Box Score
DEKALB, Ill. - Eastern Illinois lost the first game of the Compass Tournament to Northern Illinois.
Abby Wahl recorded her first career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. The tale of the tape was the free-throw differential. NIU had 17 free-throw attempts, while EIU had only had seven attempts. The Panthers fall to 5-4 on the season, while NIU moves up to 4-5.
Both teams struggled on the offensive end at the start of the game. The Panthers started to gain a little more momentum in the last three minutes of the quarter, going on an 8-0 run. Eastern shot 33.3% in the quarter, while NIU shot an abysmal 20%. Wahl led EIU in scoring in the quarter with 7 points.
Kira Arthofer wrangled in four rebounds in the first quarter alone. Eastern led NIU 14-8 going into the second quarter.Â
The second quarter saw the Huskies making a comeback. Northern Illinois managed to get the lid off of the rim, ending the quarter shooting 41.7%.
Taylor Steele kept the Panthers in the game, scoring 9 of her 11 points in the second quarter. Eastern was hindered by the second quarter turnovers, and ended the half with eight total turnovers. NIU's bench surprised the Panthers with a quick outburst, especially A'Jah Davis. At the half, Davis had 10 points in only seven minutes of play. Panthers led 31-27 at halftime.Â
In the third quarter, NIU continued to outscore the Panthers. Going into the media timeout, the Huskies had outscored the Panthers by 5 points. The Huskies overtook and grabbed hold of the lead. The Huskies looked like they were about to pull away with the lead, but
Jennifer Nehls nailed a three pointer at the buzzer that kept the game close. At the end of the third, NIU led 45-42.Â
The Panthers could not get the ball in the basket, going scoreless in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.
Jordyn Hughes swished a three-pointer, but it was too little too late as the Panthers couldn't score. Arthofer nabbed seven total rebounds, a career high. The Panthers shot 15% in the final quarter and scored only 6Â points. The final score was 61-48 in favor of NIU.
The Panthers will play in the third place game against Western Illinois tomorrow at 4:30.