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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Eastern Illinois lost their first game of the season against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 72-68, on Wednesday afternoon. Minnesota only had seven players suited up for Wednesday's game. The Panthers were led by the hometown hero, Lariah Washington with 22 points. The Gophers, Kadi Sissoko, led Minnesota in scoring with 24 points. The Panthers and Golden Gophers now have a 1-1 record against each other.

The first half of the game was all Panthers, but the third quarter brought the Gophers into the forefront, as they took the lead and never gave it back. Abby Wahl, Karle Pace and Washington all scored in double-digits. Kira Arthofer recorded 10 assists, a new career high. The Panthers will be playing again on Friday at Lantz Arena against Northern Illinois in the first game of the Compass Tournament.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER
Panthers struck first, as the hometown hero, Lariah Washington scored the first two baskets for the Panthers. The Golden Gophers struggled against the quick defense of the Panthers. The Panthers continued to pound the paint against Minnesota, but easy misses plagued the Panthers in the first half of the quarter. Washington continued to push the ball up the court and force Minnesota to run. She finished the quarter with 9 points, and led all scorers in the game. Panthers led Golden Gophers 17-14.

Washington continued to run up and down the court against Minnesota. Heads up play for the Panthers gave Washington her 11 point of the game. Adjustments by the Gophers early allowed them to pull back into the game. The offense continued to find holes in the Minnesota defense. The offensive rebounding by the Golden Gophers became a problem for the Panthers. Eastern Illinois cut off inside passes and forced turnovers which allowed them to get out and run in the open court for easy baskets. The Golden Gophers started to go on a 7-0 run against the Panthers, as the turnovers piled up for Eastern Illinois. The team shot 48% in the first half of the game. Panthers led at halftime: 33-31.

The two team got off to a slow start offensively. After two missed layups by the Panthers, the Golden Gophers took their first lead of the game. Wahl stopped the bleeding for the Panthers, as she scored an easy basket to stop the thee minute scoring drought. Kadi Sissoko continued to dominate the game offensively for the Gophers. The redshirt sophomore led all scorers with 18 points with 4:38 left to go in the third quarter. A disastrous quarter from the field left the Panthers down 53-46.

Wahl got the Panthers started strong with two quick made shots near the basket to pull them back into the game. Good defense led to good offensive possessions for the Panthers. Washington had to take over for the Panthers offensively to keep the Panthers within striking distance. The clock continued to dwindle, and too many offensive opportunities went by the wayside. Pace kept it interesting for the Panthers as she nailed a wide open shot, and after a Wahl layup, EIU pulled within 3 points. The Panthers were not able pull back into the game after a tough third quarter. Minnesota wins 72-68 twenty years to the day these two faced each other in Lawrence, Kansas.