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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Katlyn Payne set the Eastern Illinois single season record for 3-pointers on Saturday afternoon but it took a late run by the Panthers to seal a 71-61 victory over SIU Edwardsville at Lantz Arena.

EIU improved to 9-12, 4-6 in the OVC.  SIUE dropped to 5-17, 2-8 in the OVC.  EIU returns to action next Saturday hosting Southeast Missouri at 4:15 p.m.

Trailing most of the game SIUE took its first lead of the game on a lay-up by CoCo Moore with 6:31 to play.  The two teams traded free throws and baskets over the next two minutes before Morgan Palombizio's free throw sparked a late EIU run. 

Palombizio made one of two from the stripe with 4:11 to play to break a 58-58 tie.  Sabina Oroszova and Palombizio then hit back-to-back jumpers and Oroszova capped the 10-0 run with free throws with 41 seconds to play.

Oroszova and Palombizio were dominant on the glass as both players pulled down 14 rebounds to lead EIU to a 50-43 rebound advantage.  Oroszova posted her 13th double-double this season finishing with 23 points.

Payne had the hot hand for the Panthers in the opening half.  The junior set the EIU single season record for 3-pointers with her first made 3-pointer at 14:57 which staked EIU to an 8-0 lead.  The Panthers extended their lead to 13 points two times in the first with Payne sinking a 3-pointer at 12:41 and another at 9:29 which put EIU up 23-10.

SIUE closed the gap to two points with 2:02 to play in the first on a lay-up by Ashley Capotosto.  The Cougars trailed 33-31 with 17 seconds to go after free throws by Moore.  Moore led SIUE with 14 points as three players finished in double figures.

Payne intercepted an inbounds pass and sank a 3-pointer as time expired to give EIU a 36-31 lead at the half.  Payne finished the day with 25 points hitting 6-of-8 from 3-point range.  She now has 64 3-pointers this year.  Entering the game she was tied with Michelle Lewis (2002) for the single season mark of 58.  Jordyne Crunk had nine assists and one turnover. 

Jazmin Hill and Micah Jones both added ten points for SIUE.