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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois built a 17 point first half lead then withstood several second half runs by Murray State as the Panthers snapped a three-game losing skid with a 80-74 win over the Racers.  EIU improved to 8-10 on the year, 3-4 in the OVC.  MSU fell to 8-10, 1-5 in the OVC.

After being outscored by a 40-12 total in Saturday's loss to Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois was determined to pound ball down in the paint in the first half.  Senior Taryn Olson scored the Panthers first seven points as only three EIU players scored in the first half.

Murray State was cold from the floor being held to four points for the first 12:30 of the contest.  The Racers opened the game 1-of-11 from 3-point range and 1-of-13 from the floor.  The eventually warmed up cutting EIU's lead to 28-19 at the half as Murray State shot 19 percent in the opening half. 

EIU connected on 41 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.  Erica Brown capped a 13-5 run with 4:25 to go and Sabina Oroszova put EIU up 17 points making one of two from the free throw line as EIU led 26-9 with 4:02 to go.  Olson, Brown and Oroszova combined to score all 28 of EIU's first half points as all three ended the game in double figures.

Both teams lit up the nets in the second half as Murray State hit 5-of-6 to open the half.  EIU countered hitting its first five shots of the period as both teams shot better than 50 percent from the floor in the second half.

Julia Fox scored all 14 of her points for Murray State in the second half.  She hit back-to-back 3-pointers with the second coming at 13:47 as the Racers cut a 14-point lead down to seven.  Jordyne Crunk answered with a lay-up for EIU before Fox and Chanyere Hosey scored six straight points to trail 49-46 with 11:59 to go. 

EIU was solid at the line as the Panthers extended the lead back to double figures when Oroszova knocked down a pair of free throws with 9:05 to go to put EIU up 60-50.  Oroszova finished the game with her 12th double-double of the season with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Murray State stayed within five to six points the remainder of the game closing the lead to three with 22 seconds left on a Taylor Porter lay-up.  Olson made one of two free throws and Brown collected a rebound on the next MSU possession.  Brown was then fouled and the freshman made both free throws to close out the game with 13 points.  Olson finished with 10.

Katlyn Payne and Crunk both added double figure scoring performances.  Payne had 15 and Crunk 11.  EIU was 28-of-33 from the free throw line including 24-of-27 in the second half.  EIU ended the game with a 34-24 points in the paint advantage.

Nikia Edom led Murray State with 21 points making 4-of-5 from 3-point range. 

EIU returns to action on Saturday with a 3 p.m. game at Southeast Missouri.