Eastern Washington women hold onto Big Sky bye with win over Idaho State

Delaney Hodgins scored 20 points and Eastern Washington (16-11, 11-5) shot a blistering 57.1 percent in the fourth quarter to help pick up a critical 61-58 win against Idaho State (16-11, 10-6) in Pocatello on Saturday to complete a Big Sky Conference road sweep this week and keep possession of the Big Sky Conference Tournament’s final bye.

The Eagles hold a one-game lead over Idaho and Idaho State for fourth place entering the final week of the regular season.

Tied at 50 with 3:42 left in the game, Delaney Hodgins scored seven straight points to give Eastern a seven-point lead with 2:16 left to play. Eastern Washington went 10 of 10 from the free-throw line in the fourth to preserve its lead.

Hodgins drilled a team-best four 3-point field goals. Her effort helped the Eagles go 9-of-15 from behind the arc for the game. Ashli Payne joined Hodgins in double digits with 15 points.

The Eagles face Southern Utah and Northern Arizona at home next week.