Eastern Washington, Idaho will square off in crucial Big Sky women’s basketball game

A year ago, Eastern Washington and Idaho were contenders for the Big Sky Conference title.

Not so this year, as co-leaders Northern Colorado, North Dakota and Montana State are 11-2 and sit two games ahead of EWU in the loss column.

However, Idaho hosts EWU on Saturday in a game that could go a long way in deciding fourth place in the final standings. That would mean a first-round bye in next month’s conference tournament in Reno, Nevada.

EWU (14-10 overall, 9-4 in the Big Sky) and Idaho (13-11, 8-5) are coming off an encouraging weekend against UNC and North Dakota, with each team snagging a win against the co-leaders.

On Sunday, the Eagles got 22 points from junior forward Delaney Hodgins to post a 67-61 win over UNC. Three other players scored in double figures.

“We imposed our will and guarded the way we know we can today,” EWU coach Wendy Schuller said. “The ladies did an amazing job … on the defensive end and played with a lot of effort.”