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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Sophomore Ta'Kenya Nixon posted her sixth double-double of the season to power the Panthers past Murray State, 68-55, on Saturday afternoon at Lantz Arena.

After being tied at 21 with the Racers (8-19, 4-12 OVC) with 4:35 left in the first stanza, the Panthers (16-11, 11-5 OVC) used a 12-2 run to close out the half and take a 33-23 lead into the locker room.

EIU opened the second half with a 12-7 run to take a 16-point advantage (46-30) at the 13:58 mark. The Panthers never trailed in the second half and led by as much as 17 (66-49) with 3:33 left in the game. Murray State closed the game on a 6-2 run, but the large EIU lead was too much to overcome as the Panthers held on for the win.

Nixon paced the Panthers with a season-high 14 rebounds and 15 points. The Michigan City, Ind., native was 5-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-8 from the foul line. Nixon also had a team-high five assists and two steals.

Sophomore Mariah King posted a game-high 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Sydney Mitchell added 11 rebounds, seven points and four assists.

Kelsey Wyss chipped in 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. The Hoagland, Ind., native made all of EIU's three-point baskets in the contest as she was 4-for-7 from behind the arc.

The Panthers out rebounded the Racers by 12 (49-37) and had eight more assists (18-10). EIU scored 18 points off 15 Murray State turnovers.

Jessica Winfrey led the Racers with a double-double, scoring a team-high 16 points with 11 rebounds.

EIU returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 24 at Austin Peay. Game time is set for 5:15 p.m.