EWU women stunned in Big Sky semis

CHENEY - Erica Perry scored 22 points as No. 6 seed Montana State stunned top-seeded Eastern Washington 65-57 in the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference women's basketball tournament Friday night before 2,117 at Reese Court.

Montana State (18-13) will take on No. 5 seed Portland State today at 2 p.m. in the conference title game. The lower-seeded teams have won all four tournament games thus far.

"Obviously we are very disappointed in the outcome," EWU coach Wendy Schuller said. "It was two teams playing as hard as they possibly could. In the end, Montana State hit some big shots in the last two or three minutes and we didn't."

The season is not over for Eastern (19-11), though, as regular-season conference winners are given an automatic bid in the WNIT if they are not selected for the NCAA tournament. The Women's National Invitation Tournament will release its full 64-team field for the Postseason WNIT late Monday night via womensnit.com.

The field will include 31 teams that earn automatic berths, and 33 teams that are chosen at-large. The bracket will be released a few hours following the NCAA tournament selection, which finishes its announcement at 5 p.m. on Monday.

The Postseason WNIT will open with first-round games March 17-19. All games are hosted by participating schools.

"It's a good chance to go out and play another game in the postseason - we haven't done that in a while," EWU forward Julie Piper said. "We want to win a game there and end the season on a high note. I don't want it to end on this note and I am still glad we still have that chance. We will play better basketball."

The Eagles were without Piper, the Big Sky MVP. for the last 18 minutes of the first half as she picked up two quick fouls. Piper then played every minute of the second half and finished with eight points and two rebounds.

The Eagles were also without starter Kyla Evans, who sat out with a back injury.