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Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Kelsey Wyss hit five, three pointers on her way to score a team-high 17 points to lead Eastern Illinois over Southeast Missouri State, 74-49, on Saturday afternoon at Lantz Arena.

The Redhawks (7-15, 3-9 OVC) and Panthers (12-11, 7-5 OVC) were tied at 26 going into halftime, before EIU came out to open the second stanza on a 21-7 run to take a 49-33 advantage at the 11:25 mark. An Erika Lane basket with 7:16 left in the game got SEMO within 13 (55-42) before the Panthers used a 19-7 run over the final seven minutes of the game to put the Redhawks away.

The first half saw SEMO lead by as much as six (14-8) with 11:41 on the clock. EIU responded with an 8-0 run capped by a Hillary Held basket at the 8:50 mark to regain the lead, 16-14. The Panthers continued its offensive attack, going on a 10-6 run to take a 26-20 advantage at the 1:29 mark before SEMO fought back to score six consecutive points and tie the game at 26.

Sophomore Mariah King added 14 points in the victory while classmate Ta'Kenya Nixon scored 12 points. Nixon has scored in double figures in 18 consecutive games this season.

Sophomore Sydney Mitchell added 10 points and junior Chantelle Pressley chipped in nine points and pulled down six rebounds. A total of nine different Panthers scored in the contest.

Nixon paced a group of 10 Panthers who recorded a rebound in the game, grabbing a game-high eight rebounds. The Michigan City, Ind., native also dished out a game-high seven assists and had three steals.

EIU out rebounded the Redhawks by 15 (41-26) and recorded three more steals. The Panthers also forced 27 SEMO turnovers.

Brittany Harriel led the Redhawks with 17 points while Bailie Roberts added 12.

The Panthers return to action on Feb. 10 as they travel to Morehead, Ky., to face Morehead State.