Eastern Illinois had three players score in double figures as the Panthers picked up their first OVC road win of the season with a 65-60 win over Tennessee State on Thursday night at the Gentry Center.

EIU led 50-41 at the end of three quarters and held off a late charge that got the Lady Tigers within five points with 1:21 to play on a Xai Whitfield basket cutting EIU's lead to 63-58. 

Following a defensive stand, EIU extended the lead back to 65-58 on a lay-up by Sydney-James Desroches following a rebound by Meioshe Mason.   James was one of three Panthers in double figures with 16.

Mason had her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 13 rebounds as rebounding was a key factor in the game.  EIU finished the game with a 43-38 rebounding edge including pulling down 13 offensive rebounds.

Eastern Illinois held Tennessee State scoreless for nearly seven minutes to close out the second quarter extending a 16-14 first quarter lead to a 33-22 halftime lead.

Desroches (11) and Tiny Lewis (10) both reached double figures in the opening half as the Panthers closed the half with a 12-2 run.  Whitfield finally broke a long scoreless stretch for TSU with five seconds left in the half.

Lewis was EIU's leading scorer in the game with 19 points including several key baskets early in the fourth quarter.  EIU improved to 4-20 overall, 3-10 in the OVC. 

Clara Glad had eight rebounds and Kennedy Davis added seven rebounds for the Panthers.

Whitfield was the lone TSU player in double figures with 14 points as the Lady Tigers fell to 3-19 overall, 2-11 in the OVC.