CHARLESTON, Ill - Eastern Illinois women's basketball beats Jacksonville State 52-49 Thursday afternoon on Kids Day. Halle Stull had a productive day off the bench for the Panthers recording six points, five boards, a steal, and a block in the win. EIU improves to 11-17 overall and 5-12 in the OVC. JSU falls to 14-14 overall and 8-9 in the OVC.

The teams battled in Lantz Thursday afternoon as the highest lead was only six points by the Panthers in the third quarter. Each team led by at least five points once as the game was tied six different times and saw seven lead changes. 

JSU got on the board first in the game with a layup by Chloe Long just 11 seconds into the first quarter. That would be the Gamecocks only lead of the first half as the Panthers held on to a three-point advantage heading into halftime.

Grace McRae opened the third quarter connecting on a three-pointer extending EIU's lead to six points making for the largest lead of the game. JSU fought back taking their first lead at the 8:44 mark on a jumper from Rayven Pearson. Stull would come off the bench and knock down a three to give the Panthers the lead for the remainder of the quarter. EIU led 38-34 going into the final 10 minutes.

The Gamecocks opened the fourth on a 8-1 run to take a three-point lead. Jumpers by Karle Pace and Taylor Steele narrowed the two leads JSU would hold over EIU. Perry would tie the game for the final time on a free throw, but a three-point play by Grace Lennox 2:33 left to play would lead the Panthers to a 52-49 win.

The Panthers held the Gamecocks to shooting 28.1 percent from the field and 20.6 percent from the arc, while they shot over 40 percent from both the field and three-point range. EIU also outscored JSU 26-12 in the paint.

Pace finished with a game-high 13 points and added four rebounds. McRae added 10 points and two boards, while Lennox tallied eight points, two boards, three assists, and two steals. Smith scored six points and grabbed a team-best six boards, while Steele dished out a game-high five assists.

Pearson led JSU with 13 points and finished with nine boards. Perry added eight points off the bench.

EIU will close the 2018-19 season on Saturday March 2 at 1 pm for Senior Day vs. Tennessee Tech. Come out to Lantz to support EIU's four seniors.