Eagles season concludes in OT heartbreaker

BOISE — The Eastern Washington Eagles (15-18) season came to an end after a competitive 77-79 loss to the Montana State Bobcats in overtime Tuesday, according to a statement by EWU Athletics.   

“I'm really proud of the resilience that this team showed. You know what to expect when you play Montana State. We didn't start the game the way we wanted and got down, but we continued to fight the whole way,” Head Coach Joddie Gleason said. “We had a chance to win at the end of regulation and again in overtime. This is a really good Montana St. team; they made huge plays down the stretch, but we did as well. You just have to tip your hat to them.”  

Eastern trailed the Bobcats by as much as 19 in the game, but rallied in the fourth quarter to take the lead. A clutch three from the Bobcats then forced overtime to keep the game going. After MSU had the lead late in overtime, EWU had an opportunity at the end for a buzzer-beater shot, but missed.  

“We know this type of style that (MSU) plays. We prepare ourselves with teams in preseason that play that same style. We think that helps us get ready for this game,” Gleason said. “We have a plan that we like to use against them. Our players did a nice job despite no rest and limited prep to execute this plan. I just tip my hat to our coaches, staff and players who did a great job with our scout to execute that plan.”  

Elyn Bowers was an offensive force in the game, scoring 23 points while Jaecy Eggers added 19 points in support.   

“Going into the game, we knew Montana St. is really physical, scrappy and they press the whole game. I had to take care of the ball no matter how that is, while trying to break their press,” Bowers said. “I have to keep the team organized and calm them down. I was able to play the way I did today because of my teammates; they helped me get open.”  

The pace of the game was quick to start, as Montana State was up 4-2 after the first minute. Eggers worked inside to tie the game up at four. The Bobcats then launched a 7-0 run to seize the lead. MSU continued to score well and expanded its lead to double digits during the first. EWU trailed 20-10 after the opening quarter, despite shooting 41% from the floor, but struggled with eight turnovers.   

EWU improved its offense in the second quarter, scoring 16 points on 46% shooting. Bowers led the team with seven points in the quarter.   

Despite the improvement, Eastern could not contain the Bobcats scoring. MSU carried over their offensive flow, scoring another 20 points on 50% shooting from the floor. Going into halftime, the Eagles trailed 40-26.   

Eastern came out of the break strong, cutting the lead to seven at the 7:10 mark. Bowers powered the drive with eight-straight points. At the 4:54 point, EWU reduced the lead to five, 44-39, on a pair of free throws from Ella Gallatin.   

The lead was down to three at 3:45, with Eggers converting two free throws. The Bobcats brought the lead back up to eight with 2:26 remaining in the quarter. EWU went to the fourth trailing 51-45, shooting a hot 58%.   

In the fourth, the MSU lead continued to dwindle away and was down to a pair at 7:21. With 3:39 remaining, Gallatin connected from three and gave Eastern a 58-57 lead. The Bobcats countered with their own three and went up by two at 60-58. Bowers then tied the game with a driving layup.   

Eastern continued to make free throws to keep their lead, but MSU was scoring to keep the game one possession. EWU went up 69-66 with 14 seconds remaining.   

According to MSU Athletics, Issy Bunyan found Brianne Bailey at the top of the key, and the freshman dribbled left and passed to Addison Harris. The shot was supposed to be Harris', but she was closely guarded, so she directed the ball back to Bailey.  

“I swung her the ball and yelled, ‘Shoot it!’” Harris said. As the clock ticked under eight seconds, Bailey lofted a high, arcing shot from two steps beyond the three-point line. Harris said from her vantage point near the sideline, the play felt like it was in slow motion.  

“I watched it go up,” Harris said, “and, like, touch the ceiling. I'm pretty sure I saw God reach down and touch the ball, it touched heaven and went straight through (the hoop), perfect swish. Never seen anything better.”  

The Eagles took the lead to begin overtime, with Caitie Gingras draining an early three. A tip-in layup from Eggers kept EWU in front at 3:45. The Bobcats then scored six-straight points to tie and take the lead in the game. Gallatin kept the Eagles in the game with a layup and the deficit was one at 77-76 and 11 seconds remaining.   

MSU made 1-of-2 free throws and Bowers converted 1-of-2 on EWU's next possession to keep pace. After another Bobcat free throw, Eastern organized a final shot, going inside to Eggers after breaking the MSU press. The layup from Eggers just missed and the Bobcats escaped with the win.    

BOX SCORE:   

EWU: 10-16-19-24-8: 77  
MSU: 20-20-11-18-10: 79 

    Brianne Bailey (21) from Montana State shoots a game tying shot over an Eagles defender Tuesday.