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NORMAL, Ill. - Eastern Illinois played without point guard Ta'Kenya Nixon on Thursday night in Normal and the host Illinois State Redbirds built an early lead during a 84-53 win over the Panthers.

EIU fell to 1-2 on the season and will host Bradley at Noon on Monday at Lantz Arena for its Kid's Day game. Illinois State improved to 2-0.

ISU shot 40 percent in the first half to pull away for a 40-17 lead as the Redbirds had a balanced scoring attack. ISU had a balanced attack with three players scoring seven first half points while the Redbirds held a 23-0 advantage in points off the bench.

EIU was led by Sydney Mitchell with eight points in the first half as she was one of four players to finish in double figures. Mitchell would finish with ten points. Jackie Herman was the top EIU scorer with 16 points off the bench hitting 4-of-10 3-pointers.

The Panthers would make a couple of second half runs as Chantelle Pressley and Mariah King were able to produce points in the paint. Both players finished with ten points. Pressley led EIU with seven rebounds but EIU was beat on the glass by a 54-38 margin.

Candace Sykes led ISU with 14 points while Katie Broadway and Hannah Spanich each tossed in ten. EIU did finish with 13 assists including six by Pilar Walker.