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CHARLESTON, ILL -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball overcame a bit of a slow start offensively to earn a decisive home win over the SIUE Cougars.  With the win, their fifth in their last six games, the Panthers get over .500 for the season, improving to 11-10 overall and 6-4 in Ohio Valley Conference action.

It was a tight, defensive contest in the first quarter, as the Cougars took the early 7-4 lead.  Morgan Litwiller then hit a three-pointer that sparked a 13-2 Panther run to end the quarter.  Lariah Washington then hit a three-pointer to up the Panther lead to 20-9 early in the second, only for SIUE to respond with a three of their own.  Jordyn Hughes responded with a three-pointer to make it 23-12 and the Cougars never got to within single digits of the Panthers again.  The Panthers ultimately took a 49-23 lead into the locker room at halftime, and went on to win by a final score of 89-65.

Monahan led all EIU scorers with a season-high 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range.  She also dished out four assists.  Julia Bengtson scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and also recorded four assists.  Washington scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded three steals.  Jordyn Hughes scored 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting and dished out four assists.  Abby Wahl hit on both of her shots from the field and scored nine points to go along with three rebounds.  Parker Stafford got into the game and scored a career-high seven points to go along with three rebounds.  Ellie Colson also set new career highs with six points and five rebounds.  Kira Arthofer scored six points, dished out six assists, and recorded three steals.  Haley Cameron hit a three-pointer for her first points scored since November 28 vs. Utah.

The Panthers turned the Cougars over 24 times and recorded 31 points off turnovers.  The Panthers once again shared the ball efficiently, recording 25 assists on 31 made shots.  EIU outscored SIUE 38-24 in points in the paint.

The two teams will square off again in Edwardsville on Thursday, February 3.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm CT.