EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -
Abby Wahl scored a career-high 16 points as SIUE beat Eastern Illinois women's basketball 78-62 Thursday night at the Vadalabene Center. Wahl finished 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line recording four rebounds and one steal.
EIU falls to 10-14 overall and 4-9 in the OVC. SIUE improves to 11-13 overall and 6-7 in the OVC.
Turnovers and second chance points led the Cougars to a 38-25 lead at halftime over the Panthers. The rebounds were tied 18-18 at the break with the Cougars having two more offensive boards than the Panthers. SIUE scored 10 points on second chances, while EIU only managed five second chance points in the first half.
The Panthers struggled taking care of the ball leading to 13 first half turnovers. The Cougars were able to capitalize EIU's turnovers leading to another 14 points. Mikia Keith tallied five steals for SIUE before halftime.
EIU outscored SIUE 20-17 in the third to narrow the Cougars lead to ten points. SIUE opened the fourth quarter on 7-0 run broken up by a layup by Wahl. The Panthers would go on an 8-0 run with just under two minutes left to play led by
Jordyn Hughes with five straight points. EIU got SIUE's lead down to 12 points on a three-point play from pace but the Cougars pulled away for the win. Hughes would finish the game 3-of-3 from the field with two three-pointers and 8 points.
Taylor Steele added 12 points and three assists for the Panthers.
Grace Lennox moved up to ninth on the all-time career steals list with 180 surpassing Toni Collins with three steals. Lennox finished with five boards and six assists.
Sydney Bauman completed a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Cougars. Micah Jones added nine points and seven rebounds before an injury in the final second in the first half.
The Panthers return home on Saturday Feb. 16 for a 1 pm tip-off vs. Southeast Missouri.