Huerta leads Eastern women past Idaho State

Kylie Huerta led three players in double figures with 15 points and the Eastern Washington women’s basketball team built a comfortable first-half lead and held on late to beat Idaho State 61-55 in a Big Sky Conference game Saturday at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho.

Lexie Nelson had 13 points and Carrie Ojeda added 11 for the Eagles, who used 58.3 percent shooting in the first half to build a 36-25 lead. The defending champion Bengals rallied in the second half, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Jessa Jeppesen had 11 points and Kara Jenkins added 10 for Idaho State. Eastern Washington improved to 5-5 overall and 2-0 in Big Sky games. Idaho State is 6-4, 1-1.

The Eagles have a week off before hosting Warner Pacific next Saturday. They host Montana on Jan. 3 and Montana State on Jan. 5.