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CHARLESTON, ILL -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball put up a great fight, but came up short against the Belmont Bruins in a 71-57 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Lantz Arena.

The Panthers got off to a hot start as three-pointers by Kira Arthofer and Morgan Litwiller put EIU up 6-0 early on.  After going on to establish an early 16-9 lead, Belmont went on a 6-2 run to end the period, as the Panthers ended the first quarter with an 18-15 lead.  Belmont then hit two quick threes of their own to take a 21-18 lead at the start of the second quarter.  A Lariah Washington bucket cut the lead to one before back-to-back made layups by Abby Wahl gave EIU a three-point lead again.  It was a tight back-and-forth contest for the rest of the first half as Belmont took a 33-31 lead into the locker room at halftime.

After a Washington basket tied the game at 33 to begin the third, Belmont's Conley Chinn made a jumper to put Belmont back up 35-33.  The game then became a defensive slugfest, as neither team was able to score another point for nearly four minutes of action.  Belmont eventually broke the drought and went on a run to take a 49-39 lead.  With time winding down in the period, Taris Thornton connected on a three-point shot to pull the Panthers to within 49-42 going into the fourth quarter.  The Bruins seized control in the final period, using a 14-4 run to go up 63-46.  EIU turned up the defensive pressure and made a late surge, as five straight Washington points were followed by a Jordyn Hughes steal-and-score which was then followed by a Parker Stafford steal that was converted into a Julia Bengtson bucket to pull the Panthers to within eight. But the Panthers were unable to get any closer.

Washington led the Panthers with 15 points, her 11th double-digit effort in 13 games this season.  Wahl scored 10 and grabbed seven rebounds.  Arthofer had nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.  

The Panthers turned Belmont over 17 times and outscored the Bruins 32-22 in points in the paint.

Next up is another monster OVC matchup at Lantz Arena as the Panthers will host the Murray State Racers.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5 pm.