Cheney, Wash. - The Omaha Mavericks fall in game one of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge to the Eastern Washington Eagles, 96-82.
The team falls to 4-10 overall on the season.
Leaders For Omaha
Scoring over a third of tonight's points and leading the Mavericks was
Aaliyah Stanley with 32. Stanley went 6-of-6 on three-point attempts, 11-of-17 on the field, and 4-of-5 from the line. Also in double-digits tonight was
Grace Cave with 15 (5-of-17) and
Polina Nikulochkina (4-of-7). Leading in rebounds was
Deanay Watson with 10. Cave and
Kennedi Grant each put notched four assists. Additionally, Grant made one block and one steal.
Leaders for Eastern Washington
Tallying a team-high 23 points was Jaleesa Lawrence and just behind her with 22 points was Jacinta Buckley. Buckley (22-11) and Milly Knowles (16-13) each notched double-doubles tonight off points and rebounds. Jamie Loera had a team-high seven assists.
Team Stats
Omaha was out-shot on the field 45.2% (28-of-62) to EWU's 52.9% (37-of-70). Behind the arc, the Mavericks led 56.3% (9-of-16) to 35.% (11-of-31). On the charity stripe, the Mavericks were also out-shot 77.3% (17-of-22) to 91.7% (11-of-12).
Inside the First Quarter
The Mavericks got off to a slow start, falling behind by five early on. It wasn't until
Katie Keitges sank a three at 7:41 that the Mavericks would get on the board. The Mavericks crawled back from the deficit and took the lead at 2:19 after a fast-break layup by
Morgann Gardner. The teams went back and forth with the lead but Cave tied it up at the end of the first with a pair of free throws.
After getting off to an early five-point lead, they continued to hold it. Get as much as a seven-point lead three times before giving it up to the Mavericks. Some of their trouble came from the three turnovers made and six fouls. After taking a foul and sending Cave to the line, the first quarter ended 26-26.
Inside the Second Quarter
Cave got it started in the second with a three-pointer at 9:45 for a three-point lead. The Mavericks had a strong quarter getting as much as a six-point lead at 3:36 after a fast break layup in the paint by Gardner. Stanley accounted for eight of the 19 points in the quarter after going 3-of-5.
After falling behind by six, the Eagles turned up the intensity. Eastern went on an eight-point scoring streak starting with two back-to-back threes, followed by a layup. After taking the lead back, they only allowed two additional baskets to lead at the half 48-45.
Inside the Third Quarter
The Mavericks struggled offensively in the third. From the field, they only made 5-of-13 (38.5%) and 8-of-11 from the line. Though making three turnovers, the Mavericks did steal two of the three turnovers by the Eagles. Omaha only took four fouls, all personal to not allow the Eagles any shots from the charity stripe. Grant had a block against a layup attempt at 6:03.
The Eagles had another eight-point scoring streak to extend their lead. Their largest lead came at 2:08 after Loera sank a three, putting up by 13. Though up by 13 they did give up five straight points at the end of the third to the Mavericks to end the quarter 72-64.
Inside the Fourth Quarter
Stanley scored the first of the final quarter to make the deficit only six. Stanley didn't miss a single bucket in the fourth going 4-of-4 on the field, 2-of-2 behind the arc, and 2-of-2 on the line, carrying the quarter with 12 of the 18 points. After Watson made a steal off a bad pass she made her way up the court for a layup.
The Eagles played their best defense in the fourth only allowing 18 points. Eastern significantly out-rebounded Omaha 11-5. They found success on the offensive side of the ball shooting 60% (9-of-15) from the field. They climbed to their highest lead after a three-pointer by Lawrence. A final layup at 0:06 sealed the game 96-82.
Next Up
The Omaha Mavericks will host Montana on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. for the final game of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge.
