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PHOENIX – Eastern Illinois women's basketball roared out to a 20-8 start after the opening quarter but the Panthers went cold from the field in the second half as they lost to Fresno State, 70-60, on day two of the of the Grand Canyon Classic presented by Talking Stick Resort.
 
Miah Monahan scored six early points as EIU had an 18-4 run over the first eight minutes of the game.  The run was capped by a 3-pointer by Sydney-James Desroches as EIU knocked down two 3-pointers in the opening ten minutes of action.  Monahan's lay-up with 51 seconds left in the first pushed the margin to 20-8 as Monahan finished the game with 12 points. 
 
Fresno State opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run to get the lead back to single digits.  The Bulldogs would get as close as two points in the second quarter on 3-pointer by Keely Brown that came following an EIU turnover.   Desroches scored with 17 seconds left in the half giving the Panthers a 35-31 lead at the break.  Desroches scored seven for EIU.
 
Turnovers would be a factor for the Panthers as they committed 22 turnovers leading to 29 Fresno State points. 
 
Early baskets by Monahan and Ellie Colson pushed the EIU lead to eight points.  Colson scored a career high ten points going 5-of-7 from the floor.
 
Frenso State tied the game at 43-43 with 4:46 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Deajanae Harvey, one of nine 3-pointers the Bulldogs knocked down on the day shooting 41 percent from long range.
 
Harvey hit another 3-pointer with 3:14 left in the third quarter and Fresno State pushed their lead to ten on a 3-pointer by Taija Sta. Maria which closed a 21-2 run by Fresno State giving them a 55-45 lead with 57 seconds left in the third quarter.
 
Macy McGlone scored with 26 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the lead to eight, but EIU would get no closer during the fourth quarter.  McGlone had a double-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds.
 
Four Fresno State players scored in double figures led by Brown with 19 points.
 
EIU now stands at 1-4 overall.  Fresno State is 5-2.