By Elohino Theodore
Eastern Washington competed against the Idaho State University Bengals on Jan. 4, where they earned a 67-55 victory.
The Eagles went on an 11-0 run at the start of the game, then Idaho State went 0-5 on their first five baskets. Idaho State’s junior guard Jasmine Lemon scored a jump shot to finally put her team on the scoreboard, though junior guard Lexie Nelson scored a 3-pointer to push EWU to a lead of 12 points.
However, the Bengals would claw their way back into the game by scoring six straight points with 13 minutes left in the first half. Eastern answered back to restore their lead to 12 points again. It would become a back and forth affair as Idaho State would cut Eastern’s lead again to seven points.
The Eagles would have their largest lead of the first half, 30-17. During the final moments of the first half the Bengal’s lockdown defense would hold EWU to only a five point lead. Heading into the halftime Idaho State would cut Eastern to a 10 point lead.
During the second half, Idaho State would continue their scoring run by decreasing the Eagles’ lead to six points. EWU’s freshman guard Bethany Montgomery scored a 3-pointer to answer Idaho State’s run.
The Bengals fought hard as their senior forward Jessica Tingey would score a jump shot to bring Idaho State to within three points. This would force EWU head coach Wendy Schuller to call a timeout.
After the timeout, EWU started to get aggressive. Senior center Laura Hughes would score a jump shot, followed by senior and junior guards Aubrey Ashenfelter and Lexie Nelson scoring fast break layups to put Eastern up by nine points.
The Eagles would continue to put the pressure on as sophomore guard Hayley Hodgins scored a 3-pointer. This would increase the EWU lead to 12 points with 6:49 remaining in the game. With 1:47 left, a jump shot and two free throws from Nelson would give EWU their sixth win.
Nelson finished with 18 points, while Hodgins contributed with 19 points. Hughes had eight points, and Ashenfelter had six points with a game high of seven assists. The EWU bench outscored the Idaho State bench 15-10.
The Eagles will be on the road against Montana on Jan. 9.
