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Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. - The Panthers lost their season series against SEMO Thursday night 72-56. The Panthers first quarter was the death of them as they could never recover from the deficit. Karle Pace ended with the team-high in points with 16 on the day. The Panthers as a team finished with 23 rebounds, while SEMO finished with 41 boards. The Panthers record falls to 17-11 (11-6 OVC), while Southeast Missouri's moves to 22-6 (14-3 OVC). Eastern will remain in the fourth spot in the standings as Tennessee Tech lost to Belmont.

The game started off with a technical foul on a clock malfunction. The Panthers forced the issue early with four quick inside baskets. The Redhawks tandem of Tesia Thompson and Carrie Shepard put up 9 total points and pushed the pace against Eastern. Eastern cooled down after letting up easy points and offensive rebounds to SEMO. Eastern's offense had slowed to a halt as the Panthers went nearly five minutes without a bucket until Lariah Washington got to the line. After the free throws, EIU couldn't buy a bucket, as they shot 31% on the quarter and didn't score a field goal for over six minutes. SEMO led 24-11 going into the second quarter.

The second quarter showed more of the same. The Panthers couldn't get the rim off the basket until a fast-break layup by Morgan Litwiller. Washington came back down and scored inside after she stole the ball. The momentum started to swing in favor of Eastern on defense, but the offense still struggled. Wahl looked to be the focus of the offense as she continued to get good interior position. Pace continued to put up points and chip away at the huge Redhawk lead. Wahl continued to push SEMO around inside and hit five-footers off the glass. The Panthers pulled back within six points at the half. SEMO led 32-26. 

The second half started with physical play on both ends. The defense of Eastern kept SEMO at bay as Arthofer hounded the Redhawks guards. Washington started out the Panthers scoring with a free throw and an inside jumper. The momentum started to swing back in favor of Southeast Missouri, but the Panthers stayed resilient. Washington continued to push the ball inside off the fast break. Wahl followed with another inside hook shot. Grace McRae became only the fifth Panther to score in the game in the third quarter with a pair of free throws. The Panthers offense remained stagnant, as it seemed that Washington was the only Panther to continually put up points. The third period ended with a three ball from the Redhawks that gave them a 55-41 lead heading into the final quarter.

Taylor Steele started off the quarter with a corner three pointer to give EIU some hope. Steele went back to the wing and pulled up for three again; finding the bottom of the net. Wahl continued to score inside and at the media timeout, SEMO led 64-49. Litwiller hit her first three of the game; chipping away more and more at the SEMO lead. Steele fouled out of the game with three and a half minutes left. After another Thompson score, the lead had grown to much for EIU and they were unable to come back. Eastern fell to SEMO 72-56.