Eagles women sweep Utah schools

CHENEY – Following a road trip through Utah last week, the Eastern Washington women’s basketball team seems to be living up to pre-season expectations.

The Eagles opened their 2023-24 season with wins over former Big Sky rival Southern Utah 86-77 on Nov. 8 and then the Mountain West’s Utah State, 75-39, Nov. 10.

Eastern was picked to win the regular season title in the Big Sky by coaches in their pre-seasons poll and then second in a vote of the media.

With a dominating second quarter Eastern pulled away from Utah State in Logan, using a 26-13 second quarter that broke a 10-10 first-quarter tie. EWU held Utah State to single-digit scoring in the third and fourth quarters.

Aaliyah Alexander led the team in scoring for the second-straight game with 18 points. Jacinta Buckley added 15 points and Ella Gallatin 10.

“What a weekend for Aaliyah [Alexander] and Jamie [Loera]; they carry us every single day,” Coach Joddie Gleason said.

At Cedar City, Alexander poured in a game-high 27 points, the redshirt-sophomore’s career-high. Jaleesa Lawrence scored 23 points. 

Going to the final quarter, the Eagles trailed 59-55, but a 14-2 run turned things around. Leading 83-75 with under a minute to play, Lawrence provided the dagger with a corner 3-point shot.

Loera and Milly Knowles each scored in double figures, with 15 and 10 points, respectively. 

Eastern played its home opener against Corban University, Nov. 16.

Their next home game is Wednesday, Nov. 29, against Gonzaga.