EIU Men Fall, EIU Women Win Against Morehead State

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Published on January 15 2021 6:37 am
Last Updated on January 15 2021 6:37 am

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Morehead State was hot from the field early building a 41-23 lead at the half as the Eagles rolled over Eastern Illinois, 87-61, Thursday night at First Mid Court at Lantz Arena.

EIU fell to 5-7 overall, 2-3 in the OVC.  Morehead State won its fourth straight game improving to 8-6 overall, 5-2 in the OVC.
The Eagles shot 58 percent in the opening half, finishing the game connecting for 53 percent from the field.  All five Morehead State starters would finish in double figures with Johni Broome leading the way with 20 points.

EIU was cold from the field most of the night shooting 37 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range.  Mack Smith was held without a 3-pointer ending his NCAA record setting streak of consecutive games with a 3-pointer made at 91 straight.  The last time Smith missed a 3-pointer was Jan. 6, 2018 at Morehead State.

Marvin Johnson led EIU with 18 points while Kashawn Charles had 13 points.  Ryan Leonard and Micah Schnyders both saw their first action in a Panthers uniform during the loss.


EIU Women 65, Morehead State 50

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The Eastern Illinois University Panthers (5-7, 3-4 OVC) had one of their best defensive outings of the season, holding the Morehead State Eagles (2-8, 1-4 OVC) to 32.7% from the field to win 65-50 Thursday night.

This was Eastern Illinois' second win-in-a-row in conference play, and it comes at a crucial time. Lariah Washington led EIU in scoring with 17 points and recorded four of the Panthers' 15 steals for the game. The Panthers will return to Lantz Arena Saturday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m.

QUICK FACTS

Karle Pace moves to the No. 15 spot in career-points with 1,266 total points.

Kira Arthofer, Pace, and Lariah Washington each recorded four steals during the game.

Fifteen steals ties the season-high for most in a single game this season. (EKU, Dec. 30)

The 32.7% from the field is the lowest shooting percentage from an EIU opponent.

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER

The first quarter was a defensive battle between the two teams; both finished shooting under 40%. The Panthers held the lead throughout the majority of the quarter, but two three-pointers in the final minute by Morehead State's Tyler Moore gave the Eagles a 15-12 lead. 

Back-to-back three-pointers seemed to be a trend, as Pace came out with two of her own to swing the momentum back towards the Panthers. Those six points put Pace at No. 15 on the career-points list passing JoAnn Archer.

Wahl was immovable down low, scoring in the paint with efficiency. She finished the quarter with six points, tying Pace for the quarter-high. Eastern Illinois finished the quarter with six assists as they found each other in transition with ease for a 31-25 lead.

Arthofer led the way in scoring for the Panthers in the third quarter, finishing with six points. Both teams struggled from the field, but Morehead State just slightly got the best of the Panthers.

Eastern Illinois blew the lead wide open in the final quarter of play. Washington put up six points to lead EIU, with Wahl not far behind with five. The Panthers shot nearly 54% from the field in the quarter and outscored the Eagles 19-9.

EIU picked up its third conference win, with the majority of the production coming in the second half of play.