Jose Briseno – USU Eastern Assistant SID

Photo courtesy of Dallin Grant

The Utah State Eastern women’s basketball team hosted the Eagles Classic over the weekend. The tournament featured matchups with Eastern Wyoming College and Central Wyoming College.

On Friday, the Eagles opened the tournament against the Eastern Wyoming College Lancers. After Eastern Wyoming took an early 3-4 lead, USU Eastern scored 20-straight points to take a 23-4 lead after the first quarter. The Eagles’ lead reached 38 points late in the second quarter, as they entered the half with a 50-13 lead. Addison Tanner scored 13 to lead the Eagles at the break.

The Eagles continued their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring the Lancers 22-20 behind seven points by Skylie Barker. Alyssa Whittaker scored eight points in the fourth quarter as Eastern won the game, 93-47.

Skylie Barker (17), Tanner Addison (13), and Amiah Timothy (10) finished in double digits to lead the Eagles as 11 different Eagles found the bottom of the net.

The tournament ended with a faceoff against the Central Wyoming Rustlers. This is the second matchup between the teams in the last two weekends. The Rustlers won the first matchup, 51-62.

The two teams battled in the first quarter, but Anaiya Nelson’s six points led Eastern to a 21-19 lead after the first quarter. The Eagles held the lead throughout the second quarter, their largest lead coming at the half, 35-29. Marlee Pieper led the Eagles with eight points at the half.

Eastern’s defense took over in the third quarter, holding the Rustlers to just 6 points. The Eagles took a 50-35 lead into the final period. Despite Central Wyoming’s attempt at a comeback, the Eagles walked away with a 60-55 win.

Marlee Pieper scored 18 points while Anaiya Nelson added 11 to anchor the Eagles on offense.

Next for the Eagles is a road trip to Arizona. The Eagles will play in three cities in three days, starting on Thursday, Nov. 20, in Scottsdale, Arizona.