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KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Eastern Illinois rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to take a lead with 3:10 left in the game but the Panthers would fall short in the opener at Western Michigan losing 57-55. EIU will host Big 12 Conference member Missouri at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Ta'Kenya Nixon gave the Panthers the lead with 3:10 left in the second half on a lay-up in the lane. Aurielle Anderson would give the Broncos the lead with a pair of free throws with 1:39 left in the game. Andrea Kras would block a late drive by Nixon to the basketball to preserve the WMU win.

Nixon was limited to seven points after leading EIU in scoring last season. She did pull down ten rebounds. Mariah King led the Panthers in scoring with 12 on 6-of-10 shooting while Jessica Parker added ten.

The Broncos had three players finish with double-digit performances, led by Ebony Cleary's 16 points, while Taylor Manley and Brenna Banktson added 12 and 11 points, respectively.