Womens basketball dominates CNCC
They finished out the regular season 22-8 which is good for second place headed into the conference tournament. The Eagles will open the conference tournament on Mar. 9, in Twin Falls, against Salt Lake Community College.
Utah State University Eastern took on Colorado Northwestern in a conference matchup. USUE is undefeated in matchups against the Spartans coming into the game.
The Lady Eagles used a hot start from Brinlee McRae, who scored eight of the 18 first quarter points for the Eagles, to get out to a 4 point lead after the first. The Spartans kept the game close in the second quarter leaving the Eagles with a 40-35 lead going into the half. The second half was a different story for both teams as the Eagles ran away with it. In the third quarter, the Eagles outscored the Spartans 28-9. The Eagles followed up their strong third quarter with a strong fourth outscoring them 18-11 leading to a 86-55 Eagles win.
Statistically the Eagles dominated in every category. They had 24 assists compared to 10 and outrebounded the Spartans an incredible 86-22. The Eagles dominant play on the glass led to 32 second chance points.
Individually for USUE, McRae led the team with 24 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds. Maci Wall also had a great game with 16 points and seven rebounds. Brooklyn Palmer led with 14 rebounds, Gaby Goo also had double digit rebounds with 11. Janel Blazzard led the team in assists with five.
Next for the Eagles was a tough matchup against a good Salt Lake Community College who has previously been ranked this season. After taking the two matchups earlier in the year by a combined 7 points the Eagles look to sweep the Bruins.
The first quarter was close but the Bruins got out to a slim 19-17 lead. They added on heading into the half up 37-30. The Eagles tried to fight back but ultimately lost 68-57 but stayed ahead of the Bruins by two games in the conference standings.
The Eagles had 20 turnovers that the Bruins took advantage of scoring, 22 points off of those turnovers. Statistically for the Eagles, Palmer put up 12 points followed by McRae’s 11. McRae also had 11 rebounds, notching another double-double for her on the season. McRae and Hadley Humphreys had 4 assists each to lead the team.
Their next match up took the Eagles to Las Vegas, Nevada to take on the College of Southern Nevada. The Eagles won both of their previous matchups. The Eagles got out to a hot start taking a quick 17-10 lead after the first quarter. CSN fought back in the second to cut their deficit down to four heading into the half. USUE continued their trend of strong second halves this year outsourcing CSN 42-28 giving them the 79-61 win. That win gives USU Eastern another season sweep on the year.
USUE had four players scoring in double digits, Palmer had 19, Humphreys had 13, Goo had 12 and Baylee Ueligitone had 15. Ueligitone also had six rebounds and five steals in her great performance. Palmer and Wall led the team with four assists each.
USUE finished the regular season with two home games against Community Christian. The first game was a blow out from the start that ended in a 80-48 win for USUE. Four players scored in double digits. McRae led the way with 19 followed by Palmer and Kacelyn Toomer with 11 and Blazzard had 10 she also led with six assists. Palmer led the team with 15 rebounds.
Game two went the same way for USUE winning another blowout 96-43. Palmer led with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Blizzard had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Toomer had 15 points and McRae had 12.
They finished out the regular season 22-8 which is good for second place headed into the conference tournament. The Eagles will open the conference tournament on Mar. 9, in Twin Falls, against Salt Lake Community College.
