Box Score
MARTIN, TENN. - Eastern struggled in today's match up against one of the top teams in the OVC. EIU fell 88-64 against the Skyhawks, and never looked like they were in control. The Panthers 17 turnovers and 22 fouls hurt the momentum and the Panthers weren't able to get the offense in a groove. The size of UT Martin showed, as they ended with 10 more boards than EIU. It was a tough loss, but the Panthers will look to learn from this one as they head towards the final stretch of the season. EIU falls to 15-10 (9-5 OVC), while UT Martin improves to 16-9 (12-2 OVC).
The Panthers and Skyhawks got went back and forth in the start of the first quarter. UTM started on a little run from an offensive spark by Brittni Moore, who led Martin in points at the media timeout.
Lariah Washington hit a three to keep the Panthers involved, but the offense continued to struggle.
Abby Wahl managed to get Chelsey Perry in foul trouble sending her to the bench.
Karle Pace nailed a three to keep the Panthers in the game. The game remained in the hands of UT Martin going into the second quarter. Skyhawks led 21-15.
Eastern looked sloppy in the first few minutes of the second quarter, adding four turnovers in four possessions. Hughes scored for the Panthers after stripping UT Martin, but just as the Panthers started to sway the momentum the Skyhawks came back and scored. Offensive rebounds and fouls were causing a lot of problems for the Panthers, as the Skyhawks grew their lead and gave EIU fits.
Matt Bollant brought in
Grace McRae and Wahl to match up against the height of UT Martin, but turnovers plagued the Panthers. The Panthers ended the half with 13 turnovers and trailed 40-26 going into the second half.
The Panthers came out with a
Kira Arthofer steal and lay up, which was exactly what the Panthers needed as they were stagnant at the end of the half. Perry continued to be a force doing everything for Martin. Pace continued to force her way in the paint and score for EIU.
Morgan Litwiller found an opening off a pick and pop an swished a three for the Panthers. Eastern refused to give up, but the Skyhawks drew foul after foul. Pace led the team with 15 points at the end of the third, but UT Martin had a commanding 68-52 lead.
The game became more and more frustrating for the Panthers as they couldn't stop the Skyhawks, and again were called for foul after foul. Pace continued to force her way into the paint, but was visibly upset after the Panthers fell apart towards the end of the game. The Panther fell 88-64. The Panthers will return home next week to take on Murray State at home next Thursday.