PHOENIX, Ariz. – The early-season struggles from the field continued on Saturday night for the No. 14 Eastern Oregon University women's basketball team, as the Mountaineers shot below 30 percent on the way to a 66-58 setback to Arizona Christian (ACU).

EOU nearly forged a 10-point comeback in the final minutes but couldn't get over the hump. Despite the defeat, the Navy and Gold won the rebounding battle, 48-38.

Key Performances
Sophomore guard Payton Parrish netted a career-high 16 points, including three jumpers from downtown. The Mountaineers saw nine points apiece from senior guard Jordan Klebaum and senior guard Larissa Quintana, while junior guard Ashley Knight pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

The Storyline
The Navy and Gold (0-2) opened the game on a 12-5 run capped by a three-pointer from Klebaum. However, the Firestorm assembled a 17-6 burst of their own to take a four-point (22-18) advantage in the second stanza. Back-to-back buckets by junior guard Bailey Schroeder put EOU on top by one (23-22) with 2:52 left in the first half, but ACU ultimately took a three-point (30-27) lead into the locker room.

EOU claimed a five-point (40-35) advantage at the 5:22 mark of the third quarter thanks to a layup by Parrish and a pair of free throws by senior forward Nikki Osborne. But unfortunately for the Mountaineers, that would be their final lead of the contest. EOU missed its final four shots and coughed up six turnovers in the last five minutes of the third frame to fall behind.

After ACU (2-0) stretched its lead to 10 (54-44) in the fourth quarter, EOU assembled an 11-2 burst to pull within one (56-55) with just under four minutes left, but the Firestorm bounced back with an and-one and seven free throws down the stretch to put the Mountaineers away.

Stat of the Game
19 – Turnovers by EOU, 11 of which came in the second half.

Up Next
The Mountaineers return to action on Nov. 13 for an exhibition contest against NCAA Division I opponent Eastern Washington in Cheney, Wash., at 10:30 a.m.