CHENEY, Wash. — Eastern Washington women’s basketball started the new year on a high note, defeating Omaha 96-82. This victory marked a season-high in points for Eastern and also secured a win for the conference in its first match of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge. The team’s record improved to 11-3 for the season, riding a five-game winning streak.
Jaleesa Lawrence had an outstanding performance, matching her career-high with 23 points, closely followed by Jacinta Buckley with 22 points of her own. Head coach Joddie Gleason praised the team’s versatility, emphasizing their ability to adapt to different defensive and matchup situations. Milly Knowles set career-highs with 16 points and 13 rebounds, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor.
Eastern’s offense was dominant from the start, taking an early 10-3 lead in the first quarter. Omaha, however, stayed competitive throughout the game, leading to a tied score of 26-26 after the first quarter. The Eagles continued to battle in the second and third quarters, ultimately securing the win with a 96-82 victory.
The team’s impressive performance was further highlighted by several notable statistics, including scoring 90 points for the second time this season, dominating the paint by out-rebounding Omaha 42 to 26, and recording 24 assists on 37 made field goals. Looking ahead, Eastern Washington will travel to North Dakota for their next game on Saturday, January 6.
Overall, Eastern Washington’s strong showing against Omaha demonstrated their depth, versatility, and ability to adapt to different game situations. The team’s resilience and balanced scoring efforts were key factors in securing their victory and maintaining their winning streak.