PDF Box
MURRAY, Ky. - Eastern Illinois women's basketball falls 60-51 to Murray State Thursday night. The Racers went 9-of-10 from the free throw line in overtime to win their fourth OVC match-up. The Panthers fall to 9-13 overall and 3-8 in the OVC. The Racers improve to 8-14 overall and 4-7 in the OVC.
Murray frazzled EIU in the first quarter with some pressure defense forcing three straight turnovers and seven in the first ten minutes leading to a 12-3 run into the first media time out. The Racers extended their lead 17-8 into the second quarter.
The Panthers found their offensive groove mid-way through the second quarter. EIU went on an 11-0 run on a scoring effort from five different players. The Racers failed to score in the final 7:23 of the first half as the Panthers cut their lead to one point with a score of 24-23 heading into halftime.
After the break, the Panthers took their first lead of the game with a three-point play from
Abby Wahl. Both teams traded baskets into the third quarter media time out. Following the time out, the Panthers went on an 8-1 run to take a 34-29 lead over the Racers. Murray responded with a 6-0 run to regain the lead, but a layup from Lennox would give EIU a one point advantage into the final ten minutes.
The teams made for a competitive fourth quarter.
Jalisha Smith and
Karle Pace had back-to-back steals leading to a four-point EIU lead. Macey Turley would score four straight points from the free throw line to tie things up 49-49. The Panthers had the final possession with 18 second left of the clock, but a strong Murray defense would force EIU's first overtime game of the season.
The Racers outscored the Panthers 11-2 in the five minute overtime period. Both of EIU's points came from the charity stripe, while nine of Murray's came from the line leading them to a 61-50 win.
EIU finished the game shooting 31.7 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from the arc. Lennox finished with a team-high 14 points, while Pace added 11. Pace also tallied five steals and three assists. Smith recorded six points and seven boards off the bench for the Panthers.
Murray shot 30.6 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from the arc. They out-rebounded the Panthers 55-34 led by Adebayo who finished with a game-high 20 rebounds. She also finished with 12 points to complete a double-double. Janika Griffith-Wallace and Turley each added 18 for the Racers.
EIU will be back in action this Saturday Feb. 9 for a 1:30 tip-off at Austin Peay.