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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois (2-2) sealed the second place spot for the Compass Tournament today against Western Illinois (0-3). EIU had a dominating outing, as they shot 53% from the field including a season high 11 three-pointers. The Panthers were led in scoring by Lariah Washington with 20 points and shot 64% on the day. Abby Wahl recorded her third double-double of the season and held her own in a much anticipated post matchup against Evan Zars. The Panthers move to 2-2 on the season and the Leathernecks fall to 0-3. Panthers take on Northwestern on Thursday, Dec. 10.

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QUARTER-BY-QUARTER 
The Panthers were off an running in the first quarter. Morgan Litwiller went on a tear for Eastern Illinois, scoring 10 points in the first quarter of the game including a nifty eurostep layup to swing the momentum for the Panthers. Western Illinois played well offensively, but the Panthers were hitting everything, as they shot 67% from the field. Parker Stafford got a little time as she matched up well against Western Illinois big, Evan Zars. Stafford was the first of the new class to enter a game. Panthers led 23-19 going into the second quarter.

The Panthers busted the game wide open in the second quarter as the team shot 11-16. Wahl started to show her versatility, nailing a three pointer and working in deep against the bigs of Western Illinois. Washington and Wahl scored effortlessly for the Panthers, and the overall team defense played well enough to not give up a big lead. Panthers led 51-40 going into halftime. 

Western Illinois came out with some spunk against the Panthers, but Eastern was not ready to give up their lead. The Panthers put up nine more shot attempts than the Leathernecks which proved to be the difference maker for EIU. Karle Pace, Washington and Kira Arthofer led the Panthers to a dominating 73-59 lead. 

The Panthers had all but sealed the victory going into the final quarter. Eastern Illinois were led by Pace in the fourth, who scored 5 points in the quarter. Eastern Illinois cleared the benches and brought in the new freshman class, Stafford, Haley Cameron, Alana Vinson and Jacqueline Maulucci. The team was riled up to see the new members of the team out on the court, and it made the 88-74 victory even sweeter.