Eagle women still in Big Sky title hunt

After clinching a first-round bye at next week's Big Sky Conference Basketball Tournament, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team wraps up its regular season with road games at Idaho State and Weber State.

Because of an early start to the women's conference tournament -they open Monday, March 7 -Eastern (19-9, 13-3 BSC) was at Idaho State (13-14, 6-10 BSC) a day early, last night, Wednesday, Mar. 2. They face Weber State (18-9, 10-6 BSC) at 6 p.m. Friday, Mar. 4.

The Eagles are guaranteed a top-four seed at next week's league tournament, but hope remains for a Big Sky regular season title and the No. 1 overall seed. EWU sits in second in the conference standings heading into the week, one game back of Montana State. Eastern can clinch the tournament's top seed by going 2-0 this week coupled with MSU going 1-1 in its two games at Northern Colorado and North Dakota. EWU could also afford to drop one of its two contests this week if Montana State goes 0-2.

Last week, the Eagles won an important game against Idaho, 84-70, last Saturday. It marked their second win of the season over their local rival. It was senior day for Eastern, as they gave senior Hayley Hodgins a great send off at Reese Court. The offense played exceptional basketball the entire game, shooting 60 percent from the field and finished with a 26 point fourth quarter that included a 22-8 run. Junior Tisha Phillips led the team in scoring with 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field. Hayley Hodgins scored 18 points.

This will be EWU's first matchup of the season against Idaho State, who is just coming off an 82-80 overtime loss against Montana State Feb. 27. Weber State will also be facing the Eagles for the first time this season. The Wildcats recently lost to Montana on the road, 84-75.