MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A bad fourth quarter proved detrimental as Eastern Illinois women's basketball fell on the road to the Minnesota Golden Gophers by a score of 59-48. With the loss, the Panthers finish the out-of-conference portion of their schedule at 8-3.
"I thought we played really well for three quarters. Give Minnesota credit, they stepped up and made plays in that fourth quarter, and we didn't," said head coach
Matt Bollant. "We missed some good shots that we got early in the quarter, and then they started making some plays and we just never really responded, especially offensively."
It was a low-scoring affair early on, as Minnesota's lead was 7-5 with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter before a
Lariah Washington three-pointer gave EIU their first lead of the ballgame. The Golden Gophers responded with a three of their own before a
Taris Thornton converted and-one opportunity gave the Panthers an 11-10 lead right back. Minnesota answered with a 9-0 run that was ended by a
Hannah Purcell bucket to make it 19-13 at the end of the 1st quarter. The Golden Gophers scored the first points of the second quarter before a 9-4 Panther run made it a three-point game at 25-22. Minnesota would take a 27-24 lead into halftime.
The Panthers seized the momentum early in the third quarter, as back-to-back baskets by
Morgan Litwiller and Washington in quick succession gave EIU a 28-27 lead. After Minnesota retook a 31-30 lead, a Thornton putback off of a missed
Miah Monahan three sparked a 12-3 EIU run to give the Panthers their largest lead of the ballgame at 42-34. However, a Golden Gopher layup to end the third quarter would spark an 8-0 Minnesota run which tied the game at 42. Two free throw from Thornton gave EIU the lead back, but a Minnesota three-pointer that was quickly followed by a fast break layup put the Golden Gophers up three with 6:32 remaining. A Washington jumper would pull EIU back to within a point, but another 8-0 Minnesota run effectively put the game out of reach.Â
"We scored six points in that fourth quarter," said Bollant. "We've been a pretty consistent, pretty good offensive team, and we were not in that fourth quarter."
Litwiller led the way for the Panthers with 11 points and four rebounds while Thornton had 10 points and three rebounds. Washington contributed with nine points and three assists, while Monahan had eight points and four rebounds.Â
Macy McGlone had four points and eight rebounds while
Lyric Johnson recorded six rebounds.
EIU will open up Ohio Valley Conference play at home against OVC newcomer Lindenwood on Thursday, December 29. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 PM CT.