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Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. - EIU women's basketball fell 78-66 to Valparaiso in Lantz Arena Monday night. A dry patch in the third and fourth quarter spelled disaster for the Panthers  and the team was never able to recover. Lariah Washington and Taylor Steele ended the game with 13 points a piece, but the outing wasn't enough as Valpo pulled away. The Panthers record drops to 6-5, while Valpo's win streak pushes to seven-in-a-row. The Crusaders record moves to 8-3 going into conference play.

The Panthers had an incredibly tough time scoring the ball in the first, only mustering up 10 points to Valpo's 19. The Panthers couldn't find a groove as they shot 28% from the field in the quarter. Washington managed to keep the Panthers afloat, scoring 5 points off perfect shooting. Valpo guard Grace Hales torched the defense; scoring 7 points in the first. Valpo also managed to snag five offensive rebounds against Eastern in the first quarter.

The Panthers managed to make a comeback, scoring 22 points in the second quarter. Abby Wahl scored 5 points and came down three rebounds in the second quarter. Taylor Steele scored 10 points and was the Panthers leading scorer going into the half. The Panthers still couldn't get over the hump and after a buzzer-beating three by Valpo, lost the momentum.

Eastern went on a little run, but the Panthers couldn't sustain the lead. The Crusaders went off on a 28-6 run in the third and fourth quarter. Washington scored 4 points in the third, but Hales added to her scoring run, scoring 8 points. 

EIU couldn't come back, despite outscoring the Crusaders 19-16. Three Panthers scored in double digits, including Kira Arthofer who finished with a career-high 10. Valpo's Grace Hales finished with 25 points and Grace White scored 20 against EIU. 

The Panther's start conference play at Tennessee State on Jan. 2.