converted 6 of 8 free throws to cap the victory. Eastern Washington improves to 7-10 overall. Sacramento State is 1-2 in conference and 7-9 overall.
The Eagles missed a lot of open-look opportunities inside during the first half, but maintained a lead through the strong shooting of Axton who scored 16 points in the first half.
Axton finished with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 5 of 6 from the line and a 3-pointer.
" (Axton) does so many different things for us," Giacoletti said. "Inside, outside, he is the most consistent guy on our team."
Axton is averaging more than 15 points in the last three games after being held scoreless in the conference opener against Montana.
After trailing by as many as 10, Sacramento State ended the first half on a 9-1 run, including seven points by Joseth Dawson, to close the Eagles' lead to two, 30-28.
Sac State scoring leader Joseth Dawson (12.0 ppg) led the Hornets with 19 points on 5 of 16 from the field and 8 of 8 from the line. Forward Chris Lange added 13 points.
The Eagles turned the ball over four times in the game's first 5 minutes, and committed 15 in the game. Sacramento State turned the ball over 12 times.
Eastern's defense limited Sacramento State to 37.7 percent shooting.
The Eagles' 23 personal fouls kept the Hornets in the game late in the second half. Sacramento State, however, totaled 27 personal fouls.
" (The Eagles) are a championship team right now," Sacramento State coach Jerome Jenkins said. "We didn't make the plays down the stretch, but we'll get them up there."
EWU's Brendon Merritt left the game just 20 seconds in after colliding knees with a Hornet player. He reentered with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, but sat most of the second half because of pain. The initial diagnosis is a bruised knee, and Merritt said he feels confident he will be ready for the Eagles' next game, Saturday at Portland State.
Eastern won't play again until next Saturday, when they will travel to Portland State for their third straight conference road game.
EWU 68, Sacramento State 62Eastern Washington (7-10, 3-1)_Axton 8-11 5-6 22, Nelson 3-4 0-3 6, Merritt 0-2 0-0 0, Barnard 4-7 4-4 14, Snow 6-11 1-2 14, Henkel 0-0 0-0 0, Pariseau 2-6 3-6 7, McCulloch 2-3 1-5 5, Butorac 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-44 14-26 68.
Sacramento State (7-9, 1-2)_Lange 4-6 5-8 13, Thompkins 1-4 1-4 3, Guyton 2-4 0-0 5, Freeman 2-9 0-0 5, Jones 3-6 2-2 8, Harris 1-1 0-0 2, Pugh 0-2 0-0 0, Dawson 5-16 8-8 19, Bausley 2-4 2-2 6, Champion 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 20-53 19-26 62.
Halftime_Eastern Washington 30, Sacramento State 28. 3-point goals_Eastern Washington 4-11 (Barnard 2-3, Snow 1-3, Axton 1-4, Merritt 0-1), Sacramento State 3-12 (Guyton 1-3, Freeman 1-3, Dawson 1-4, Jones 0-2). Fouled out_Nelson. Rebounds_Eastern Washington 29 (Axton, Snow 7), Sacramento State 32 (Thompkins 8). Assists_Eastern Washington 18 (Axton 5), Sacramento State 7 (Jones 5). Total fouls_Eastern Washington 23, Sacramento State 27. A_1,064.
