CHENEY, Wash. -- Despite the Hornets opening the game on a 19-4 spurt, Eastern Washington used runs of 14-0 in the 1st, and 16-0 in the 2nd, on the way to a 94-79 victory over Sacramento State on Monday morning at Reese Court.

The loss was the second in as many days to Eastern Washington, as the Eagles defeated the Hornets, 68-60, on Sunday. Much like yesterday's loss when the Hornets fell victim to an 18-1 run at the end of the first half, Sacramento State was doomed by another large EWU run today. Actually, two large runs.

Things were looking good when Sacramento State buried six of its first eight shots (including 5-of-6 from distance) to jump out to a 19-4 lead just four minutes into the game. However, the Eagles began to chip away and would later use a 14-0 spurt to take a 36-32 lead with 3:48 left in the first half. Sacramento State would eventually go into the locker room with a 46-43 halftime lead after Bryce Fowler buried a 40-footer at the buzzer.

Both teams traded buckets for a good portion of the second half until a 16-0 EWU run over a four-minute span extended a two-point lead all the way to 80-62 with seven minutes left. That put the game out of reach as Sacramento State would get no closer than 13 points the rest of the way.

The loss dropped the Hornets to 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big Sky. The Eagles have now won 14 of the last 15 matchups between the two teams. Eastern Washington, which is the defending Big Sky champions, improved to 6-6 overall and 5-2 in league play. Sacramento State was supposed to play the Eagles in the Big Sky Tournament quarterfinals a year ago before COVID-19 ended the event prematurely.

Usually a sound defensive and rebounding team, Sacramento State struggled in both departments today. The Eagles shot 63% (38-60) from the field, 52% (11-21) from the 3-point line and owned a commanding 33-23 advantage on the glass. In fact, Eastern Washington shot 21-for-30 (70%) in the second half, which included burying 7-for-10 from distance. Sacramento State shot well - 48% from the field and 44% from the 3-point line - but it was not enough. The Hornets were 11-for-25 from the 3-point line, their most triples of the season. The Eagles also held a sizable advantage in points in the paint (46-26), and had 13 second chance points.

Fowler was impressive for the Hornets, finishing with team highs in points (20), rebounds (7) and assists (5) in 29 minutes. He was 6-for-10 from the field, 3-for-4 from the 3-point line and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Joining him in double figures were three other Hornets, including Brandon Davis who was one point off his career high with 15 points, two assists and two steals. He shot 4-for-8 from the 3-point line and the four made 3-balls were a personal best.

Also scoring in double digits for the Hornets were Ethan Esposito (12 points, 4 rebounds) and Christian Terrell (11 points, 3 steals). Esposito had scored at least 14 points in nine straight games until that streak was snapped today. Both Zach Chappell and William FitzPatrick had seven points, and Elijah McCullough finished with five. Sophomore forward Jalen Townsell, who missed a large chunk of the season with injury, made his Sacramento State debut late in the contest.

Five Eastern Washington players scored in double figures, including Tyler Robertson who had a career-high 20 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 from the 3-point line. Tanner Groves added 17 points and six rebounds, and Jacob Davison 14 points.