The Eagles paid the University of Portland a visit on Nov. 8, Eastern ended up falling to the Pilots 68-65.

Straight out of the gates, the game was competitive. Portland scored first, but then senior center, Laura Hughes answered back by scoring to tie it up. Later on in the first half, the Eagles scored two 3-pointers to tie the score 14-14. Those 3-pointers came from junior guard Lexie Nelson and senior guard Aubrey Ashenfelter.

Freshmen guard Jade Redmon scored for the first time this season at the 9:34 mark in the first half. This cut the deficit to one point difference at 17-16, Portland then went on a short 5-1 run to make the score 22-18. At the 4:22 mark, the Eagles would make three free throws to lead 30-29 at the end of the first half.

In the second half, Hughes put down a jump shot pushing EWU’s lead to three. Nelson also contributed in the early moments of the second half with a 3-pointer to increase EWU’s lead by six. Portland then answered back by cutting the Eagle’s lead to just two. However, junior guard Kylie Huerta scored a 3-pointer to end the Portland comeback.

With eight minutes remaining in the game, sophomore guard Hayley Hodgins scored to give Eastern an eight point lead. Portland buckled down on the defensive end of the floor. Soon the Portland defense became offense and this turned into a 12-4 run for the pilots.

This run cut the EWU lead to only one. Junior forward Melissa Williams answered back with a jump shot to keep Eastern’s head above water. After a timeout from the Eagles, Portland’s Kari Luttinen blocked Redmon’s shot with 50 seconds left in the game.

Portland then scored to lead 66-65. Portland then stole the ball on a EWU possession to win with a layup with three seconds remaining. Hughes had 17 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field and she made 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

Nelson had 15 points for the night, with 6-of-15 shooting. Hodgins had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting with four rebounds as well.