Season slump…
Round three of conference games started off well for the Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah Eagles, but tough away games left them 1-2 the past two weeks. In Eagle territory, the ladies played Colorado Northwestern Community College, then they took their final away games at Salt Lake Community College and Snow College.
Round three of conference games started off well for the Utah State University-College of Eastern Utah Eagles, but tough away games left them 1-2 the past two weeks. In Eagle territory, the ladies played Colorado Northwestern Community College, then they took their final away games at Salt Lake Community College and Snow College.
Against CNCC on Feb. 17, the Lady Eagles started 5-0 on the Spartans. Head Coach Dave Paur said, “I thought we looked very energetic. We were rested and played with confidence.” USU Eastern held a strong 37-25 lead at half time. The Eagles maintained that lead the rest of the second half, ending the game 76-49. Priscila Santos had 33 points with Hailee Parry and Caitlin Nelson 13 and 12. The team had 13 steals and 20 assists.
On Friday Feb. 24, the Lady Eagles battled with the Lady Bruins. “We went into the game with confidence. We played hard and executed the defense.” The score went back and forth until SLCC was up by 1 at half time, 24-25. “In the first half, SLC C was 1 for 2 from the foul line.”
During the second half, things changed for the Eagles, leaving them outscored by only 3, 29-32 and losing the game by 4, 53-57. “In the second half we had an 11-point lead. I thought the game was called different in the second half. Salt Lake had tough defense. Any team could have won in the last few minutes. We couldn’t get a couple shots to drop. They got foul shots that did,” said Paur. The lead of the game changed 15 times. Santos had 21 points with Abbie Kay and Nelson 17 and 10. The team had 14 steals.
Saturday was another rough day for the Lady Eagles. They played Snow on their home court. “I thought for 30 minutes we played a very good game. I thought we ran out of gas with 10 minutes to go,” Paur said. The Eagles were down by one at half time 26-27. The second half ended the game 43-61 Snow victory. “Physically we were drained, we had to play Salt Lake and it as a battle. Snow had beat Colorado by 20. We had an emotional game, losing to North Idaho by only a few points and then to Salt Lake by just a few points were drained. It mentally put us out of the Snow game.” Santos had 16 points and Nelson 15.
The last two home games are on Saturday March 2-3 against College of Southern Idaho and College of North Idaho. The SWAC conference is still up in the air of who will be seated 3 or 5. USU Eastern must get a sweep this weekend at home to help gain a high spot in the standings.
