Eastern Illinois freshman guard
Lalani Ellis made a splash in her opening game in a Panther uniform scoring 21 points, the most by an EIU freshman in their opening game since the 2006 season.
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Ellis added one more 20-plus point game on Sunday against Valparaiso and on Tuesday was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player and Freshman of the Week.
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Ellis averaged 17 points per game in the three games with 21 points at IUPUI, eight points at No. 9 Indiana and 22 points against Valparaiso.  She added 21 rebounds including 12 on the offensive glass to average a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game.
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Ellis shot 58.8 percent from the field and 73.3 percent from the foul line.  The freshman tacked on seven assists and four steals as the Panthers opened the week 1-2.
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EIU returns to action on Nov. 24-25 at the Grand Canyon Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz.