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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Karle Pace extends her double-figure scoring streak to 13 straight games after scoring 23 points in Eastern Illinois women's basketball's win over Murray State. The Panthers defeated the Racers 75-67 to improve to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the OVC. Murray falls to 6-10 overall and 2-3 in the OVC.

The Panthers came out strong to start the game out-scoring the Racers 27-19 in the first quarter. EIU forced Murray to commit six turnovers in the first ten minutes leading to 10 points for the Panthers. Pace would finish the quarter with nine points to lead all-scorers.

EIU held on to their double-figure lead heading into halftime. Carmen Tellez was a perfect 3-of-3 from the arc with 11 points for the Panthers as they led the Racers 44-32 going into the break. 

Murray found momentum on the offensive end of the floor in the third quarter opening the half on a 9-2 run. Murray would take their first lead of the game on a three-pointer from Macey Turley at the 2:45 minute mark. The Racers out-scored the Panthers 24-12 in the third quarter to tie the game 56-56 going into the fourth.

On three consecutive possessions late in the fourth quarter, Grace Lennox and Taylor Steele would knock down game saving free throws to help EIU secure the 75-67 win over Murray State. Lennox finished the quarter with nine points for the Panthers.

Murray State dominated the glass despite falling to EIU. They out-rebounded the Panthers 41-28 with 17 offensive rebounds. The Racers scored 17 second chance points to the Panthers four. EIU finished the game with 26 points scored off Murray's 23 turnovers.

Pace was joined by three other EIU players in double-figures for the game. Lennox scored 16 points and recorded four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Carmen Tellez finished 4-of-8 from the field with 13 points, while Steele added 10 points for the Panthers. 

Macey Turley scored a team-high 20 points. Evelyn Adebayo completed the double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. She was only 2-of-7 from the field, but finished 8-of-8 from the foul line. Janika Griffith-Wallace added 10 points for the Racers off the bench.

The Panthers will be back in action Saturday Jan. 19 vs. Austin Peay at 1 pm.