Eagle Women Headed to 2024 NCAA Basketball Tournament

After a dramatic come-from-behind victory against Northern Arizonza in Wednesday’s Big Sky Tournament championship, EWU’s women’s basketball is headed to the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The win was the first Big Sky Tournament championship for the Eagle women, who made history most fittingly during Women’s History Month.

It’s been 37 years since women’s basketball made their last, and previous, appearance at March Madness.

The team was greeted with a Cheney-style community procession that included a police car, a firetruck and a hoard of fans who turned out to offer cheers and congratulations. The crowd of Eagles included fellow students, as well as faculty and staff.

“Winning this is huge for the program to get the outright title and the tournament title. That was really tough,” Joddie Gleason, EWU’s head coach told GoEags.com. ”We were the No. 1 seed going in, and we’ve had a target on our back all year. I’m so proud of this team, and it’s huge for the program. I’m happy for the players, that they get to experience this.”

Senior forward Jacinta Buckley led the Eagles’ comeback, putting up 21 points with three steals and 11 rebounds.

Buckley was one of five Eagles, including star point guard Jamie Loera, who scored in double figures on the way to the Eagles’ 73-64 win. Lorea was named tournament MVP.

**The Eagles are headed to Corvallis, Oregon to play Oregon State University for the first round of Women’s March Madness. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22. 

The EWU Athletics Ticket Office has tickets available for purchase online. For questions, call 509.359.6059 or email tickets@ewu.edu.