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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Eastern Illinois cut an 11-point half time deficit down to two points midway through the second half before Tennessee Tech held off EIU for a 64-54 win at the Eblen Center.

TTU improved to 6-11, 3-1 in the OVC.  EIU dropped to 7-9, 2-3 in the OVC.  The Panthers host Austin Peay on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

Morgan Palombizio led the Panthers in the early going as she scored six of her eight points in the first four minutes as EIU led 8-7 with 16:14 to play.

Hannah Goolsby broke open the game in the first half for Tennessee Tech hitting 3-of-3 from 3-point range coupled with 13 first half points by Diamond Henderson.  TTU shot 50 percent from the field in the opening half to lead 36-25 at the half.

Junior Arnisha Thomas helped EIU chip into the TTU lead in the second half scoring all seven of her points off the bench.  Sabina Oroszova cut the lead to two with a pair of free throws with 12:37 to play as TTU led 40-38.  EIU was 13-of-13 from the free throw line.

Goolsby hit a 3-pointer on the next possession followed by a Molly Heady 3-pointer on a fast break to extend the lead back to eight points.  After a pair of free throws by Jordyne Crunk, Goolsby had a jumper and a pair free throws to put Tennessee Tech back in command.  Goolsby finished with 18 points, one of three TTU players in double figures.  Henderson had 18 points.  Candace Parson had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Oroszova posted her seventh straight double-double for EIU finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  Crunk added 17 points as her free throws with 3:09 left cut TTU's lead to 59-54.  TTU would score the games final five points.

The Golden Eagles had a 39-27 rebound edge including 18 offensive rebounds.  Kayla Brewer pulled down 11 rebounds for TTU.