CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois women's basketball snapped their 21 game losing streak with a 64-59 victory over Southeast Missouri Saturday [Feb. 6] afternoon. The Panthers relied on a big second half effort to end the nation's second longest streak. 

With the win EIU improves to 2-21 and 1-10 in the OVC earning their first conference win of the season, while SEMO falls to 14-10 and 7-4 in the OVC.

Three different Panthers recorded double figures as Erica Brown earned a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Redhawks jumped out in front to start the game going on an 11-4 run following a layup from Erin Bollman at the 4:30 mark in the first quarter. Bollman finished the game with 14 points. EIU then went on a quick 7-2 run to pull the game close ultimately closing out the quarter trailing SEMO 15-11.

The Panthers went cold in the second period only shooting 20 percent as SEMO extended their lead throughout the closing minutes of the first half. EIU managed to keep the Redhawks within striking distance despite finishing the first half down 29-18. 

EIU came out of the locker room fired up opening the second half matching Southeast Missouri shot for shot. A layup from Shakita Cox at the 7:56 mark sparked a 9-1 run for the Panthers as EIU pulled to within two points. Cox earned seven points in the game to go along with six rebounds and three assists.

Back-to-back jumpers from Phylicia Johnson made the score 34-32 in favor of SEMO with 5:23 left in the third quarter. Both teams traded points until a big three-point bucket from Alece Shumpert, her only points of the game, gave the Panthers their first lead of the night 39-37 with 2:26 left in the period. SEMO scored the final six points of the third quarter to head into the final period up 43-39.

It was all Panthers in the fourth quarter as Brown opened up the period with three points the hard way following a foul from SEMO's Hannah Noe. Johnson would build on EIU's fourth quarter start with back-to-back three-point buckets to give EIU the lead 48-43 with 8:03 left in the game. Johnson scored 15 points in the final quarter for EIU to keep the Panthers in front the entire period. Johnson finished the game tying her career high with 19 points all coming in the second half. 

Both teams traded shots the rest of the fourth quarter as EIU managed to keep the Redhawks at arm's length leading by as much as seven points following a free-throw from Johnson with 23 seconds left in the game. 

The Panthers shot 46.4 percent in the second half outscoring Southeast Missouri 46-30. Halle Stull had a notable game coming off the bench for EIU recording 11 points and six rebounds. Grace Lennox spent all 40 minutes of the game on the court for EIU finishing the game with six points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

EIU looks to keep the momentum going against Austin Peay at home this Wednesday [Feb. 10] at 5:15 pm.