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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois rally fell just short Saturday afternoon as visiting Austin Peay held on for a 66-63 win at Lantz Arena.  Four EIU players scored in double figures led by Bh'rea Griffin with 12 points.  Griffin had a 3-pointer hit off the front rim as time expired in the loss.
 
EIU fell to 7-14 overall, 4-4 in the OVC.  The Panthers will host Murray State at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Lantz Arena.  APSU improved to 7-13 overall, 4-3 in the OVC.
 
Tiasha Gray scored 32 points to lead the Lady Govs as they jumped out to an early 9-0 lead.  Gray had seven of the first nine points for APSU.
 
The Panthers slowly worked their way back into the game as Shakita Cox drained a 3-pointer with 8:52 to play giving the Panthers their first lead at 19-17.
 
Tearra Banks answered for APSU as they pushed the lead back out to nine points with 4:10 to play.  Banks had 12 points off the bench as APSU had three players in double figures.  The Lady Govs would lead 33-25 at the half following a late basket by Banks.
 
Austin Peay continued to extend the lead in the second half as they led by 13 points with 16:28 to play after Jacey Scott sank a 3-pointer.  APSU opened the second half hitting 4-of-5 from the floor.  Good defense by the Panthers held them to just 4 of their next 23 shots in the second half.
 
Cox hit a jumper to bring the Panthers within two points with 4:41 to play.  Erica Brown then was fouled but could only convert one of two at the line. 
 
A lay-up by Morgan Martin and 3-pointer by Cox in the final 30 seconds brought the Austin Peay lead to one on two occasions but the Panthers could never tie or take the lead. 
 
Kristen Stainback and Gray hit five of six at the free throw line to close out the game.  Stainback had 14 points.  The Lady Govs were 13-of-16 at the stripe in the second half.
 
Brown, Cox and Sabina Oroszova all finished with 11 points for EIU.  Oroszova posted her 11th double-double of the season adding 11 rebounds before she fouled out.   EIU was 6-of-13 from the free throw line in the game.