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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Grace Lennox scored a career high 17 points as four Eastern Illinois players finished in double figures during a 75-59 win over Murray State on Wednesday night in Lantz Arena.
 
Eastern Illinois snapped a three-game Ohio Valley Conference losing skid as they improved to 8-14 overall, 5-4 in the OVC.  The Panthers host SIU Edwardsville at 1 p.m. on Saturday.  Murray State fell to 5-16 overall, 0-8 in the OVC.
 
The Panthers built an early five point lead as Lennox converted a pair of free throws with 13:56 to play giving EIU a 13-8 lead.  Murray State would answer taking the lead 19-18 on a Jashae Lee 3-pointer with 7:10 to play. 
 
EIU went on an 8-0 run with 3-pointers by Sabina Oroszova and Shakita Cox as they led 28-21 with 4:01 left in the half.  EIU led 33-31 at the half after shooting 52 percent in the first half.
 
The hot shooting continued in the second half as the Panthers connected for 55 percent in the second half and 54 percent for the game.  EIU held Murray State to 30 percent shooting in the second half and 36 percent for the game.
 
The Racers made adjustments at the half as they opened with a 9-2 run to take a 40-35 lead.  Ke'Shunan James scored four points during the run as she led Murray State with 16 points on the night.
 
LeAsia Wright's free throws with 16:10 to play gave MSU its biggest lead of six points.  EIU responded with a  12-2 run as they led by four points on a Lennox jumper with 12:30 to play. 
 
Arnisha Thomas would give the Panthers their first double digit lead at the 6:41 mark as they pulled out to a 63-52 advantage.  Thomas was 7-of-11 from the floor with 15 points.
 
James trimmed the lead to single digits at 4:26 before EIU closed the game on a 10-2 run.  Lennox, Oroszova and Griffin all made free throws in the final minute and a half.
 
Oroszova and Erica Brown both had double-doubles for EIU.  Oroszova finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.  Brown had 10 points, 10 rebounds.  In addition to her 17 points, Lennox added seven assists and four steals.
 
Olivia Cunningham was the other Racers player in double figures with 13 points.