CHENEY, Wash. - Northern Arizona women's basketball lost in the closing minutes at Eastern Washington, 59-54, on Thursday at Reese Court.  The women slipped to 4-8 in the Big Sky Conference with the defeat.

NAU (9-16, 4-8 BSC) shot under 30 percent in the first half but came into the break tied with Eastern Washington, 24-24.  The Lumberjacks limited the Eagles to 32 percent shooting from the field in the opening 20 minutes.

The Lumberjacks were down by as many as 11 points in the second half but came back behind an 18-4 run taking a 47-44 lead with seven minutes left.

NAU extended its lead to four points with just under six minutes remaining but a three point shot from Chene Cooper cut the NAU lead to one point.  The women pushed the margin back to four points with a layup from Trinidee Trice and once more with free throws from Trice. 

The Lumberjacks held a 54-50 edge with under two minutes left.

Eastern Washington scored two consecutive baskets with a jumper from Julie Piper and another three-point basket from Cooper.   She scored six of the final seven points for the Eagles to pull out the come from behind win.

Amy Patton led NAU with 15 points and six rebounds off the bench.  Trice scored 10 points and finished as the only other Lumberjack in double digits.  Cooper scored a game-high 23 points while Piper chipped in 16 rounding out the Eagles' top scorers.

NAU plays at Portland State on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

DID YOU KNOW…Northern Arizona finished third in the Sterling Savings Bank Presidents Cup recognizing academic and athletics performances in 2008-09. The award is based on team grade point averages, graduation rates and the number of all-conference performers with a grade point average above a 3.0, as well as Men's and Women's All Sports points.