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RICHMOND, Ky. – Five different players scored in double figures as Eastern Illinois defeated Eastern Kentucky, 78-57, on Saturday afternoon at Paul S. McBrayer Arena.

The Panthers (14-11, 9-5 OVC) used a second half offensive surge to push past the Lady Colonels (6-18, 3-12 OVC), connecting on 56 percent of their shots in the second stanza to outscore EKU, 44-32, in the second half.

EIU took a 10 point-lead with 18:05 left in the game and led by more 10 points throughout the rest of the contest. The Panthers had their largest lead of the game at the 4:59 mark, leading by 23 points (71-48). EKU outscored the Panthers 9-7 in the final 4:27, but the Panthers used the large lead they built throughout the half to win the game and improve to 9-5 in Ohio Valley Conference action.

EIU opened the game on a 12-2 run capped by a Sydney Mitchell three-point basket at the 16:45 mark. The Lady Colonels battled back and got within one point on four occasions in the half, trailing 24-23 with 2:45 left before intermission. EIU responded by closing the half on an 8-0 run to take a 34-25 lead into the locker room.

Sophomore Mariah King led the Panthers with 18 points while freshman Jordyne Crunk scored a career-high 17 points. Ta'Kenya Nixon scored 12 points and Kelsey Wyss added 10 points.

Mitchell posted her first career double-double, scoring 13 points a grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds. Nixon pulled down six rebounds while King and Chantelle Pressley both added four rebounds.

EIU out rebounded EKU by 14 (39-25) in the victory. The Panthers shot 48 percent from the field in the game and connected on 50 percent of their shots from behind the arc (6-for-12).

The Panthers play their next two games at home, squaring off against UT Martin on Feb. 17 before facing Murray State on Feb. 19.