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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Morgan Palombizio, one of three seniors playing her final home game for Eastern Illinois, scored a career high 18 points but the Panthers fell short in their upset bid against UT Martin.  The Skyhawks won 93-69 sweeping the regular-season series.

UT Martin improved to 21-7, 14-1 in the OVC.  EIU fell to 12-14, 7-8 in the OVC.  The Panthers play at SIU Edwardsville at 1 p.m. on Saturday.  EIU needs a win to secure a spot in the OVC Tournament.  The Panthers could lose the game and still earn a spot in the field if UT Martin beats Austin Peay at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers opened both halves with a 3-pointer to gain some early momentum.  Senior Jordyne Crunk drained the 3-pointer in the first half for the Panthers.  UT Martin answered with an 18-2 run over the next four minutes to lead 18-5 at the 15:13 mark.  Heather Butler had two of her five 3-pointers during the run and Katie Schubert dropped in another from beyond the arc.

The Panthers cut the lead down to four points at 8:29 as Katlyn Payne hit a 3-pointer to make it 24-20.  Palombizio's lay-up with 3:27 to play cut the lead to 32-29.  UT Martin closed the half on a 6-2 run to lead 38-31 at the break.  Tiara Caldwell had four points in the late run. 

Payne opened the second half for EIU with a 3-pointer to once again cut the lead to four points at 38-34.  Payne was one of four EIU players in double figures finishing with 14.  The Skyhawks then put the game away with a 17-0 run over the next four minutes as Jasmine Newsome capped the run with a lay-up following a steal. 

UTM forced 21 EIU turnovers resulting in 31 points off of turnovers.  The Skyhawks themselves only turned the ball over five times in the game as both teams shot over 50 percent from the floor.  EIU never got closer than 18 points the remainder of the game.

Butler led all players with 29 points hitting 12-of-25 from the floor and 5-of-12 from 3-point range.  Newsome had 17 and Schubert 12, going 4-of-4 from 3-point range.  Ashia Jones posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Sabina Oroszova posted her 14th double-double of the year pulling down 15 rebounds to go with 15 points.  Crunk added 10 points.