CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Panthers outlasted visiting Rose-Hulman Monday night. Second half scoring helped lead EIU to a 73-58 win in their final exhibition game.
Rose-Hulman set a competitive pace for the night's contest out scoring the Panthers in the first two quarters. Abby Bromenschenkel and Debie Gedeon led the Fightin' Engineers to a 20 point first quarter with five points each. Rose-Hulman entered the second quarter with a two point advantage over the Panthers. Ally Bromenschenkel hit a buzzer beater jumper to end the half taking 34-31 lead over EIU going into halftime. Gedeon led Rose-Hulman with nine points in the first half.
Grace Lennox and
Grace McRae carried the Panthers offense in the first half. Lennox scored 10 points shooting perfect beyond the arc, while McRae added eight points. The Panthers struggled on the boards and were out-rebounded 17-11 in the first two quarters and 39-26 for the game.
The Panthers entered the third quarter down by three, but
Jennifer Nehls ignited the offensive spark to push EIU into the lead. Nehls had 13 third quarter points and hit three three-pointers early in the quarter to give EIU a 44-41 lead and the Panthers never looked back. EIU held Rose-Hulman to 11 third quarter points and forced them to commit six turnovers.
Defense was key for the Panthers in the second half. EIU held the Fightin' Engineers to 13 points and forced them to shoot 23.5 percent from the field in the fourth quarter connecting on only four field goals taken.
Karle Pace scored eight points for EIU off the bench in the fourth quarter with five of those points coming from the line. Lennox finished with 18 points, four assists and four rebounds. Nehls pourred in 16 points shooting 4-7 from beyond the arc.
Carmen Tellez was the lead rebounder for EIU with seven boards. Tellez also finished with five points and five assists. EIU shot 50 percent from the field and 57.9 percent from the three-point range. The Panthers capitalized on points in the paint with 24 and points off turnovers with 19.
Ally Bromenschenkel finished with 13 points and five assists for Rose-Hulman, while Abby Bromenschenkel added 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The Panthers open regular season play this Friday Nov. 10 as they host Northern Illinois. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.