Utah State Eastern faced off against Northeastern Junior College over the weekend in the first of two back-to-back matchups at the SLCC Invite.  After falling behind in the first half, a second half surge helped the Eagles emerge victorious over the Plainsmen with a final score of 86-77.

USU Eastern displayed a balanced offensive effort with Martel Williams leading the scoring charge with an impressive 29 points, shooting 7-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Dyson Lighthall added 18 points, connecting on 8-of-13 field goals, and Jack Jamele chipped in 9 points with three three-pointers. Taft Mitchell also played a crucial role, putting up 9 points and dishing out 4 assists.

The team's three-point shooting was a highlight, as they connected on 11-of-20 attempts from long range, finishing the game with a 55.0% three-point shooting percentage. Their free throw shooting improved in the second half, with an overall game percentage of 80.6%.

Utah State Eastern's defense proved pivotal as they managed to record 13 steals and 3 blocks, making it difficult for Northeastern to find a rhythm in the game. Their collective effort on the boards, with 25 total rebounds, also played a significant role in securing the win.

In their second game, USU Eastern secured an impressive 84-67 victory over Eastern Wyoming College thanks to sharp shooting and a solid defensive performance by the Eagles.  

Eastern started the game strong, shooting an impressive 51.6% from the field in the first half. They maintained their lead throughout the game, finishing with a total field goal percentage of 55.4%. Their defense was equally impressive, tallying 10 steals and effectively limiting Eastern Wyoming's opportunities.

Dyson Lighthall led the way for Utah State Eastern, scoring 23 points and contributing 5 rebounds. Martel Williams also had another standout performance with a double-double, posting 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. 

The Eagle's balanced offense and relentless defense set them on the path to victory, improving their record to 3-1 for the season after defeating the Lancers.