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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Eastern Illinois Panthers (6-8, 4-5 OVC) fell to the Belmont Bruins (5-3, 2-1 OVC), 63-49. Eastern Illinois' 22 turnovers cost the Panthers in Thursday's game. Abby Wahl led the Panthers in scoring with 14 points. She also led the Panthers in rebounds with seven on the game. The Panthers will stay in Nashville to face the Tigers of Tennessee State on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m.

QUICK STATS
Karle Pace passed the 1,300 career-point mark in today's game
Brianna Mishler played in her first game since Jan. 2, against Tennessee Tech
22 turnovers are the second-most in a game this season (24 against Northwestern)
Lariah Washington scored double-digit points for the 30th time in her career.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER
The Bruins zone defense immediately caused issues for the Panthers. Belmont's defense caused six turnovers in the quarter that allowed Belmont to score 7 quick points. The Panthers were led in scoring by Morgan Litwiller, who finished the quarter with 3 points. The Bruins led 16-9 going into the second quarter.

Three-pointers were an issue for the Panthers' defense. The Bruins took a total of 16 three-pointers in the first half, but the Panthers countered with a barrage of inside points by Wahl. Adjustments on the defense forced five turnovers for the Bruins. Wahl finished the half with 8 points and was tied for the more points in the half with Washington. The Panthers shot 42% from the field, and Belmont ended the half shooting 41%. Belmont led 31-27. 

Four early Panther turnovers forced Kyley Simmons to take a timeout to readjust and calm the team down. The Bruins had scored four unanswered points while the Panthers hadn't managed a shot attempt. The third quarter struggles for the Panthers reared their ugly head. The Panthers scored 8 points on the quarter in comparison to the Bruins 15 points. Eight turnovers for the Panthers gave Belmont a 46-35 lead going into the final quarter.

The Panthers started to turn it around on the offensive, as they scored 14 in the quarter, but the Bruins outlasted the Panthers. Eastern Illinois was led in scoring by Wahl, with 17 points, including 4 points in the final quarter. The Panthers will look to turn it around against Tennessee State on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m.