Sports Briefs

BASKETBALL

Huskies’ second-half surge secures win

SEATTLE — Eastern Washington stayed with the University of Washington until just after halftime when the Huskies went on a 13-2 run that sealed an 87-69 non-conference basketball victory, Dec. 10 at Alaska Airlines Arena.

The Eagles kept the Big-10 Conference Huskies within reach throughout the entire first half as the lead never got into double-digits. But starting at the 18 minute, 5 second mark of the second half Washington slowly (7-3) put the game out of reach.

“We are frustrated because we are getting better, but we aren’t getting rewarded for it,” said head coach Dan Monson. “I think defensively, we are closer than it looks, we had 12 steals.”

The Eagles (2-9) were led by Andrew Cook’s 18 points, followed by Nic McClain with 15 and Emmett Marquardt with 10.

After a busy schedule that included eight games in November Eastern had four contests, including a Dec. 21 home game with Lincoln University out of Pennsylvania. They face Eastern Oregon, Dec. 30, also at Reese Court before opening Big Sky play, Jan. 2 vs. Montana and Jan. 4 against Montana State, both also at home.

“There’s a lot of positives I told our guys,” Monson said. “Our season is measured by how we do in the Big Sky and how we do in the tournament.”

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EWU ends losing streak against Warner Pacific

CHENEY — Eastern Washington’s women ended a three-game losing streak Dec. 16 with a 98-45 win at Reese Court over Warner Pacific University.

The win also ended a span of games where the Eagles lost seven of eight contests, including a 79-50 non-conference loss to Gonzaga, Dec. 14 in Spokane.

At home vs. the NAIA school from Portland the Eagles used a 12-0 run in the first quarter to separate from the Knights and led 52-20 at halftime.

Emily McElmurry scored a new career-best with 16 points while Rachel Harvey added another 15 also a collegiate high. Kourtney Grossman (12), Alexis Pettis (11) and Peyton Howard (10) were other Eagles in double-figures.

Earlier in a game between two struggling programs, Gonzaga (5-6) used a 26-14 third-quarter advantage to springboard them past Eastern (3-8) which trailed just 32-27 at halftime. The Bulldogs shot 60% from the field in that quarter.

Gonzaga is the defending West Coast Conference champions while Eastern claimed the 2023-24 Big Sky title.

“Our inability to make layups and make free throws was the biggest issue,” head coach Joddie Gleason explained.

Howard led the Eagles with 15 points and was one of three players scoring double figures that also included Jaecy Eggers and Alexis Pettis each with 10 points.

Eastern completes its non-conference slate on Friday, Dec. 20, hosting UC Santa Barbara at 6 p.m. at Reese Court.

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FOOTBALL

Ganter Jr. named to All-Freshman Team

CHICAGO, Ill. — After leading Eastern Washington in tackles this season from the safety spot, Derek Ganter Jr. was named to the FCS Football Central 2024 Freshman All-American Team. The award is Ganter Jr.’s second so far this offseason, following a Big Sky All-Conference second team selection last month.

In the 2024 season, Ganter Jr. was the Eagles’ top tackler, recording 95 total and 55 solo. He was ranked fifth in the conference and solo tackles ranked third. With 7.9 tackles per game, Ganter Jr. ranked 52nd in the FCS.

Additionally, Ganter Jr. recorded four pass breakups, third-most on EWU. The Pasadena, Calif. native recorded his first career sack and forced fumble against No. 6 UC Davis (10/19), along with tallying 11 tackles in the game.

Earning a spot on the All-Freshman team is not the first recognition Ganter Jr. has received. He was also a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award.