EASTERN WASHINGTON BEATS COLGATE 81-58 IN CHENEY, WASH.

(stats)

                CHENEY, WASH. – Janelle Ruen came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points as Eastern Washington coasted to an 81-58 win over Colgate Sunday afternoon at Reese Court.

                Colgate (2-7) dropped its fifth straight game, while Eastern Washington moved to 5-7 on the season.  The Red Raiders conclude their two-game road trip to the Northwest on Tuesday, when they meet Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington.

                Ruen was one of five Eagle players in double figures.  Joining her was Jennifer Paluck with 13, Colleen DeGroot 12, and Allie Bailey and Kelli Pilkington with 10 apiece.  Colgate was led by sophomore Colleen McCaffrey with 14 points.  Ali Hanson and Martha Cook added nine each for the Red Raiders.

                EWU control the contest from the early stages after the Eagles moved ahead 5-4 on Bailey’s layup.  They extended their advantage to 15 points with 3:52 left in the half, before taking a 34-22 lead into the lockerroom.

                In the second half, EWU continued to dominate moving out to a 21-point lead, 56-35, with 10:34 remaining.  The closest the Red Raiders came was 14 points, 64-50, with 6:25 remaining.

                Colgate was outrebounded by the Eagles, 51-36.  McCaffrey was the Red Raiders’ leading  rebounder with eight while Hanson had five.  Pilkington led the Eagles with 11 giving her a double-double.

                Poor shooting continued to hurt Colgate as they shot only 31 percent, while EWS nailed 47 percent.