Eastern women open 2-0

Eastern Washington moved to 2-0 for the first time since the 1996-97 season with an 80-60 women’s basketball victory at UC Irvine on Monday night.

Eastern went on a 22-5 run early in the second half to break open the game. The Eagles, who last went 3-0 in 1984-85, play host to Corban at 7:05 p.m. Friday in their home opener.

The Eagles were led by Katy Baker, a transfer from Southern Utah, with a double-double. The former Lewis and Clark star had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Three other Eagles scored in double figures – Ashley Knight (14), Tara Holgate (10) and Joanna Chadd (10). Sydney Benson added nine rebounds to help Eastern to a 51-37 advantage.

Leah Gonnella’s only three points gave EWU a 33-30 halftime lead. The Eagles stretched it to 59-40 with 11:23 left.

•Gonzaga senior forward Stephanie Hawk is the West Coast Conference Player of the Week after averaging 21 points and 8.5 rebounds in two wins.

Hawk had 18 points and eight rebounds against Utah, an Elite Eight team last season, and 24 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, four blocked shots and four steals against UC Davis.

Men’s basketball

Eastern Washington doesn’t have much time to dwell on its disappointing opening performance, a 90-75 loss at Gonzaga on Friday night. The Eagles play at Nevada-Las Vegas tonight at 7:30.

The Runnin’ Rebels beat Hawaii 73-59 in their opener, holding the Rainbows to 33 percent shooting and forcing 19 turnovers.

Eastern shot poorly and committed numerous turnovers against the Bulldogs.

“Offensive execution and taking care of the basketball” must be improved, EWU coach Mike Burns said. “If you don’t do the little things when you play in an environment like Gonzaga or Las Vegas it’s going to be cause for trouble. If you can, you give yourself a chance to win.”

Eastern’s home opener is Saturday night at 7:05 against Lewis-Clark State.

•University of Idaho has signed two more players to national letters of intent.

Demetrius Crowell, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward at Mesa, Ariz., High School, younger brother of current Vandal Michael Crowell, and Luis Augusto, a 6-8, 235-pound forward who will transfer from Western Oklahoma State College, are expected to enroll at UI next fall.

Crowell was a first-team all-state player who average 21.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots as a junior while shooting 45 percent on 3-pointers. Augusto, originally from Brazil and ranked No. 48 by hoopmasters.com on its list of the top junior college players in the country, average 10.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocked shots as a freshman.

Volleyball

North Idaho College, which won the Region 18A volleyball championship, dominated the postseason awards with five players and coach Bret Taylor singled out for honors.

The Cardinals had three first-team selections, including sophomore outside hitter Cintia Allessi, who was named the Region 18A Player of the Year. Joining her on the first team were sophomores Lauren Stern from Lake City High School, a setter, and Konae Purcell, an outside hitter.

On the second team was freshman outside hitter/middle hitter Amanda Misa, while sophomore middle hitter Daidre Mendenhall from University High School received honorable mention.

Taylor, whose Cardinals are ranked eighth nationally and take a 34-6 record into the national junior college A nationals in West Plains, Mo., next week, was named the Region 18A Coach of the Year.