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CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Panthers (8-10, 6-7 OVC) fell in a heartbreaker to the Belmont Bruins (9-4, 6-2 OVC), 77-75. The Panthers were without starters, Karle Pace and Morgan Litwiller, but battled with the No. 2 team in the OVC all game. The Panthers shot 54% from the field, despite the loss. Lariah Washington led the Panthers with 23 points and nailed 4-4 3-pointers. Kira Arthofer was able to manage another career-high with 12 assists on the day. Abby Wahl and Jordyn Hughes also managed to score double-digit points as Wahl finished with 15, and Hughes finished with 10. The Panthers will take on Tennessee State on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m.

QUICK STATS

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER
Both teams started the game battling for possession. The Panthers forced six turnovers early and managed to hold the Bruins to only 15 points in the quarter. Hughes scored a quick 6 points to draw the defense out of their zone. Hughes shooting allowed the rest of her teammates to get open, which became pivotal in the second quarter. Bruins led 15-13 going into the second quarter.

Eastern Illinois caught fire from beyond the arc in the second quarter, nailing 3-3 in the quarter. The Bruins came out hot as, however. The Bruins shot 60% field in the second quarter, an impressive feat. The Panthers one-upped the Bruins, as they shot 90% from the floor in the second quarter. The Panthers were unconscious in the second quarter, with the score reflecting that. EIU outscored Belmont 26-25 in the second quarter, but the Bruins held the slight 40-39 lead. 

Out of the break, the Panthers remained hot from the floor. The Panthers had taken advantage of the Bruins zone in the second quarter off of their outstanding shooting. This shift in the zone allowed for Abby Wahl to become more active in the low post. Arthofer found Wahl over and over, as she continued to rack up the assists. Briana Mishler and Parker Stafford gave the Panthers valuable time off the bench as EIU continued to go blow-for-blow against the Bruins. The Panthers and Bruins scored 15 points a-piece in the quarter to give Belmont the 55-54 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

Eastern Illinois fought hard against the Bruins throughout the final quarter. Arthofer continued her career day; dishing out five assists in the quarter before fouling out in a last-ditch effort. Washington continued her perfect day from beyond the arc. The sophomore three of her four 3-pointers in the final quarter, including a contested 3-pointer in the corner. The Panthers were unable to pull away, despite holding the lead for around a minute in the final quarter. The Panthers fell 77-75 to the Bruins. Eastern Illinois will look forward to Saturday, Feb. 6, when they will face Tennessee State at 1 p.m.