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MURRAY, Ky. –

Mariah King and Ta'Kenya Nixon paced three Panther players in double figures in a 71-64 loss to Murray State at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky., on Thursday night.

The Panthers (9-9, 5-3 OVC) trailed by as much as 12 (60-48) with 5:59 left in the game before going on a 13-7 run to get within six (67-61) with 55 seconds left in the contest.

Two free throws by King got EIU within five points (69-65) with 25 seconds left in the game, but Murray State (6-12, 2-6 OVC) knocked drained two free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory.

Murray State took an early 15-7 lead to open the contest before EIU fought back to get the game within one at the 10:24 mark on a Hillary Held jumper. A Morgan Palombizio basket gave the Panthers their first lead (18-17) with 9:02 remaining in the half before the Racers rattled off four consecutive points to regain the lead, 22-18.

Jordyne Crunk hit a three and Chantelle Pressley made a lay up to put EIU up by one (23-22) at the 7:27 mark, but Murray State used a 15-4 run to take a 10-point advantage (37-27) with just over two minutes left the first stanza. EIU went on a 7-2 run to get back within five (39-34), but Murray State's Mariah Robinson hit a three as time expired to send the Racers into the locker room with a 42-34 lead.

King and Ta'Kenya Nixon paced the Panthers with 15 points each while Crunk posted a career-high 14 points. Pressley added seven points and Kelsey Wyss scored five points.

King and Wyss both grabbed seven rebounds in loss. EIU out rebounded the Racers by one (37-36). The Panthers also scored 20 points off the bench to Murray State's seven.

Murray State's Mariah Robinson scored a game-high 29 rebounds to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds. Jessica Winfrey recorded a double-double for the Racers, netting 11 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

EIU returns to action on Jan. 22 at UT Martin at 4 p.m.