The USU Eastern Lady Eagles’ upset bid fell just short as they suffered a 49-43 loss to No. 23 Salt Lake Community College Bruins on the road Saturday afternoon.

Trailing 15-7 at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Eagles outscored Salt Lake in each of the next two. USU Eastern trimmed the deficit to three entering the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback effort.

Sophomore Kinlee Toomer scored a team best 13 points as she connected on 5-of-17 shots. Brooklyn Palmer ended an even 50-percent from field as she too reached double-figures with 10 points. Ella Bradley ended with six points.

Both teams struggled to find consistency on offense as each shot below 30-percent for the game. USU Eastern ended 16-56 from the field and 2-14 from deep, while Salt Lake shot 18-61 total and 3-18 from beyond the perimeter.

Hennessy Luu-Brown led the Bruins with 13 points. Finau Tonga scored 11 off the bench as Salt Lake’s second unit outscored USU Eastern’s 21-4.

Saturday’s loss marks the third straight for the Lady Eagles, dropping its overall record to 9-10. With nine games remaining on the conference slate, the team’s league record now sits at 4-3.

The Lady Eagles will now shift focus to Thursday’s road contest against the Snow College Badgers. The conference tilt will play an important role in the league standings as the two teams have split the season series, each winning on the other’s home court.

The next home game will follow on Saturday, Jan. 29 against Community Christians College at 1:00 p.m..