Box Score
MOREHEAD, KY. - The Panthers held on to win their first game against Morehead State since 2013.
Karle Pace was the answer in today's match up and has cemented her spot as one of the best overall players in the OVC. She ended the game with 25 points, including all 11 points in the fourth quarter.
Lariah Washington continues to improve as she takes more shots to make up for the absence of
Taylor Steele. The Panthers move up to a 3-1 OVC record and 9-6 overall. The Eagles drop to a 6-10 overall record with a 2-2 OVC record.Â
Both teams started off slow at the start of the first quarter. Besides a Washington free throw, it was all Pace for the Panthers at the half mark of the first quarter. Morehead State stayed true to form, blocking three shots in the first five minutes of play.
Jennifer Nehls played a big role in the Panthers early success on defense with her hustle play. Eastern struggled in the final minutes giving up easy turnovers, and the length of Morehead State. At the end of the first quarter the game was all tied up 10-10.
Wahl started the Panthers off with a post move that kept the Panthers and Eagles tied up. The game remained tight, but the Panthers defense kept them in the game. The presence of
Grace McRae was felt instantly as she managed a season high 6 points at the half of the second quarter. The Panthers started to pull away from the Eagles in the second quarter. The Eagles couldn't find an answer, while EIU went off on a 11 to nothing run. Washington stayed hot, scoring 10 points and grabbing five rebounds at the half time mark. Panthers led at half 32-20.
The second half started as a battle from the free throw line. Washington made her way to the free throw line five times making four. Pace scored the Panthers first field goals of the half, a three pointer and a floater from inside of the paint. At the half mark of the third quarter, Eastern led 41-31.
Morgan Litwiller came back into the game after a quiet first half and nailed a three for to hold the Panthers lead. The Panthers held the lead at the end of the third quarter, 46-35.
Morehead State started to creep back into the game in the fourth, as the Panthers struggled with the full court press. It didn't help that Eastern started off ice cold, missing their first several field goals. It wasn't til Pace spun in deep and converted an and-one play that put the Panthers up four with 5:31 on the clock. Pace continued to carry the offense as she scored two more interior shots, giving her 11 points in the fourth alone. The Eagles fell cold in the second half of the final quarter after nearly completing an incredible come-back. Eagles only managed a few free throws and were not able to finish it off. Panthers won their first road trip series since Jan. 2012. Eastern won 57-51.
Eastern will go back to Charleston to face off against Jacksonville State on Thursday.Â