Preview: Eastern Washington Eagles at Idaho Vandals

CALDWELL, Idaho (Interstat) — The surging Idaho Vandals, one of the nation’s winningest teams, will look to continue their dominant season when they host the Eastern Washington Eagles in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball matchup Monday night at Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.

Idaho (25-5 overall) enters the contest having won 10 consecutive games, last falling on Jan. 17. Their most recent victory was a 55-41 defensive showcase against Northern Colorado on Saturday. The Vandals’ success has been built on balance, but guard Hope Hassmann has been a consistent catalyst. Over her last eight games, Hassmann is averaging 14.5 points and 5.0 assists, including a 25-point, 5-assist performance at Weber State on Feb. 12.

Eastern Washington (14-16) snapped a three-game skid with an emphatic 81-61 win over Northern Arizona on Saturday. The Eagles are led by guard Elyn Bowers, who erupted for 21 points and four assists in that victory. Bowers has scored in double figures in seven of her last eight contests, averaging 14.1 points per game during that stretch.

The Vandals won the season’s first meeting, 69-63, in Cheney on Jan. 3. Idaho’s defense, which has held opponents to 60 points or fewer in four of its last five games, will be tested by an Eagles offense that has scored 80-plus points three times in February.

A victory would solidify Idaho’s top seeding for the upcoming Big Sky tournament, while Eastern Washington seeks a momentum-building road upset to strengthen its conference standing. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST Monday.