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Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Morehead State's Chynna Bozeman scored a game-high 30 points to lead the Eagles over Eastern Illinois, 77-73, on Saturday afternoon at Lantz Arena.

Sophomore Ta'Kenya Nixon and the Panthers (9-8, 5-2 OVC) led 73-72 with 1:45 left in the game before an Allie Turner three-point basket gave the Eagles (13-5, 6-2 OVC) a two-point advantage (75-73). After a Chantelle Pressley shot with 10 seconds remaining fell short, MSU drained back-to-back free throws to hold on for the 77-73 victory.

The contest was back and forth as neither team led by more than six throughout the contest. The game saw 15 lead changes and six ties.

EIU had its largest lead of the game in first half, taking a five-point advantage (32-27) after a Kelsey Wyss three pointer at the 4:38 mark. An 8-3 run by the Eagles to finish the half would send the teams to the locker room knotted at 35.

Nixon led the Panthers with 22 points while Jordyne Crunk and Wyss added 12 points. Mariah King chipped in 10 points in the loss. The Panthers had 17 points off the bench compared to MSU's zero. 

EIU out rebounded the Eagles by five (39-34), led by sophomore Sydney Mitchell who pulled down 11 boards. Nixon grabbed seven rebounds in addition to dishing out a game-high six assists.

MSU's Ashar Harris recorded a double-double, pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds and scoring 15 points.

The Panthers return to action next week with two road Ohio Valley contests at Murray State (Jan. 20) and UT Martin (Jan. 22).