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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois opened defense of its 2010 Ohio Valley Conference title with a 77-58 win over Tennessee State extending the Panthers consecutive game win streak over the Lady Tigers to 11 games.

EIU (3-4, 1-0 OVC) opened with a 37-21 halftime lead as Ta'Kenya Nixon scored 16 of her 19 points in the first 20 minutes.  EIU led by as many as 23 points with 5:53 left to go in the half after opening the game with a 12-0 run.

The Panthers shot 57 percent from the field in the first half and continued to shoot well in the second half with a 52 percent effort.  EIU shot 55 percent for the game including 50 percent from 3-point range 6-of-12.

Mariah King carried the load in the second half for the second straight game.  The sophomore forward matched her career high with 21 points as she hit 7-of-13 from the field and 7-of-12 from the free throw line.  King had seven points at the half.

Tennessee State (3-4, 0-1 OVC) closed to within 12 points in the second half behind the play of Meredith Stafford who finished with 18 points for the Lady Tigers.  Kesi Hess added 14 hitting 4-of-11 from 3-point range.

EIU dominated play in the paint with a 42-24 advantage while outscoring TSU 23-8 in fast break points.

The Panthers return to action on Saturday hosting Austin Peay at 4 p.m.