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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Evansville used a 19-5 run to open the second half to pull away for an 81-46 win over Eastern Illinois in the season opener for both teams.

EIU took an early lead as the Panthers led 17-13 with just under nine minutes to play in the first half. The Panthers then hit a cold streak from the field as Evansville went on an extended 14-2 run covering eight minutes. The Purple Aces led 28-21 at the break.

Jordyne Crunk and Katlyn Payne had nine points each in the first half for EIU as the Panthers shot 20 percent from the field but remained in the contest with a 24-18 first half rebounding margin.

Turnovers plagued EIU in the second half as Evansville was able to score 35 points off of 30 turnovers. Evansville's big run came to open the second half as turnovers that Evansville took as inbound entries in the first half became Evansville fast break points in the second half.

Dakota Weatherford scored three fast break lay-ups as she finished with six points. Weatherford's final fast break lay-up at 15:49 put Evansville up 41-28.

Five Evansville players scored in double figures as they shot 51 percent in the second half. Kat Taylor and Sara Dickey each finished with 13 points.

EIU was led by Crunk with 14 points and Payne with 11. Sabina Oroszova added ten points and nine rebounds despite playing most of the game in foul trouble.

Evansville finished with 17 steals. Weatherford had four. The Purple Aces had a 33-6 advantage in bench points.

Eastern Illinois returns to action on Tuesday night game against Indiana State. Tipoff is 7 p.m. in Lantz Arena.