BOBCATS, EAGLES SET FOR BIG SKY REMATCH SATURDAY

CHENEY, Wash. (Interstat) — A tightly contested overtime thriller from a month ago sets the stage for a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball rematch Saturday when the Montana State Bobcats visit the Eastern Washington Eagles.

The game tips off at 2:05 p.m. PST at Reese Court.

Montana State (16-5, 7-1 Big Sky) enters with the conference’s best record, riding a three-game winning streak that includes a dominant 91-43 victory over Portland State last Saturday. The Bobcats’ lone conference loss came at Idaho State on Jan. 22.

Eastern Washington (11-11, 4-5) looks to rebound from a 71-62 home loss to Northern Colorado last weekend and climb back to .500 in league play. The Eagles have alternated wins and losses over their past six games.

The teams’ first meeting on Jan. 8 in Bozeman was a classic, with Montana State escaping with a 72-70 overtime victory.

A key matchup will feature two of the league’s top scorers. Montana State is led by guard Taylee Chirrick, who is coming off a career-high 31-point, 12-rebound performance against Portland State. Over her last eight games, Chirrick is averaging 18.4 points.

Eastern Washington counters with guard Elyn Bowers, who has scored 26 points in two of her last three outings, including in the loss to Northern Colorado. Bowers averages a team-high 16.2 points per game in conference play.

The Bobcats have been formidable on both ends, leading the Big Sky in scoring offense (78.2 points per game) and ranking second in scoring defense (57.7 ppg allowed). Their recent wins have been decisive, with an average margin of victory of 33.7 points during their current streak.

The Eagles, who are 6-4 at home this season, will need to contain Montana State’s transition game and find consistent scoring beyond Bowers to pull the upset.

Following this game, Montana State travels to face rival Montana on Feb. 14. Eastern Washington begins a two-game road trip at Idaho State on Feb. 12.