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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Freshman guard Jordyne Crunk scored a career-high 20 points, but it wasn't enough as Chicago State defeated Eastern Illinois, 73-64, in the Women's Basketball Invitational on Wednesday evening at Lantz Arena.

After trailing by as much as 12 points with 19:51 left in the game, the Panthers (18-13) stormed back to tie the game for the first time at the 13:02 mark with a 27-15 run. EIU took its largest lead of the game, 64-57, with 5:27 left on the clock on a Crunk three-point basket.

The Cougars (23-9) bounced back to close out the game on a 16-0 run and win their first postseason tournament game in school history.

Junior Chantelle Pressley was the only other Panther in double figures as she scored 12 points. Sophomore Ta'Kenya Nixon added nine points and eight assists while classmate Sydney Mitchell chipped in eight points.

Pressley led EIU on the glass, pulling down eight rebounds. Mitchell added six rebounds and Mariah King chipped in five boards.

The Panthers out rebounded the Cougars by two (34-32) in the contest, but committed four more turnovers (18-14). EIU scored 22 points off turnovers and had 22 points off the bench.

Both teams shot well from the charity stripe as Chicago State knocked down 92.3 percent of its free throws (24-for-26) while the Panthers connected on 81 percent of its attempts (17-for-21).

Tressa Beckel scored a game-high 25 points to go along with five rebounds for the Cougars. Courtney Waldon added 20 points while Elana Wroten contributed 16 points and nine rebounds. Chicago State blocked seven shots and had seven steals.

EIU concludes its season with an 18-13 overall record. Chicago State moves to 23-9 on the year and will face Cleveland State in the second round of the WBI.