Eastern Illinois women's basketball head coach
Matt Bollant has announced the addition of two players to the Panthers roster during the NCAA's early signing period which opened last week.  Joining the EIU roster for next season are guard Alanna Phillipo and forward Olivia Thostenson.
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Phillipo is a 5'9" guard from Millbury, Mass., that plays at Marianapolis Prep School in Connecticut. As a junior she averaged 12.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.9 blocks per game leading her program in 3-point field goal percentage, blocks and rebounds.  She posted five double-doubles during the season scoring a season-high 27 points against Class AA opponent MacDuffie.  Phillipo will begin her senior season in the coming weeks needing nine points to join the 1,000 point club for her prep career.
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"Alanna is a smart skilled point guard that can play the two as well," said Bollant. Â "She sees the floor extremely well, and has a great feel for the game. She is very driven, and we love her toughness as well."
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Thostenson continues the Panthers recent pipeline from the state of Minnesota as the 6'3" forward is from International Falls and plays at International Falls High School.  In three seasons on the varsity roster she has averaged 15.8 points and 14.6 rebounds per game needing just 16 rebounds this season to join the 500 rebound club for her career.  Thostensen has added 66 career blocks with 56 steals.Â
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"Olivia has great size and athleticism.  She loves contact and plays very aggressively," said Bollant.  "For her size she runs extremely well.  She can easily grab the rim and has so much potential."
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"We are very excited about these two players and feel like they will continue to help us climb to the top of the OVC," said Bollant.
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EIU is coming off a 21-win season last year which included setting a school record for conference wins to open a season with 13 straight OVC victories.  EIU returns to action on Thanksgiving weekend at the Grand Canyon Tournament facing Nicholls and Fresno State.
