FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The day belonged to the offense for Eastern Washington women's basketball on Thursday afternoon as the team earned a key road win. Eastern defeated Northern Arizona 93-87 in Flagstaff behind an overpowering offensive attack from the starting lineup. EWU returns to .500 in the Big Sky at 4-4 and is 11-10 overall. NAU falls to 3-6 in conference and 7-15 this season.
"This was a great road win at NAU today for our crew. I'm so proud of our execution on offense and ability to make the extra pass to continuously get great looks," head coach Joddie Gleason described. "Every time NAU made a run at us in the fourth, someone different would step up to make a shot or free throw."
The 'Jacks had a slim lead after the first quarter, but an aggressive second quarter from Eastern put them in control of the game at halftime. EWU cruised in the second half, shooting 51.9 percent and scoring 47 points.
The Eagles' 93 points is the team's second-highest total this season and most against a division I opponent. Eastern finished with a 47.8 shooting percentage, also the second-best of the year.
EWU had two players score 20-plus points and four total with 15-or-more.
"Elyn Bowers ran the show for us again today and is displaying her ability to score or distribute at the highest level," Gleason said of Bowers. "She was unfazed by their full court pressure and repeatedly executed against some quickness. Ella Gallatin and Emily McElmurry hit timely shots against their zone defense for us as well."
Bowers lit up the arena with a career-best 26 points, shooting 8-of-16(505) from the floor and 3-of-8(37.5%) from three. Right behind was Gallatin scoring 20 points on early identical shooting; 8-of-16 overall and 4-of-8(50%) from three.
Eastern's sophomore forwards joined in support, as Kourtney Grossman and Jaecy Eggers each registered double-doubles. Grossman tallied 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Eggers had 17 points and 11 rebounds.
"We had double-doubles from both Kourtney and Jeacy tonight that were huge for us to complete this road win," Gleason added. " We are excited to head back home after this three-game road stretch and get three in a row on Reese Court. Go Eags!"
Both teams ran their offense efficiently to start the game. The score was tied 9-9 at the 6:27 point, with Emily McElmurry delivering a key three-point make. Eastern would build a seven-point lead at 18-11 and 3:28 on the clock, with Elyn Bowers providing the scoring. Down the stretch, NAU ripped off a 11-3 run to take a 27-26 advantage. EWU shot a hot 52.6 percent from the floor.
Moving to the second, the pace of the game slowed down as neither team scored for nearly two minutes into the quarter. After trailing by three, Bowers connected with a three to tie the game. Following a Bowers made shot, EWU took the lead, building a 7-0 run for the Eagles. EWU led by as much as eight in the quarter, behind 10 points from Bowers. At halftime, Eastern led 46-40, shooting 43.8 percent in the second.
The Eagles' scoring remained effective in the third quarter, as they shot 50 percent from the floor. Four players scored five-or-more points in the quarter to balance the scoring. EWU built out its lead to 11 at 7:22 with another made three from Bowers. The 'Jacks organized a run that reduced the lead to two at 3:02 and again at 2:26. Eastern had a response to the run and kept its leading going into the fourth, up 70-63.
In the fourth quarter, the Eagles showed no signs of slowing down, dropping 23 points on 42.9 percent shooting. EWU maintained separation from NAU as the scoring balance continued from all positions. Kourtney Grossman found her groove on offense, scoring 10 points, going 3-of-4(75%) on shots and a perfect 4-of-4 on free throws. As a team, Eastern was also perfect from the strike, going 10-for-10 in the fourth. The free throw shooting helped the Eagles close out the 'Jacks for the road win.
Eag Notes
- Eastern Washington 90 points for the second time this season after totalling 99 against Northwest U in the season opener.
- Elyn Bowers notched her 4th 20-point game with a new career-high in points. scored in double figures for the 18th game this season. Bowers added 6 rebounds and a team-leading 3 steals.
- Ella Gallatin posted her 4th 20-point game of the season and 6th of her career. It's her 17th game this season in double-digits. Gallatin led the team with 5 assists.
- This is the second time this season Bowers and Gallatin have scored 20 points in the same game. The two each dropped 20-plus against Washington State, with Gallatin scoring 22 and Bowers adding 20.
- The Eagles carried a 91.3 free throw percentage in the game (21-for-23), the team's second-best mark this season. Kourtney Grossman led the team, going 9-of-10(90%) from the line.
- Grossman added another double-double to her total, now reaching the standard in seven-consecutive games. It's Grossman's 14th double-double of the season and 27 of her career. She has 19 games scoring in double figures and 16 in double-digits for rebounds.
- Jaecy Eggers earned her 4th double-double of the season. She had her 12th game scoring in double figures and 5th double digit rebounding game.
- Grossman and Eggers last had double-doubles together against Weber State on Jan. 15.
- As a team, EWU out-rebounded NAU, 41 to 27. They accumulated a 46-to-34 point advantage in the paint.
- Eastern limited mistakes to 14 turnovers, leading to 8 points for the 'Jacks. The Eagles forced 15 turnovers and scored 15 points on those mistakes.
- Emily McElmurry finished with 7 points on 3-of-7( shooting, adding a pair of rebounds.
Up Next
Eastern Washington heads back home to host Northern Colorado on Saturday (Jan. 31), with tip off 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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