By Cory McKendrick, USU Eastern Sports Information Contributor:

Henderson, NV – The Utah State University Women’s basketball team sweeps the College of Southern Nevada Holiday tournament, with wins over North Idaho College, Dawson Community College and No. 5 Central Arizona College.

In the first quarter against No. 5 CAC, the score was tied 13-13. USU Eastern took the lead at that point and never looked back. They led at halftime by 10, which proved to be their 2nd largest lead of the night behind an 11-point lead late in the second quarter and maintained their lead through the third quarter. CAC tied the game in the fourth, but the Eagles showed their resiliency and battled to come out on top 76-74.

Four Eagle players were in double figures against CAC, SharneRobati, Emmery Wagstaff, Margaret Otuafi, and Kinlee Toomer with 16, 15, 14 and 10 points respectively. Robati had a double-double in the contest, her second double-double of the holiday tournament.

The Eagles are now 1-1 against top 10 teams. Their previous loss against now No. 9 (Previously No. 10), Western Nebraska Community College and now the win against No. 5 Central Arizona.

USU Eastern had a large margin of victory with a 31-point route of NIC. The Eagles had three players in double-figures, two of which had double-doubles. Robati led all scorers with 15 points and added 11 rebounds for her double-double. Otuafi chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds on her way to a double-double. Harley Carlisle added 9 rebounds, 5 of them being offensive boards. Coach Chelsey Warburton said post game, “Margaret, Harley and Sharne did a great job of dominating the boards for us. Offensive execution was our biggest strength, with 20 assists on the game we were really sharing the ball well.”

Against DCC, Wagstaff led the Eagles in scoring with 19 on 7-16 from the floor. USU E had 18 offensive rebounds in the final stat column, dominating the offensive glass compared to the 5 from DCC. “Tonight, was a great team win for us. We had several players in foul trouble and allowed too many points off turnovers. We were able to hold on down the stretch and thanks to defensive pressure and key free throws” said Warburton of the 70-65 victory over DCC.

The now 15-2 Eagles, riding a 5-game winning streak will be back in action after the New Year, when they begin Scenic West Athletic Conference play. The team will open up SWAC play against the College of Southern Idaho on January 4th in Twin Falls, ID.