CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women's basketball shot 61 percent from the field and committed only two turnovers, cruising to a 110-28 victory against NAIA opponent Brescia (Ky.) Sunday evening in the home opener at Lantz Arena.

Ta'Kenya Nixon led six Panthers in double-figures with 16 points. Dominique Sims added 14, Ashley Thomas 13, Pilar Walker and Mariah King both finished with 11 and Sydney Mitchell scored 10 for the second game in a row.

Eastern (3-3) recorded 31 assists and 23 steals, scoring 36 fast-break points and 55 off Brescia (4-5) turnovers. Nixon, Thomas and Walker each finished with at least five assists and five steals.

 

“I've been on [Nixon and Walker] this week because we're going to play the way they play,” EIU head coach Brady Sallee said. “They're kind of that barometer. If they're playing hard and are all over the floor, diving and making those plays, well then our team is going to feed off that and we're going to play like that. So those two have to understand that even though they're a freshman and sophomore, they're leading the team because of the position they play (point guard). I think they're starting to figure that out and our team is starting to feed off of that. When those two play like they did tonight, we've got a chance to be alright.”

The Panthers reached the century mark for points for the first time since a November 2006 victory against Illinois-Springfield (118). That game also marked the last time six EIU players scored in double-figures.

 

Brescia was without three starters due to various ailments. The Bearcats' 28 points are believed to be the fewest scored by an EIU opponent in the program's Division I era (1983-present).

 

Eastern held Brescia without a field goal until the 15:41 mark of the first half, racing out to an 11-1 lead in the process. The Panthers later blew the game open with a 16-2 run. Thomas and Sims both connected on a 3-pointer during the surge.

 

Eastern has won 10 consecutive nonconference games at Lantz Arena. That streak will be on the line Dec. 9 when EIU hosts Western Michigan. With the Nov. 7 exhibition game getting canceled in the wake of assistant coach Jackie Moore's unexpected death, Sunday's game was the team's first at Lantz Arena since defeating Tennessee Tech in the opening round of the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on March 3.

 

Kelsey Wyss, who made her first collegiate start, as well as King, Mitchell and Nixon all made their Lantz Arena debuts.

Eastern returns to action Thursday for its OVC opener at Tennessee State. Tipoff in Nashville is slated for 5:30 p.m.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID