Cats Suffer First Big Sky Conference Loss

Thursday, January 21

Cheney, WA

7 p.m.

Montana State University

13-5 (6-1BSC)

Eastern Washington

12-6 (6-0BSC)

Montana State

Eastern Washington

Photo by: Sepp Jannotta

1/21/2016 10:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Tom Schulz

Eastern Washington senior Hayley Hodgins recorded a career-high 34 points, including a six-of-eight effort from three-point range as the Eagles notched an 81-69 win over Montana State, Thursday night in a battle between the Big Sky Conference's two unbeaten teams.

Eastern Washington (12-6, 6-0) used a 16-2 run midway through the second quarter and established a 44-33 advantage at intermission as the Eagles shot 60 percent from the field, including 54 percent from beyond the arc.

Montana State (13-5, 6-1) senior Jasmine Hommes hit a three-pointer to open the third quarter as MSU pulled to within nine points, but EWU responded with an 11-1 run to take its largest lead of the night at 56-37 at the 5:22 mark.

The Bobcats were able to cut the deficit to 66-57 on a Hommes jumper with 6:23 remaining, but would get no closer.

"Give Eastern Washington a lot of credit," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "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."

Hommes led four Bobcats in double-figures with 19 points on eight-of-11 from the floor. Also in double-digits were Peyton Ferris 14, Lindsay Stockton 12 and Riley Nordgaard 10. Stockton dished out a team-high five assists.

MSU finished the game shooting 46 percent from the field, including 52 percent in the second half. Eastern Washington held a 38-30 advantage under the boards. The Bobcats were led under the glass by Hommes with six rebounds.

Montana State will play at Idaho on Saturday afternoon.