Box Score

BOX (PDF)  |  BOX (HTML)  |  Photo Gallery by Sandy King

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Senior forward Mariah King scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Panther women's basketball team to its second overtime win in three games, defeating Sacramento State 72-67 on Friday night in Lantz Arena. EIU improves to 5-3 on the year.
 
The Panthers outscored the Hornets 7-2 in the extra stanza to with their third consecutive game. Defensively, EIU held Sacramento State to 1-for-5 shooting in overtime to seal the victory. In the Panthers two overtime contests this year, EIU has outscored its opponents 20-4 while holding them to 2-for-16 shooting.
 
Sacramento State had its largest lead 45-37 with 12:52 remaining in regulation before the Panthers went on a 14-4 run over the next five minutes to take a 51-49 advantage. EIU was able to cut down on its miscues down the stretch to stay in the game. After committing 23 turnovers in the game's first 28 minutes, EIU only turned it over two more times for the duration of the game.
 
The Hornets led by six points (63-57) with 3:33 left on the clock in regulation, but the Panthers fought back by using an 8-2 run in the closing minutes to tie the contest for the ninth time. The game also had 10 lead changes.
 
King scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half to pace the Panther offense. Sydney Mitchell added her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes of action off the bench. Ta'Kenya Nixon and Kelsey Wyss both added 13 points in the win. Nixon also dished out a team-high five assists.
 
On the glass, EIU outrebounded Sacramento State 57-39. King added eight rebounds while Nixon pulled down seven.
 
Kylie Kuhns led the Hornets with 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting to go along 10 rebounds. Megan Kritscher added eight points, rebounds and blocks. Alle Moreno finished the night with 13 points.
 
The Panthers return to action at Big Ten member Wisconsin on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.