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

Grizzlies end Eagles’ season

The Spokesman-Review

Kevin Criswell scored 25 points as Montana defeated Eastern Washington 73-71 in overtime in the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball semifinals Tuesday night at Flagstaff, Ariz.

Montana, the defending Big Sky tourney champion, blew a 13-point lead in the final 8 minutes, 30 seconds. The second-seeded Grizzlies (22-6) will meet top-seeded Northern Arizona, the tourney host, tonight. The Grizzlies are one win away from reaching the NCAA tournament for the third time since 2002.

Rodney Stuckey, the Big Sky’s Most Valuable Player, led EWU (15-15) with 26 points. He hit two free throws with 20 seconds left to force overtime.

Leading 55-42, Montana appeared to be in control. But the Eagles went on a 10-0 run, with Stuckey scoring four straight baskets.

Women’s basketball

EWU junior guard Joanna Chadd, who had 25 steals and 48 defensive rebounds, was named Big Sky co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior Julie Page was named to the all-conference first team after leading the Eagles with 9.4 points per game and adding 4.3 rebounds per game.

EWU’s Felice Moore (Central Valley High School) and Jamie Chicane were selected honorable mention.

Volleyball

University of Idaho associate head coach Ken Murphy has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Texas-El Paso.

For the past six seasons Murphy has served as the associate head coach at Idaho and was responsible for recruiting and team development with primary responsibility over middle blockers and setters.

Baseball

Jared Prince collected five of Washington State’s season-high 23 hits as the Cougars (14-3) posted a 20-4 non-conference win over visiting Chicago State (1-4).

Golf

Four Washington State men finished in the top 10, while leading the Cougars to second place at the Washington Winter Championships at Washington National Golf Course in Auburn.

Jordan Mason led the way for WSU, carding an 11-over-par 227 for three rounds to place third, three shots behind medalist Shane Prante of Saint Martin’s. Team champion Oregon carded 917 for a seven-shot gap on the Cougars.