Tweet #LOYALandTRUE

MACOMB, ILL -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball jumped out ahead early, but had to hold off a late comeback as the Panthers defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies 87-81 in their second game of the Compass Tournament in Macomb, Ill.  The win marks the Panthers' first win over NIU since November 26, 2014.

After NIU took the inital 4-2 lead, the Panthers' offense caught fire, as EIU went on a 13-3 run before ultimately ending the first quarter with a 25-18 lead.  The Huskies pulled to within 30-24 in the second quarter before an 11-0 Panther run gave EIU a 17-point lead.  Abby Wahl and Kira Arthofer each had nine points in the first half while Lariah Washington contributed eight first half points as EIU took a 46-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Panthers got their lead as high as 18 in the third quarter before NIU started to mount a comeback.  The Huskies heated up from three-point range and were able to cut the deficit to 10 going into the 4th quarter.  NIU continued to chip away at EIU's lead in the final period, pulling to within three with 3:09 remaining.  However, despite NIU's best efforts, a Julia Bengtson three-pointer combined with some key made free throws by Wahl and two clutch layups from Arthofer allowed EIU to put the game on ice.

Arthofer led the team with a career-high 20 points and a season-high tying eight assists.  Wahl scored 19 points, including her second 10-of-10 performance from the free throw line for the season, and grabbed five rebounds.  Washington scored 14 points for her eighth double digit effort in nine games on the season, and recorded a season-high seven rebounds.  Bengtson scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in her second straight start.  Jordyn Hughes contributed with seven points, six rebounds, and a career-high tying four assists.  Miah Monahan scored seven points and dished out four assists, both just one shy of her season-high.

The Panthers outscored the Huskies 46-32 in the paint.

Next up, the Panthers head north to take on the Loyola Chicago ramblers on Wednesday, December 8.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.