Eagles` Three-Point Attack too Much for Vikings

Salem-News.com SPORTS

CHENEY, Wash. - Eastern Washington went 10-of-16 from three-point range, including five from senior guard Joanna Chadd en route to a game-high 19 points as the Eagles defeated Portland State 80-61 in a Big Sky Conference game Thursday evening at Reese Court.

With the win, Eastern Washington (8-15, 3-9 Big Sky) moves to within two games of Portland State (9-16, 5-7 BSC) for the sixth and final spot to the Big Sky Tournament, scheduled for March 8th-10th at the site of the regular-season champion.

Chadd led four Eastern Washington players in double figures.

Sophomore guard Phynique Allen added 15 points off the bench, senior forward Nicole Scott had 14, and sophomore forward Sydney Benson registered a double- double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Eastern Washington shot 50.0 percent from the field, connecting on 31-of-62 shots, and held a 41-35 advantage on the boards.

Portland State was limited to 35.5 percent shooting, hitting on 22-of-62 attempts.

Freshman guard Claire Faucher led the Vikings with 14 points and had eight assists. Sophomore forward Kelsey Kahle scored 12 points.

The Vikings three times held a two-point lead in the first half, the last at 30-28 on a jumper by sophomore guard Stephisha Walton with 4:06 left in the half.

The Eagles would then go on an 11-2 run, capped by a three-pointer by junior guard Ashley Knight to make it 39-32 with 1:19 left. A trey by sophomore guard Jenni Ritter with 19 seconds remaining cut the Eagles’ lead to 39-35 at halftime.

Eastern Washington would use a 21-6 spurt in the opening 8:17 of the second half to build a 60-41 lead with 11:43 to go. The Eagles’ largest lead of the night would be 21 points, 64-43, with 10:36 left.

Portland State will return to action next Thursday when the Vikings visit Sacramento State. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM, at the Hornets Nest.

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