VALPARAISO, Ind. - Despite a 14-0 run closing the third quarter to regain the lead, Eastern Illinois women's basketball falls 62-60 at Valparaiso Sunday night. The Panthers fall 3-3 on the season, while the Crusaders improve to 3-5 overall.
The Panthers got off to a slow start in the first half shooting under 30 percent from the field, while the Crusaders shot 37 percent and 38.5 percent from the arc.
Jennifer Nehls connected on four straight free throws for EIU near the end of the second quarter bringing the Panthers within four points, but Valpo would hold onto a 32-23 lead going into halftime.
The Crusaders led by as much as 13 in the third quarter, but a lay-up from
Karle Pace ignited a 14-0 run in the final five minutes of the quarter.
Taylor Steele followed up Pace's lay-up with back-to-back three pointers, and
Abby Wahl would join the run with a jumper at 1:11 minute mark.
Carmen Tellez closed the quarter with a buzzer beating three-pointer to give EIU a 42-41 lead into the fourth.
Valpo led by as much as five points in the final 10 minutes with EIU narrowing the lead to one point four different times. The Panthers trailed by two points with three seconds left on the clock and would inbound the under the basket to Steele. Steele's lay-up was contested and bounced out of the rim to secure the 62-60 win for Valpo.
Three players scored double-figures for EIU. Pace led the team with 18 points and tallied five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Steele added 11 points and was 3-of-7 from the arc.
Grace McRae fell short of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards.
Grace Lennox tied her season-highs with six rebounds and six assists.
Grace Hales scored a game-leading 21 points for the Crusaders and grabbed seven boards. Addison Stoller added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Bryce Blood finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.
The Panthers will be back in action this weekend in Carbondale, Ill. for the first annual Compass Tournament. EIU will play on Friday Dec. 7 vs. Western Illinois at 4:30 pm and Saturday Dec. 8 vs. Southern Illinois at 4:30 pm.