EIU Women Down Georgia Southern

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Eastern Illinois cut down on its turnovers in the second half as the Panthers (4-6) led by as many as 16 points during a 57-50 win over Georgia Southern (3-8).  EIU will play Air Force on Saturday to wrap up tournament action.

The Panthers featured a balanced offensive attack in the first half as they quickly built a six point lead at 14:32 as Katlyn Payne sank her second 3-pointer of the half to put EIU up 12-6.  A lay-up by Arnisha Thomas at 11:11 gave EIU a 14-8 lead.

EIU would hold the lead in the first half until the final minute when Danielle Spencer tied the game at 20-20 with a lay-up in the paint.  Georgia Southern was able to stay in the game taking advantage of 12 first half Panther turnovers which the Eagles converted into 13 points.

Jordyne Crunk gave EIU a 22-20 halftime lead with a pair of free throws.

Taryn Olson gave the Panthers a four point lead scoring on the first EIU possession of the second half as they never trailed in the game.  A 3-pointer by Lacie Dowling cut the EIU lead to 26-25 with 16:01 to play.

Payne answered with a 3-pointer as the Panthers used a 10-0 run to extend their lead to eleven at 36-25 with 11:43 to play.  Aaliyah Gaines, Sabina Oroszova and Erica Brown all scored during the run.

Angel McGowan stopped the EIU run with a jumper at 11:13.  Gaines responded with a lay-up as the freshman guard finished with ten points for EIU.  The Panthers extended the lead to 16 points on a lay-up by Oroszova with 4:25 left to play as EIU led 47-31.

Georgia Southern knocked down three straight 3-pointers to cut the margin to single digits before Payne sank her fourth 3-pointer of the day to stop the Eagles run.  Payne had 13 points for EIU.

The Eagles closed to within seven points twice in the final three minutes but never threatened as EIU turned the ball over only four times in the second half.

Oroszova led all players with 20 points and 17 rebounds, her fifth double-double of the season.  EIU dominated play on the glass with a 52-38 rebound advantage.

Anna Claire Knight led GSU with 18 points while Spencer pulled down 13 rebounds.