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A back-and-forth game between Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois at the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament eventually bounced the way of the Leathernecks as WIU won 78-75 at the Ford Center in Evansville.

The teams traded the lead eight times and had eight ties in a game that was tight all the way down to the final minute.

EIU took a one-point lead at 75-74 with 1:10 to play on a basket by Macy McGlone as the senior capped her Panthers career with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

WIU answered with a basket by Raegan McCowan with 15 seconds left to put the Leathernecks back in front; she led all players with 25 points.  

EIU had one final shot with five seconds remaining that fell short resulting in the Panthers fouling to send WIU to the line.  Mia Nicastro knocked down both free throws to seal the game.  Nicastro had 19 points.

Nicastro had put WIU up 72-66 with 3:26 to play.  EIU used a 7-0 run over the span of 31 seconds to take a one point lead.  McGlone hit a jumper followed by a 3-pointer by Sydney-James Desroches.  Desroches was fouled on the made 3-pointer but she missed the free throw opportunity.  Lalani Ellis scooped up the loose ball and made a lay-up to put EIU up one with 2:09 to play.

WIU was hot from the field all game shooting 52.6 percent while knocking down 10-of-18 from 3-point range.  Addie Brownfield added 15 points as WIU improved to 16-15 and will play Lindenwood in the semifinals on Friday.

Desroches had a career night with 18 points going 4-of-7 from 3-point range.  Kiyley Flowers added nine points as EIU finished the season at 18-12 overall.