EIU Women Beat Northern Illinois

DEKALB, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois women's basketball had three players score in double digits led by Shakita Cox with 16 points, but can't hold on as the Panthers fall to Northern Illinois 79-63. The loss drops EIU to 1-4 on the season while NIU improves to 2-1.

The Panthers fought hard in the first period to keep the game close at 17-15, but quick fouls by Grace Lennox and Erica Brown put the duo in foul trouble early in the game. Both of EIU's leading scorers were forced to sit out the majority of the second period with two fouls a piece. Lennox only earned 29 minutes on the court her fewest of the season so far.

Head Coach Debbie Black was forced to go deep into her lineup as five freshman were on the floor midway through the second quarter. Kayla Steward drained a three pointer at the 6:05 mark to give the Panthers their only lead of the game 20-19. Steward finished the match with six points.

Halle Stull did her best to maintain the lead countering the NIU attack with two straight layups as EIU held the Huskies at bay 24-21 with 4:34 left to play in the first half. Northern Illinois regained the lead and finished the first half on an 11-2 run to head into halftime up 32-26. Stull finished the game with a career high 14 points and a team leading five rebounds.

EIU started the third quarter well as they have done every game so far this season making two quick baskets to cut NIU's lead to two at the 7:27 mark in the third quarter. That was the closest the Panthers would get in the third period as the Huskies would capitalize on cold shooting from EIU and extend their lead to 12 leading 46-34 with 2:37 left in the third quarter.

The shooting woes continued for EIU in the fourth period as Northern Illinois extended their lead to as high as 19 late in the fourth quarter and earning a 79-63 victory. NIU finished the game out rebounding the Panthers 49-25.

Lennox finished the game with 12 points, 10 coming in the second half, five assists, and three rebounds. Brown led the team with three blocks while also contributing six points.

The Panthers will be in action again this Saturday [Nov. 28] at 3 p.m. when they head to Saint Louis to take on the Billikens.