Despite outstanding performances from Phynique Allen and Nicole Scott, the Eastern Washington University women's basketball team dropped an 84-82 decision to Portland State on Saturday evening (Jan. 13). The visiting Eagles had a chance to win it at the end, but a three-point shot by Ashley Knight did not fall.

Allen scored 26 points in the exciting game, breaking the sophomore's previous career-high point total of 22 in EWU's 103-102 overtime loss to Gonzaga. She also nailed all 10 of her free throws, the most made on 100 percent shooting by an Eagle since Kathleen Nygaard drilled all 10 in a 61-60 win over Portland on Dec. 30, 2001.

Scott came off the bench to hit on 8-of-13 shooting to tally 19 points on the evening. The point total broke her previous high of 14 set two days ago versus Idaho State. The shooting percentage (61.5) is a career high for the freshman. She also led the team in rebounds with eight.

The team as a whole had an outstanding performance from the charity stripe, as well, making 22-of-25 for 88.0 percent.

Also in double figures for the Eagles were Joanna Chadd (14 points) and Brittney Osborn (10), while Sydney Benson contributed eight points to go with seven rebounds.

Eastern Washington (6-11, 1-3 Big Sky Conference) jumped out to an 8-2 lead and increased it to seven at 11-4 before 10 straight Viking points earned PSU (5-12, 1-3 BSC) a 14-11 advantage.

An Osborn three immediately tied up the contest and neither team would go up by more than a trio of points until Portland State pulled away late in the second half. The Vikings scored 11 straight points for a 39-30 lead, but Eastern responded with an 8-1 run to get right back into the game and would trail by just two at the break, 42-40.

After Allen broke a 42-all tie 57 seconds into the second half with a fast break lay-up, Eastern Washington held an advantage for the next 12:46 until the score was tied, 72-72, with 6:17 remaining. The margin would not get larger than three the remainder of the contest as the teams battled down the stretch.

After PSU's Kelsey Kahle made a pair of free throws to increase Portland State's edge to 83-80 with 31 seconds left, Allen scored her final points of the night on a lay-in with 13 seconds to cut the Eagle deficit to one. A made free by Portland State's Stephisha Walton put the final tally on the scoreboard for the night.