By: Loren Miller, Utah State Eastern Sports Information
PRICE – Utah State Eastern women’s basketball defeated the Otero Rattlers 75-65 on Saturday in La Junta, Colorado.
The Eagles opened the game 9-3 before the Rattlers came back to make it a 14-14 score at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams continued to battle in the second quarter with the Eagles taking a 32-31 halftime lead.
In the third quarter the Eagles offense exploded for 24 points and outscored the Rattlers by eight points thanks to adjustments made by Eagles’ Head Coach Chelsey Warburton.
“At halftime we made some offensive adjustments which opened up scoring opportunities. The team also did a great job at breaking the press and scoring layups off of it,” said Warburton.
After their big third quarter, USU Eastern would hold on to their lead with defense said freshman guard Amiperia Tia
“We had to force the other team to shoot harder shots and not let them score easy buckets down low, we also executed our plays and got open shots and drives,” said Tia.
The Eagles forced 11 turnovers on Saturday and scored 14 points off those turnovers to help hold a lead over the Rattlers.
“The team played sharp, followed scout and did not allow Otero to go on long scoring runs on their home court,” said Waburton.
Tia led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points along with a team-high seven assists and six rebounds.
She also was a major presence on the defensive end said Waburton.
“Ami was the leader for us today, she made plays on both ends and kept her team engaged. It is hard to press us when she is in the game,” said Waburton.
Sophomore forwards Alyssa Crumley and Abby Butler each scored in double-figures as well on Saturday, Crumley with 14 points and Butler with 10 points.
“Abby and Alyssa have had huge impact on our season, being great leaders by voice and even more by action. They help us freshman learn more about the game and each other everyday,” said Tia.
Saturday’s win over Otero gives the Eagles their third straight season with double digit wins.
The Eagles will have a few weeks off of games before heading to Las Vegas for the CSN Tournament at the end of the month.
They will open their Scenic West Athletic Conference schedule on January 5 at home against Colorado Northwest.