Eagles suffer loss ahead of conference tourney
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 3 weeks AGO
Kiree Huie (15) drives to the paint against an Idaho defender during their game Monday. The Eastern Washington mens team lost to the Vandals 85-81 in a competitive battle to close the regular season.
COURTESY PHOTO/BRAEDEN HARLOW/EWU ATHLETICS
CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (13-18) were white hot coming into their game against the Vandals on an eight-game win streak. However, their momentum ran out at home as Idaho outscored the Eagles 85-81 on Monday.
“They just had an edge to them tonight,” Associate Head Coach Ryan Lundgren said. “They were the tougher team tonight, bottom line. I mean, they just wanted that game more than us."
After a competitive first half, the Eagles trailed 34-30, by the end of the game, that proved to be the difference maker. In the second half, both teams elevated their level of play.
According to a statement by EWU Athletics, the Eagles continued to battle, cutting into the lead behind free throws from Isaiah Moses and a second-chance three from Alton Hamilton IV that gave Eastern Washington a brief 63-62 advantage with under six minutes to play. Anderson was aggressive late, attacking the rim and scoring 15 in the second half.
“He's a competitor. He made some big plays. He got to the rim,” Lundgren said. “Alton made some big finishes. And obviously, Isaiah stepped up, made free throws like he normally does. So, we did some good things, but it really came down to lack of defensive effort and rebounding the ball. We just didn't get it done.”
Idaho answered with key baskets down the stretch to seal the four-point decision. According to Idaho Athletics, multiple players stepped up big for them down the stretch. Jackson Rasmussen led the team with 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Not far behind him was Biko Johnson with 13 points and four assists.
Despite the loss, Lundgren sees it as an opportunity for the team to reset ahead of the conference tournament.
“Hopefully we can use this as something to recalibrate us because we didn't play with the same edge that we have the last month,” he said. “It's almost like we got up eight-nothing and expected, here we go again. We just didn't do the things you need to do to have a big win.”
With a week before its next game, Eastern Washington will regroup before traveling to Boise for the conference tournament where they will play as the third seed against Weber State Monday at 7 p.m.
“We'll watch film, get some shots up, take a day off and have a couple good practices,” Lundgren said. “It's truly win or go home. We've got to turn the page. We're zero and zero now.”
BOX SCORE:
UI: 34-51: 85
EWU: 30-51: 81
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