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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Sophomores Ta'Kenya Nixon and Sydney Mitchell led four Eastern Illinois players in double figures as they both scored 15 points to lead the Panthers over the Lady Colonels, 70-61, on Thursday night at Lantz Arena.

After trailing by three (35-33) at the half, the Panthers (9-7, 5-1 OVC) used an 18-8 run to open the second stanza and take a 53-43 advantage over the Lady Colonels (4-11, 1-6 OVC). EIU never relinquished the lead and led by as much as 12 (61-49) after a Chantelle Pressley three-point basket with 5:39 remaining in the game.

An Alex Jones basket got EKU within two (62-60) with just under three minutes left in the contest before EIU closed the game on an 8-1 run to come out on top, 70-61, and move to 5-1 in Ohio Valley Conference action.

The first half was back and forth as the two teams were tied seven times. EIU led by six (19-13) at the 11:55 mark before EKU tied the game at 22 with 9:16 left in the first stanza. The game was tied two more times before the Lady Colonels took the 35-33 advantage into the locker room.

Mitchell paced the Panthers with nine rebounds while Pressley added eight and Nixon grabbed seven.

Pressley netted 13 points in the game and Jordyne Crunk chipped in career-high 12 points. The Panthers have now gone five consecutive games with three or more players in double figures.

EIU shot 63.6 percent from behind arc, going 7-for-11 in the contest. Crunk, Kelsey Wyss and Mitchell all made two, three-pointers in the game.

EKU's Reese Bass led all scorers with 16 points while teammate Nadia Mossong recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds and 10 points.

The Panthers return to action on Sat., Jan. 15 against Morehead State at 4 p.m.