Photo Gallery (by
Sandy King)
EVANSVILLE, IND. -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball saw its OVC Tournament run end after one game with a 61-72 loss to the Tennessee State Lady Tigers. With the loss, EIU's overall record on the season drops to 16-14.
The game was a defensive slugfest in the first quarter, as the period ended in a 9-9 tie. TSU pressed their way to a 9-0 run to begin the second quarter, but EIU was able to respond with an 8-0 run to pull back to within a point. TSU kept up the pressure however, and responded with an 11-2 run to take a 29-19 lead. Just before halftime, the Panthers managed to cut the lead to 32-23 before another
Jordyn Hughes buzzer-beater three-pointer pulled EIU to within six at halftime. TSU turned EIU over 20 times in the first half.
The Panthers took better care of the ball in the third quarter en route to a 12-4 run to take a 38-36 lead with 2:20 remaining in the period. The Panthers were unable to keep up the momentum after getting the lead however, as a 7-2 TSU run gave the Lady Tigers a 43-40 lead entering the fourth. TSU extended the lead to begin the fourth, stretching the lead to 50-40. Back-to-back
Abby Wahl layups followed by a
Kira Arthofer layup cut it 53-50, but the Panthers were unable to get any closer, as TSU put the game away with made free throws down the stretch.
Lariah Washington led the team once again with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. Wahl was one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with 10 points and 9 boards. Arthofer finished with 10 points, a career-high eight steals, and five assists.Â
Julia Bengtson scored eight points, including a converted and-one opportunity on a three-point shot late in the fourth quarter. Hughes had seven points and four rebounds, while
Morgan Litwiller contributed with six points and four rebounds.
The Panthers managed 16 assists on 23 made shots.