CLARKSVILLE, TENN. -- Eastern Illinois Women's Basketball showed great effort coming off of a two-week COVID pause, but came up just short on the road against the Austin Peay Governors on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers got out to a fast start, taking an 8-2 lead behind six early points from
Kira Arthofer. The Panthers would ultimately lead 18-10 after the first quarter. Austin Peay came storming back in the second quarter, outscoring EIU 27-13 in the period to take a 37-31 lead into the half.
EIU would strike right back at the Governors to begin the third quarter, using a 19-7 run spearheaded by nine straight points from
Lariah Washington to take a 50-44 lead. Austin Peay would remain in striking distance, but the Panthers led 54-53 entering the fourth quarter.Â
After two
Taris Thornton free throws got the scoring going in the final period, Austin Peay used a 7-0 run to take a 60-56 lead. A converted and-one by Washington cut the lead to one, but a subsequent 10-0 Governors run put EIU in an 11-point hole with four minutes to go in regulation. Two free throws back-to-back by Washington and Wahl followed by a
Jordyn Hughes steal and subsequent Arthofer bucket cut the lead to five. After the teams traded baskets, a Washington steal which led to yet another converted and-one opportunity by the junior cut the APSU lead to two with 1:28 to go. After an Austin Peay three-pointer made the deficit five again,
Julia Bengtson made a layup off of an excellent cut to pull EIU back to within three. The Panthers would ultimately get one final chance to send the game into overtime, but Washington's three-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.
Washington led the team with a season-high 26 points off a season-high 10 made shots on 17 attempts. Arthofer contributed with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and her first blocked shot of the season. Hughes, Bengtson, and
Abby Wahl each had seven points. Wahl also led the team in rebounds with seven. Bengtson recorded four rebounds and three assists, both tying her season high.
EIU turned Austin Peay over 15 times and outscored the Governors 17-11 in points off turnovers. The Panthers also held advantages in points in the paint (40-36), second chance points (7-4), and fast break points (10-0).
Next up, the Panthers return home for a big-time showdown with the Murray State Racers. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 pm.