LA GRANDE, Ore. - In their first matchup since last year's conference championship, the Eastern Oregon women's basketball team faced a tough challenge against Lewis-Clark State. The Warriors, boasting a 10-2 overall record and a 6-1 conference record, prevailed with an 86-73 victory over the Mountaineers at Quinn Coliseum.

Lewis-Clark State showcased a well-rounded performance, shooting 55.9% from the field. They maintained consistency across the four quarters, with an impressive 80.0% field goal percentage in the fourth quarter. The three-point shooting was another strong suit for Lewis-Clark State, hitting 57.1% of their attempts. On the defensive end, they capitalized on turnovers, scoring 12 points off Eastern Oregon's mistakes. Additionally, Lewis-Clark State dominated in the paint with 52 points, showcasing their inside presence.

Eastern Oregon clawed their way back throughout the contest, especially in the third quarter, where they shot an impressive 71.4% from the field and closed the deficit to just two points. The Mounties would go on to shoot just 14.3% from deep in the fourth quarter, finishing the game with a 41.9% field goal percentage and converting 73.3% from the charity stripe. Standout individual performances included Haley Robinett, contributing 21 points and 8 rebounds, and Bayley Brennan, who added 16 points with an impressive 4-of-8 three-point shooting performance. Beverly Slater also came close to triple-double territory, finishing with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.

On the Lewis-Clark State side, Ellie Sander stood out with a remarkable 28-point performance, including four three-pointers. Callie Stevens, the Warriors' leading scorer on the season, also made a significant impact with 16 points. The team's balanced scoring, coupled with effective defense, secured the victory for Lewis-Clark State.

The Mountaineers will return to Quinn Coliseum tomorrow evening to face the Walla Walla Wolves, tipping off at 7 p.m.