CHENEY, Wash. – Isaiah Moses didn't arrive at Eastern Washington by accident. His path to Cheney has been long and demanding, shaping both the player and the leader he is becoming as Big Sky play ramps up. After entering the transfer portal, Moses said there were "a lot of factors" that led him to choose Eastern, starting with a familiar face.

"Obviously, my old coach, Ryan Lundgren, he coached me at CSI," Moses said. "He was a big, big factor in recruiting me, for sure."

But it went beyond one relationship, as Moses felt a sense of comfort throughout the process. "Coach Dan Monson, Coach LA, Coach Hobbs, every coach that was on the staff here just welcomed me with open arms," he said. "They really made me feel like this was home… I've enjoyed my time here, so I'm happy with my decision."

As the season has progressed, Moses has seen firsthand what separates Eastern's culture. "I think the culture here is very loving and very caring," he said. "They show you that stuff matters—and that you matter as a person, not just a basketball player."

Along with that care, the Eagles are building an identity centered on toughness. "We're trying to adopt an identity of toughness and relentlessness," Moses said. "Keeping it steady and keeping it tough."
That mindset will be tested immediately as Big Sky Conference play opens with rivalry matchups against Montana State and Montana. "We look at every conference game as a big game," he said. "But rivalry week is a pretty big deal. You go into those games with a little more motivation."

Playing both games at Reese Court adds another layer of importance. "Showing up for our fans and the Cheney community is huge," Moses said. "We really want to get these two wins."

On the court, Moses has been one of Eastern's most consistent contributors, leading the Big Sky in free-throw percentage at 88 percent while ranking near the top of the conference in scoring and assists—something he didn't even realize. "Oh, I'm not aware of that at all," Moses said with a laugh. "Okay, okay. That's good." He is quick to deflect individual praise, instead crediting the system and the people around him. "Big props to Ryan Lundgren," he said. "He coaches our offense and really orchestrates us very well."

The support of his teammates has also played a major role. "We have really good bigs, good wings, good guards," Moses said. "It's a collective unit on the offensive side." That collective approach has helped Moses step into a larger leadership role at point guard, particularly with Andrew Cook sidelined.

"When you're a point guard, people are looking at you to be a leader," he said. "You've got the ball in your hands most of the time."

Though naturally more quiet, Moses has embraced being more vocal. "My voice means a lot," he said. "Being ultra-communicative really helps us." Looking ahead, Moses believes the Eagles know where growth is needed. "We really need to hone in on our defense," he said. "Our offense isn't what's losing us games—it's getting enough stops."

Despite a tough non-conference schedule, his confidence remains high. "We want to win this conference," Moses said. "We're making steps in the right direction."

Drawing on his own journey, Moses sees a program ready to take the next step. "If we get some wins and get more fans in the building," he said, "we can really show that we're here to compete and win this league."
 
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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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