SALEM — The Eastern Oregon University women’s basketball team is returning to La Grande after a productive weekend on the road.

The Mountaineers women’s basketball team defeated Bushnell 87-75 on Friday, January 12, before cruising past Corban 87-55 on Jan. 13. The games moved Eastern Oregon’s season record to 10-4 and 6-4 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

Eastern Oregon 87, Bushnell 75

Out of the gates, the Mountaineers took an early lead off scorching shooting from the field and never looked back. Eastern Oregon shot 14-19 (73.68%) in the first quarter, along with hitting five threes. The Mountaineers built a 33-23 lead after the first frame, behind 10 first-quarter points from Brie Holecek.

The Mountaineers battled out an even second quarter that saw the visitors take a 53-41 lead into halftime. At the break, Kelsie Siegner led Eastern Oregon with 15 points.

Both teams played out an even 34-34 second half, as the Mountaineers managed to hold off any comeback attempts and went on to win 87-75. Eastern Oregon stretched its lead to 17 at the most midway through the third quarter.

Holecek added 11 more points in the second half and finished with a game-high 23 points. Singer, a sophomore, finished with a career-high 21 points. Beverly Slater put together a strong performance, tallying a 13/13 double-double — she also had seven assists. Bayley Brennan added 17 points for the mountaineers.

As a team, Eastern Oregon finished 34-63 (54%) from the field and 12-23 (52.2%) from three-point range. The Mountaineers held a 38-31 advantage in rebounding.

Eastern Oregon 87, Corban 55

Eastern Oregon’s second game of the road trip was far less contested, as the Mountaineers cruised to a 30-point victory. A huge second quarter helped put the game out of reach early and allowed the Mountaineers to take over the game.

Brennan led the Mountaineers to a strong first quarter, scoring 11 points and grabbing two boards. Eastern Oregon shot 9-21 (42.9%) from the field and 6-12 (50%) from three-point range and extended a 24-14 lead after the first frame. A massive 16-6 advantage in rebounding helped set the tone in the paint early on.

Eastern Oregon’s defense clamped Corban in the second quarter, holding the Warriors to 2-12 (16.7%) from the field. The Mountaineers held a 24-8 advantage in the quarter and extended the lead to 48-22 lead at halftime.

The Mountaineers kept the momentum rolling in the second half, holding a 25-15 advantage in the third quarter. Heading into the final frame up 73-35, the Mountaineers cruised through the fourth quarter to win 87-55.

Holecek led Eastern Oregon’s offensive efforts, scoring 16 points. She was one of six Mountaineers to score nine or more points. Siegner (14), Brennan (13), Macie Elliott (11), and Haley Robinett (10) contributed to Eastern Oregon’s offensive efforts.

The Mountaineers dominated the boards, holding a 51-27 advantage in rebounding. Eastern Oregon finished the day 33-73 (45.2%) from the field and 11-27 (40.7%) from three-point range.

Coming off the wins, the Mountaineers will head back to La Grande for a weekend doubleheader against conference foes. Eastern Oregon will host Evergreen State at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 and Northwest University at 3 p.m. on Jan. 20.