Sports Briefs

Eastern women sweep sets up showdown with North Dakota, Northern Colorado

With a sweep of road games at Sacramento State and Portland State last week, the Eastern Washington women’s basketball team stayed within striking distance of the Big Sky Conference lead with the top teams visiting Reese Court this week.

The Eagles so-called “Big Three,” seniors Ashli Payne and Tisha Phillips, along with junior Delaney Hodgins, combined for 50 points in a 68-62 victory Feb. 4 at Portland State. In the opening contest of the road trip, the same players were again the force behind a 72-65 win at Sac State,...