In a battle between the final two undefeated women’s basketball teams in the Big Sky Conference, the host Eagles of Eastern Washington prevailed on Thursday night.
EWU senior guard Hayley Hodgins shot the lights out, scoring a career-high 34 points as the Eagles shot 50 percent from the field and the arc in an 81-69 victory over Montana State. The win boosts EWU to 6-0 in Big Sky play, 12-6 overall. The loss is Montana State’s first in seven league outings, dropping MSU to 13-5 overall.
MSU senior forward Jasmine Hommes scored 19 points and Montana State shot 52 percent in the second half but had its seven-game winning streak snapped at Reese Court in Cheney.
“Give Eastern Washington a lot of credit,” MSU head coach Tricia Binford said in a press release. “They came out on fire and Hayley (Hodgins) had an incredible night. This is a great test for us to see how we respond, get dialed back in, and reestablish our defensive identity.”
EWU converted 18-of-30 field goals and 6-of-11 from beyond the 3-point arc before halftime. The Eagles took a 44-33 lead to the locker room. MSU responded with a stronger defensive effort after intermission but a 6-of-20 night from deep and a 11-of-18 performance from the free throw line led to Montana State’s first league defeat.
Hommes converted 8-of-11 from the floor and added. team-high six rebounds. But MSU gave up 37 points in the paint. The Eagles also struck from deep, burying 9-of-18 3-pointers, including 6-of-8 by Hodgins, who finished 13-of-19 overall.
Hodgins’ younger sister, Delaney, scored 13 points and dished out five assists. Tisha Phillips also had 13 points and notched four assists as EWU notched 16 dimes on 30 made field goals. Ashli Payne scored seven points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, including four offensive as EWU notched 14 boards and held a 38-30 advantage on the glass.
Hommes led four double-figure scorers. Junior Peyton Ferris scored 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench as MSU’s reserves carved out a 26-6 advantage. MSU notched 16 assists on 26 made baskets, led by Lindsay Stockton’s five dimes. Stockton scored 12 points. Junior Riley Nordgaard scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and finished with three assists.
Montana State plays at Idaho, a 78-61 winner over defending league champion Montana. The Lady Griz are now 4-3 in conference, 11-7 overall. Idaho Is 5-1 in league play, 13-5 overall.
