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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Karle Pace scores a season-best 29 points in Eastern Illinois women's basketball's 80-60 win over Eastern Kentucky Thursday night in Lantz Arena. Pace finished 10-of-15 from the field and 3-of-5 from the arc with two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

EIU improves to 9-11 overall and 3-6 in the OVC, while EKU falls to 2-18 overall and 0-9 in the OVC.

The first quarter saw four lead changes in the first four minutes of play. Grace McRae connected on a jumper at the 6:04 minute mark to give the Panthers a permanent lead over the Colonels for the remainder of the game. Taylor Steele and Pace each had 13 points for EIU heading into halftime helping the Panthers to a 41-31 lead over the Colonels. 

In the third quarter, the Panthers capitalized on the Colonels six turnovers scoring 13 points. EIU finished the game with 26 points on EKU's 19 turnovers.

The Panthers led by as much as 22 as Pace scored 13 points for EIU in the third quarter. The Colonels would get the lead down to 15 on three different possessions, but the Panthers would win their third conference match-up 80-60.

Steele finished with 15 points behind Pace's 29. Steele also tallied six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block. Jalisha Smith flirted with a double-double recording 9 points and a season-best 11 rebounds. McRae added seven points and seven rebounds from the bench.

Bria Bass led the Colonels with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Shay Solomon fell short of a double-double with 10 points and 8 rebound. She also tallied six assists.

The Panthers will be back in action this Saturday Feb. 2 at 1 pm vs. Morehead State for the second annual Care Game.