The Northern Arizona and the Eastern Washington Eagles will meet in Boise to face off in the second round of the Big Sky Championship at the Idaho Central Center on ESPN+.
Northern Arizona moved to 10-22 after defeating Idaho in the first round. The Lumberjacks pulled away after the break to end the Vandals season with an 11-point win, 87-76. NAU is scoring 73.1 points per game, while allowing 74.3 ppg, and shooting 43.4% from the floor.
Northern Arizona kept their season alive by dispatching Idaho, and they’ll look to upset EWU this Sunday. Junior guard Jalen Cone has scored 25 points or more in each of the last three games, and he leads NAU in scoring at 17.6 ppg. Sophomore forward Carson Towt double-doubled in the first round win over the Vandals, and he leads the team in rebounding (7.8), while scoring 9.8 ppg.
Eastern Washington dropped to 22-9 following a home loss to Montana State. The Eagles nearly stormed back in the second half but ended up falling two points short to the Bobcats, 79-74. EWU is scoring 77.0 points per game, while allowing 71.1 ppg, and shooting 49.1% from the floor.
Eastern Washington ended their regular season with two straight losses, and they’ll look to avoid that skid carrying into the conference tournament here. Sophomore swingman Steele Venters scored a team-high 23 points in the finale against Montana State, and he leads EWU in scoring at 15.1 ppg. Senior forward Angelo Allegri posted a 22-point double-double in the recent win over Northern Colorado, and he’s second on the team in scoring (13.5) and rebounding (5.5).
NAU is 18-12 against the spread this season, with a 18-12 over/under record. EWU is 18-11-1 ATS this year, with a 18-12 o/u record.
Northern Arizona’s days are numbered as they will now have to face an angry Eastern Washington team who had senior night spoiled by Montana State. The Eagles captured another regular season conference title, and they should come out sharp here. Very little chance for an upset here, and it should come down to a matter of how much for the Eagles. Take EWU’s spread for this contest Sunday.