LA GRANDE, Ore.- The No. 20 ranked Eastern Oregon Women's Basketball team relied on a fast-paced attack to take down the Eagles of Northwest University on Friday night. Quick responses and a focus on transition offense helped the Mountaineers defeat the Eagles 85-67 to move to 12-2 on the year and 7-1 in conference play. With the loss Northwest drops to 3-10 and 1-7 respectively.
 
Northwest actually came out on top in the first quarter with a narrow 18-17 lead. The Mounties spread while Northwest's Kylie Lunday and Grace Harder shouldered the load offensively for the Eagles in the first quarter. A Sydney Zeiler three pointer brought the Mounties within one at the 1:15 mark to wrap up first quarter scoring. Eastern then took control in the second quarter. EOU outscored the Eagles 24-15 thanks to hot shooting and eight second chance points on four offensive rebounds. At the half the Mountaineers lead 41-33.
 
EOU doubled down in the second half putting up 22 in each quarter outscoring the Eagles by four and six respectively. The ten-point second half advantage came thanks to 12 more offensive rebounds and a huge advantage in transition. EOU seemingly responded to every Northwest score with a quick strike of their own. Maya DuChesne did her best to keep the Eagles in it with 12 second-half points, but it wasn't enough. Even on an off night from deep (0-7 from three in second half), the Mounties still worked their way to a 85-67 victory.
 
EOU will finish out the weekend at home tomorrow afternoon taking on Evergreen State College in Quinn Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• EOU made a point to get out in transition scoring 24 fast break points to Northwest's four
• Shaelie Burgess and Beverly Slater held it down inside for EOU with five offensive rebounds each helping the Mounties put up 25 second chance points
• Eastern's depth continues to pay dividends accounting for 36 points to Northwest's 14

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

• EOU
  • Shaelie Burgess: 14 PTS, 6-12 FG, 9 REB, 3 BLK, 2 AST
  • Halle Wright: 10 PTS, 3-6 FG, 8 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
• NWU
  • Maya DuChesne: 17 PTS, 7-14 FG, 1 REB, 1 AST
  • Kylie Lunday: 10 PTS, 4-11 FG, 9 REB, 2 STL, 1 AST, 1 BLK

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