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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Montana denies EWU Big Sky tourney berth

The stars were out of alignment for the Eastern Washington University women’s basketball team Thursday night.

The Eagles needed a victory over the Montana Grizzlies at Missoula – a feat that hasn’t been achieved since the 1986-87 season – and some help to secure a berth in the Big Sky Conference tournament.

It didn’t happen.

Mandy Morales scored 22 points and had seven rebounds and two other Grizzlies recorded double-doubles as Montana ended Eastern’s tournament hopes with a 72-53 victory Thursday night.

Sarah Ena added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Britney Lohman had 11 points and 13 rebounds for Montana (26-4, 15-1), which hosts Portland State on Saturday with tournament-hosting rights on the line. PSU is also 15-1 in conference play.

Julie Piper had 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Amy Bratvold scored 10 for EWU (10-19, 5-11).

The Eagles conclude their season at Montana State on Saturday.

Men’s basketball

Lower Columbia 69, CC Spokane 43: Marice Tolliver had 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting and also had a team-high seven rebounds and five assists to lead the Red Devils to a victory over the Sasquatch in opening round play at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges tournament in Kennewick.

Alex King added 12 points and Ryan Freeman 11 for Lower Columbia (18-10).

Derek Gianukakis (Republic HS) scored 14 points and had seven rebounds to pace CC Spokane (19-7).

CCS will face Skagit Valley today at 10 p.m. in a loser-out game.

College baseball

The 11th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (7-1) used back-to-back six-run frames to subdue the Gonzaga Bulldogs 14-5 in the opening round of the Palm Springs (Calif.) Classic.

Drew Heid was 2 for 4 with three runs batted in for Gonzaga (6-3).

Women’s soccer

Gonzaga University announced the appointment of Amy Edwards to the position of coach at the school.

Edwards comes to Gonzaga after serving as associate head coach at the University of Missouri.

She is the fifth head coach in Gonzaga history and replaces Shannon Stiles, who retired after 10 seasons at the helm.