Eagles hunt for 3rd consecutive win
With the basketball season half-over, the Eagles traveled to New Mexico, looking to keep their playoff hopes alive and pick up two much needed road wins against RMAC opponents, New Mexico Highlands University and Western New Mexico University. The Eagles traveled to Las Vegas, New Mexico, first to face off against the New Mexico Highlands University Cowgirls in the first game of a long, tiring weekend for the Eagles.
The Eagles excelled with their regular shots from the field but saw major shooting woes from long range. The Eagles shot a dismal 20 percent from the 3-point line but managed to shoot an impressive 58.6 percent from the field. Maka Daysh, sophomore of Tauranga, New Zealand, led the Eagles in scoring, tallying 29 points in 23 minutes on 12 of 13 shooting from the field. Close behind her was Stephanie Knowles, senior of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who managed to score 28 points in 25 minutes on 12 of 15 shooting from the field and 4 of 5 shooting from the free-throw line. The duo combined for 57 out of the teams total 85 points.
Knowles, who flirted with a triple-double this game, also managed to lead in assists with eight and rebounds with eight, said that she feels like there is more room for improvement and she isn’t satisfied yet.
“I feel more blessed than anything, God has given me the tools so all of the glory goes to him,” Knowles said.
Defensively, The Eagles got stops early in the game which helped them to build a 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter and a 13-point lead at halftime.
Looking to ride the momentum of the win, the Eagles faced off against the Western New Mexico University Mustangs in hopes of pulling a clean sweep of both New Mexico teams and better their chances of making the RMAC playoffs. Offensively, the shooting struggles continued for the Eagles, shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from the 3-point line. However, Daysh led all scorers with 22 points, Graham who was second in scoring with 16, and Emma Block senior of Copenhagen, Denmark, who was relatively quiet the night before, managed to chip in 10 points as well. The trio combined for 48 of the Eagles’ 61 points.
The Eagles only allowed the Mustangs to shoot 33.3 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the 3-point line in the game and only allowed the Mustangs to shoot five free throws. The Eagles shot a total of 27, which proved to be the difference in the game. Daysh led all rebounders with 20, 12 of which were defensive, and also managed to collect two steals.
The Eagles managed to pull away, thanks to their free throw shooting, winning 61-53.
The Eagles are scheduled to play the Westminister College Griffins and the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks this weekend in Chadron at the Chicoine Center. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Friday.