Loren Miller, USU Eastern Sports Information:
PRICE – Utah State Eastern women’s basketball defeated the Colorado Northwest Spartans 86-45 on Saturday in Rangely.
After back to back losses to Salt Lake Community College and Snow College last week, the Eagles were able to snap the losing streak and get to 3-2 in conference play.”It was the beginning of the second round in conference so it was really important to get the win and to start off strong. We’ve been a slump the last two games so it’s really important to get out of that,” said USU Eastern guard Emmery Wagstaff.
The Eagles outscored the Spartans 54-20 in the second and third quarters combined led by Wagstaff’s 16 points.
“All week we focused on sharing the ball and making the right play. Today we struggled at first but I think we found our rhythm and we made the right plays,” said Wagstaff.
Another big reason for the 41-point win was the solid performance by the Eagles bench.
The bench for the Eagles would score 25 points and 21 rebounds on Saturday.
Four of the five starters for USU Eastern would put up at least 11 points and two rebounds.
Freshman forward Morgan Toluono earned her third double-double of the season by scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.”Morgan did a great job of hitting her open shots and being an offensive threat. She works hard for rebounds every game for us,” said USU Eastern Head Coach Chelsey Warburton.
Freshmen guards Lamija Coric and Lainee Jensen performed well as starters for the Eagles on Saturday as well.”Lainee and Lamija both started and played tough minutes for us. They did a great job on both ends,” said Warburton.
As a team the Eagles shot 50% from the field and 36% from three point territory.
USU Eastern out rebounded CNCC 46-21 and only had six turnovers in the game compared to the Spartans 14.
The Eagles’ win on Saturday puts them at third place in the standings with first place Salt Lake Community College Bruins coming to town on Thursday.
Last week the Eagles lost to Salt Lake 72-52 on the road in Taylorsville.
Thursday’s game against the Bruins is the annual Fan Appreciation Night where there will be free admission, free food and prizes for fans.
Fan Appreciation Night against Salt Lake will tip off at 5:30 inside the BDAC.
The game will also be broadcasted on the Scenic West Digital Network at scenicwestnetwork.com.