Eastern Washington secured a crucial 75-67 win over Sacramento State at Reese Court, with Kiree Huie leading the charge. Huie's 16 points and 6 rebounds were instrumental in the Eagles' victory, which saw them build a strong foundation in the first half. Eastern Washington took a 38-33 lead into halftime, setting the tone for the remainder of the game.
Mark Lavrenov was the standout performer for Sacramento State, scoring 26 points in a valiant effort to keep the Hornets in contention. However, despite Lavrenov's impressive display, Eastern Washington's balanced attack proved too much for the visitors. Tyler Powell and Isaiah Moses chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively, as the Eagles maintained their advantage throughout the second half.
The game unfolded with Eastern Washington asserting its dominance in the early stages. The Eagles' 5-point halftime lead was a reflection of their strong defensive performance, which limited Sacramento State's scoring opportunities. As the second half got underway, Sacramento State pushed hard to close the gap, but Eastern Washington's offense continued to find ways to score. Prophet Johnson's 18 points and 11 rebounds were notable for the Hornets, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to overcome the Eagles' collective effort.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Eastern Washington winning by 6.7 points, and the actual margin of 8 points was remarkably close to the forecast. The predicted score of 83-75 was somewhat higher than the actual outcome, but the prediction's accuracy in terms of the winner and margin was a reflection of the scout's keen insight.
This victory has real consequences for Eastern Washington's resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While not particularly impressive in terms of strength of opponent, the win still adds to the Eagles' overall record and helps to bolster their confidence. For Sacramento State, the loss also falls into Quadrant 4, which may hinder their chances of making a strong case for postseason consideration.
As the season progresses, Eastern Washington want to build on this win and continue to accumulate victories, particularly in conference play. With a current record of 5-15, the Eagles still have a long way to go, but this triumph over Sacramento State is a step in the right direction. The loss drops Sacramento State to 6-13, and the Hornets must regroup and focus on their upcoming games to try and improve their tournament chances. For now, Eastern Washington can take pride in their hard-fought win, which should give them a much-needed boost in momentum.