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CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois (3-6 overall, 1-3 OVC) dropped their third game-in-a-row against Murray State (4-3 overall, 1-1 OVC): 76-68. The Panthers started off hot but lost their momentum after the first quarter, while the Racers never slowed down. Abby Wahl finished the day with 20 points, and Lariah Washington was able to notch her second double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Eastern Illinois will try to right the ship against Austin Peay on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.

QUICK STATS

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER
Eastern Illinois and Murray State started off at an astounding pace. Wahl was off to a quick start as she finished the quarter with 8 points shooting 4-6 from the field. The Panthers shot 55% from the field in the first quarter and looked to continue their quick pace. Panthers led, 25-23.

The second period saw both teams with a stark drop-off from the great shooting in the first. The Panthers shot 33% from the field on the quarter; the Racers shot 23% from the field. Kira Arthofer and Washington both lead the Panthers in scoring in the quarter with 4-points-a-piece. Murray State guard, Macey Turley, got off an running in the second. She led Murray State with 5 points in the quarter. Eastern Illinois led going into halftime, 40-34.

The second half continued to be a burden for EIU as they shot 38% from the field and allowed the Racers to score 20 points. Jordyn Hughes gave the Panthers a spark off of the bench, but Eastern couldn't get a run going. Wahl led the Panthers with 4 points in the quarter. The Racers took the lead, 54-51.

The Panthers stayed close to the Racers throughout as Wahl and Karle Pace put up 6 points-a-piece. It was a back and forth battle between both teams in the quarter, but the Racers stopped any sort of momentum the Panthers could muster. Costly turnovers late became the end of Eastern Illinois as they dropped their third game-in-a-row. The Panthers fell to the Murray State Racers, 76-68.