the win.
Up Next:
Eastern heads on the road for a matchup with Northern Colorado on Thursday, Feb. 20, followed by a game against Northern Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 22.
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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