Women split against Colorado opponents
Last weekend the Eagles started off the New Year against RMAC opponents Western Colorado State University and Colorado State University- Pueblo. The Eagles had high hopes of picking up two key wins against the Mountaineers and the ThunderWolves and putting themselves in the playoff race.
The Eagles first faced off with the Mountaineers and managed to pull out a lopsided win thanks to the leadership and scoring of Emma Block, senior of Copenhagen, Denmark. Block led the Eagles with 21 total points for the evening on 7 of13 shooting from the field, 3 of 7 shooting from the three point line, and 4-5 shooting from the free throw line. Another key to the Eagles victory was Maka Daysh, sophomore of Tauranga, New Zealand, who not only tallied 12 points but also managed to dish out five assists in her 25 minutes of play that night.
Defensively, the Eagles managed to hold the Mountaineers to 50 points during the four quarter game on Saturday evening. The Defense was anchored by Daysh who collected a total of 13 rebounds, eight of which were defensive, Erin Graham junior of DeLand, Florida, and Stephanie Knowles senior of Colorado Springs, Colorado, also pulled down five rebounds apiece in a successful effort to limit second chance shots. Knowles also managed to collect seven steals in the game as well as scoring 10 points for the Eagles. The Eagles would continue their hot shooting and good defense and eventually go on to win against the Mountaineers 69-50.
The following evening the Eagles faced off against Colorado State University-Pueblo, wanting to keep the momentum going with another conference win. The Eagles who usually are a good shooting team had an uncharacteristically bad shooting night against the Thunderwolves but still managed to stay in striking distance for the majority of the game. The Eagles offense was once again led by Block who this time tallied a total of 13 points on 5 of 16 shooting from the field and 3 of 9 shooting from the three point line. Graham was second leading scorer of the night for the Eagles collecting a total of 11 points on 4 of 9 shooting from the field and 3 of 5 from the free throw line. Graham also managed to dish out four assists in an effort to get other Eagle players involved against the ThunderWolves that night.
Defensively, the Eagles allowed the Thunderwolves to score 71 points, and despite losing the Eagles were led defensively by Daysh who had a total of 10 rebounds that evening seven of which were defensive rebounds. Graham also managed to pull down nine rebounds that evening the duo combined for 19 out of the Eagles 29 rebounds. Knowles played a major role in keeping the game as close collecting four blocks to go along with her two steals. Although the Eagles did play well on defense against the ThunderWolves, they allowed themselves to be outscored 18-9 in the fourth quarter which would led the ThunderWolves on to a win, 71-60.