Eastern Washington Eagles Defeat Idaho State Bengals 88-75 Behind Isaiah Moses' 19 Points

The Eastern Washington Eagles pulled off a stunning 13-point upset over the Idaho State Bengals, winning 88-75. This victory is significant, considering Idaho State was ranked 28 spots higher in the NET rankings, with a ranking of 214 compared to Eastern Washington's 242. The Eagles' 88 points were fueled by 45 points in the first period, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Isaiah Moses led the charge with 19 points and 5 assists, while Idaho State's Connor Hollenbeck had 16 points and 8 rebounds.

The game unfolded with Eastern Washington taking an early lead, scoring 45 points in the first period to Idaho State's 38. The Eagles maintained their momentum in the second period, scoring 43 points to the Bengals' 37. A key factor in the game was Eastern Washington's ability to capitalize on Idaho State's mistakes, scoring 15 points off turnovers. The Bengals struggled to close the gap, with their largest lead being 2 points in the first period. Eastern Washington's largest lead was 15 points, which they achieved with 5 minutes remaining in the game. The Eagles' 88 points were the most they have scored in a game this season, and their 13-point margin of victory was their largest in 10 games.

Isaiah Moses was the top performer for the Eastern Washington Eagles, scoring 19 points and dishing out 5 assists. He was followed closely by Kiree Huie and Alton Hamilton IV, who each scored 18 points. For the Idaho State Bengals, Connor Hollenbeck led the way with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Jamison Guerra and Caleb Van De Griend added 14 and 13 points, respectively. The Eagles' balanced attack was a key factor in their victory, with three players scoring 18 or more points. In contrast, the Bengals relied heavily on Hollenbeck, who accounted for 21% of their total points.

The Eastern Washington Eagles outshot the Idaho State Bengals 51.7% to 44.1% from the field, making 31 of 60 shots. They also outrebounded the Bengals 35-32, with 12 offensive rebounds. The Eagles committed 12 turnovers, while the Bengals had 15. Idaho State struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 of 25 three-point attempts, while Eastern Washington made 9 of 23. The Eagles' 88 points were the result of 43.8% shooting from three-point range and 55.6% shooting from two-point range.

The CHD Scout predicted an Eastern Washington victory by 4 points, with a predicted score of 79-75. The actual result was an 88-75 win for the Eagles, meaning the prediction was correct, but the margin was off by 9 points. The model correctly identified Eastern Washington as the stronger team, despite their lower NET ranking. The Eagles' 13-point margin of victory was a surprise, given their recent performance. Over their last 5 games, Eastern Washington had averaged a margin of -2.4 points, while Idaho State had averaged a margin of +1.2 points.

This game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, with Idaho State entering the game with a NET ranking of 214 and Eastern Washington at 242. The loss drops Idaho State's record to 10-16, while the win improves Eastern Washington's record to 8-17. The Eagles' victory will likely have a positive impact on their NET ranking, potentially moving them up 10-15 spots. In contrast, the Bengals' loss will likely drop them 5-10 spots in the rankings. The game was a crucial one for both teams, as they battle for positioning in their respective conferences.

The Eastern Washington Eagles will face off against the Portland State Vikings on February 17, while the Idaho State Bengals will take on the Weber State Wildcats on February 15. Both games matters for the teams' conference standings and tournament hopes. The Eagles want to build on their momentum from this upset victory, while the Bengals will aim to bounce back from the disappointing loss.