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RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Illinois closed out the first half with an 11-2 run as the Panther women won their first conference road game of the season with a 68-42 win at Eastern Kentucky on Thursday night.
EIU improved to 7-11 overall, 4-1 in the OVC. The Panthers will play at Morehead State on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. EKU dropped to 6-8 overall, 1-3 in the OVC.
With the scored tied 16-16 with 4:45 to play the Panthers closed the first half with an 11-2 run.
Bh'rea Griffin started the run with a 3-pointer as she was 4-of-4 from 3-point range finishing with 19 points.Â
Griffin had five points while
Arnisha Thomas added eight in the first half run to give EIU a 27-18 lead at the half. EKU scored its final two points of the half on free throws as the Colonels did not score a field goal in the final 9:03 of the first half.
Grace Lennox opened the second half with a three point play while Thomas added a lay-up to quickly extend the Panthers lead to 31-18. Thomas led all players with 21 points adding five assists.
Sabina Oroszova's jumper with 14:41 to play pushed the Panthers lead to 20 points as EIU held that margin for most of the remainder of the game. EKU was able to cut the lead to 18 points with 6:36 to play on a jumper by Shameekia Murray. Murray led the Colonels with 18 points.
Oroszova pushed the lead back to 20 points on the next possession as she scored 14 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.Â
EIU held EKU to 27 percent shooting from the floor while forcing 21 turnovers which the Panthers converted into 30 points. EIU shot 51 percent for the game.