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Photo Gallery (by
Sandy King)
A stifling defense and big rebounding performance by senior
Macy McGlone helped carry Eastern Illinois to a 53-44 win over Little Rock on Thursday night as the Panthers locked up the No. 3 seed in the OVC Tournament with the win at Groniger Arena.
EIU held Little Rock to 24.2 percent shooting for the night as they built a 15-6 lead after the opening quarter. EIU held the Trojans to just 11.8 percent in the second half but Little Rock trimmed the lead to 21-16 at the half as Sug Williams was able to drive to the line several times in the quarter. She finished 8-of-10 at the stripe to lead Little Rock with 14 points while pulling down 11 rebounds for a double-double.
Little Rock cut the lead to one point before
Kiyley Flowers, playing for the first time in three games, hit a pair of big 3-pointers in the third quarter for EIU as McGlone helped control the glass. McGlone pulled down 21 rebounds falling one short of the school record. She added 14 points, one of two Panthers in double figures.
Lalani Ellis scored 12 points to join McGlone in double figures while
Alex Rouse scored nine points. EIU closed out the fourth quarter with big free throw shooting hitting 8-of-10 in the quarter and 12-of-15 for the game.
EIU improved to 17-11 overall, 14-5 in the OVC as they will play as the No. 3 seed next week in Evansville with a 3 p.m. game.
Little Rock fell to 14-14 overall, 12-7 in the OVC. Jordan Holman joined Williams in double figures with 13 points.