EWU goes up against N. Dakota

Published Dec. 9, 2021 3:31 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Eastern Washington (4-5) vs. North Dakota (3-7)

Betty Engelstad Sioux Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Washington and North Dakota look to bounce back from losses. Both teams are coming off of road losses in their last game. North Dakota lost 89-71 to California Baptist on Tuesday, while Eastern Washington fell 60-57 at Colorado on Wednesday.

TEAM LEADERSHIP: North Dakota's Mitchell Sueker has averaged 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while Paul Bruns has put up 11.6 points. For the Eagles, Steele Venters has averaged 19.6 points and 4.4 rebounds while Rylan Bergersen has put up 13 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

CREATING OFFENSE: Venters has had his hand in 41 percent of all Eastern Washington field goals over the last three games. Venters has 24 field goals and six assists in those games.

WINLESS WHEN: North Dakota is 0-5 this year when it scores 71 points or fewer and 3-2 when it scores at least 72.

ASSIST-TO-FG RATIO: The Eagles have recently used assists to create buckets more often than the Fighting Hawks. North Dakota has 37 assists on 61 field goals (60.7 percent) over its previous three matchups while Eastern Washington has assists on 47 of 74 field goals (63.5 percent) during its past three games.

PACE OF PLAY: The upbeat Eastern Washington offense has averaged 74.5 possessions per game, the 30th-most in Division I. North Dakota has operated at a slower pace and is averaging only 67.8 possessions per game (ranked 257th, nationally).

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