Box Score

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CHARLESTON, Ill.  – The Panther women's basketball team shot a season-low 30.6 percent from the floor and was out rebounded for only the fourth time this year as they dropped a 59-54 contest to SIU Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon inside Lantz Arena. EIU falls to 21-6 overall and 12-2 in Ohio Valley Conference action.
 
After trailing 28-22 at the half, the Cougars (16-9, 10-4 OVC) used a 17-2 run to start the second stanza, taking a 39-30 advantage and a lead they would never relinquish. EIU got within one (42-41) on a Ta'Kenya Nixon basket with 7:40 remaining in the game, but the Panthers could only close the gap to three points for the duration of the contest.
 
For the second consecutive game, Nixon was the lone Panther to score in double figures as the junior guard netted 19 points. The Michigan City, Ind., native also had eight rebounds to go along with a game-high six assists and five steals.
 
Senior Chantelle Pressley had eight rebounds, six points and a game-high three blocks in her final game inside Lantz Arena. Two other players added six points as Katlyn Payne and Kelsey Wyss both sank two three pointers.
 
EIU was out rebounded 59-54, due largely in part to SIU Edwardsville's Raven Berry who grabbed a game-high 22 rebounds. She also added 15 points in only the Cougars second ever win over EIU and first win over Panther head coach Brady Sallee. EIU drops to 17-2 all-time against SIU Edwardsville, respectively.
 
Jazmin Hill paced the Cougar offense with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Freshman Katie Hempen also added nine points, including two free throws with four seconds remaining in the game to preserve the Cougar victory.
 
Both teams shot under 33 percent from the floor as SIU Edwardsville was 20-for-62 from the floor and EIU was 19-for-62. The Panthers went 11-for-15 from the charity stripe while the Cougars were 13-for-16.
 
The loss snapped a 17-game home win streak and ended what would have been only the second undefeated home season in school history and first during the Division I era.

The Panthers conclude regular-season action with two road OVC games. EIU faces Morehead State on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 4:15 p.m. before traveling to Eastern Kentucky for a 3 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 29.