Eastern women are No. 2 seed in Big Sky

The Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team will head to Reno, Nev. this week for the 2016 Big Sky Conference Basketball Championship with the prize of an NCAA Tournament bid up for grabs between all 12 conference schools. 

Eastern (19-11, 13-5 Big Sky) entered the league tournament as the No. 2 overall seed and met No. 7 Sacramento State March 9. The Hornets were a 102-89 winner over No. 10 Southern Utah, March 7. 

The Eagles split the season series with Sacramento State as each team won on the other’s home floor. The Eagles cruised past the Hornets, 100-83, in Sacramento, Jan. 30, but Sac State got revenge with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to win, 94-91, at Reese Court on Feb. 18. 

Sacramento State (10-8 Big Sky, 14-16 overall) comes into Reno having won seven of its last nine contests. Known for its continuous full-court pressure defense, the Hornets led the Big Sky in scoring, averaging 88.1 points per game in league play while forcing league opponents to commit an average of 22.7 turnovers per game.

Heading into the final week of Big Sky play, Eastern had an opportunity to win its first conference regular season title since 2010 but with road losses to Idaho State, 71-62, March 2, followed by an 80-74 defeat at Weber State March 4, the Eagles finished a game behind Montana State (14-4, 21-8) which also lost its final two regular season games.

Senior Hayley Hodgins finished with a game-high 31 points on the night, including a perfect 8-of-8 performance from the free throw line in Pocatello. Tisha Phillips added 15 points and Delaney Hodgins was the only other Eagle in double figures, finishing with 10 points.

Against Weber State, Hayley Hodgins led Eastern with 19 points including a trio of 3-pointers. Both Ashli Payne and Delaney Hodgins finished with double-doubles and with identical 15-point, 10-rebound nights.

The Eagles pulled within four, 78-74, with 20 seconds left, but a costly turnover prevented Eastern from completing its comeback. The loss was EWU’s first to Weber State in 15 meetings dating back to a 73-58 setback in Ogden, Utah, Feb. 14, 2008.