Balance guides EWU in conference opener

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Kyla Evans led five players in double figures with 14 points and Brianne Ryan had 12 points and 10 rebounds as Eastern Washington defeated Sacramento State 90-85 Thursday in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball opener.

The Eagles (7-6) never trailed in the second half, building a lead as big as 13 points, but the Hornets (3-9) cut the deficit to two with 22 seconds left. Chene Cooper hit two free throws to ice the game for EWU.

Jessica Huntington had 10 assists for EWU, which shot 11 of 23 on 3-pointers while breaking a three-game losing streak. Charday Hunt and Jasmine Cannady of the Hornets combined for 41 points on 15-for-30 shooting from the floor.