Box Score Embry-Riddle spread out their scoring and the balanced attack led the Eagles to a 63-56 win in Gilbert, Ariz. over the Montana State-Northern Lights at the Cactus Classic on Tuesday evening.
ERAU fell behind early in the first quarter but three, three point baskets, two from Mehgan Strickler (Glendale, Ariz.) and one from Aryana Gonzales (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) put ERAU up 15-10 for the first time since their really early 2-0 lead. After the Lights scored Kate McBride (Atlanta, Ga.) added another Eagle three and at the end of the first quarter Embry-Riddle led 18-13.
There were only 18 points scored total in the second quarter and it started with MSUN scoring a bucket first. Liz Behan (St. Peters, Mo.) followed their basket with a layup to make the score 20-15 with 8:23 until halftime. ERAU didn't score again until there was just 1:48 to go in the half when Nicole Evenson (Bemidji, Minn.) made a three pointer. At the half ERAU was still up one as they held onto a 25-24 lead. ERAU made six three point shots in the first half as they shot 42.9%.
Gonzales scored five quick points to start the third quarter as the Eagles jumped back out by five points with 7:34 on the clock left in the 3rd quarter. Neither team would score again until there was 5:14 left and Zakiirah King (Chandler, Ariz.) made two free throws to add to the Embry-Riddle lead. ERAU extended their lead to as many as eight but at the end of quarter three the score was 41-35 Eagles.
Behan started the fourth quarter strong with two rebounds, a layup, a steal, and an assist as Embry-Riddle went up by nine points with 8:56 left in the game. The Lights quickly cut the Eagle lead to 5 at 46-41 and forced ERAU to call a timeout with 6:55 to go. Out of the timeout, Embry-Riddle went up by as many as ten but once again MSUN started a little scoring run of their own to cut into the lead. With just 1:30 left, Susie Reynoso (Escondido, Calif.) made two free throws and then a layup to bring the Eagle lead to eight.
Gonzales finished the night with 14 points, Reynoso with 11, King had nine, and Strickler added eight for the Eagles. Behan had a team high 11 rebounds and Strickler had eight.
Embry-Riddle will get right back to the court tomorrow as they play their final game in the Cactus Classic at 4pm against Montana Tech at Chandler Gilbert.
