Box Score
CHENEY, Wash. --- Portland freshman Ellen Nurmi led three Pilots in double figures with 12 points, but the Eastern Washington Eagles prevailed 68-50 in a non-conference women’s basketball game played on Sunday afternoon at Reese Court. The Eagles (1-2) led the Pilots (1-3) by 14 at the half before holding on for the win.
It’s the second time this season to score in double digits for Nurmi, a wing from Turku, Finland. Sophomore post Cassandra Thompson continued her solid play to begin the season with 10 points and six rebounds. Thompson has also scored in double figures twice this season and both she and Nurmi are second on the team in scoring with an 8.3 per game clip.
Freshman forward Annika Holopainen (10 points) also reached double figures for the Pilots, who shot just 35 percent (18-for-52) on the day.
Thompson had five early points as the Pilots jumped out to an early lead. A traditional three-point play from sophomore Kari Luttinen gave Portland a 9-6 lead four minutes in, but the lead was short-lived as the Eagles responded with 10 unanswered points.
Moments later Nurmi pulled the Pilots within two on a three-pointer, but the Eagles again responded with a run to create some separation. EWU would then enter the locker room leading 44-30.
Nurmi then opened the second half by burying a three-pointer to briefly pull Portland within 11, but the Eagles’ lead would soon swell to 22 points. From there the Pilots never got closer than 15 points.
Lexi Nelson led the Eagles with a game-high 23 points. Nelson hit seven of 12 from the floor to help Eastern Washington shoot 45 percent (26-for-58) as a team. The Eagles also claimed a 36-28 edge in rebounds and got a double-double from Carrie Ojeda, who notched 16 points and 10 boards.
Junior Amy Pupa was Portland’s top rebounder with seven rebounds, while also scoring seven points.
The Pilots next conclude their six-game road swing to open the season with a trip to Seattle, Wash., for a tournament this weekend. On Friday, Portland is set to play tourney host Seattle U at 8 p.m. at the Connolly Center. Portland will then play either Boston College or Sacred Heart on Saturday.
