CHARLESTON, Ill.- Five players scored in double-digits Saturday afternoon to power Eastern Illinois women's basketball to their first win this season. The Panthers defeated visiting Evansville 79-52.

The Purple Aces came out hot in the first quarter connecting on eight field goals with two from behind the arc. Brooke Dossett led Evansville with six first quarter points while Hannah Noe and Kerri Gasper each added five. Grace McRae scored seven for the Panthers, but Evansville entered the second quarter with an 18-13 lead.

The Panthers stepped up their defense in the second quarter holding the Purple Aces to only five points. They were held scoreless for five minutes while the Panthers took the lead. EIU capitalized on Evansville's eight turnovers converting them into nine points. EIU ended the game with 13 points off turnovers.

EIU entered the third quarter with a seven point advantage over the Purple Aces. Taylor Steele came off the bench for the Panthers connecting on 3-of-4 field goals and three rebounds. Jennifer Nehls scored seven points for EIU and shot 50 percent from their field in the third quarter. The Panthers bench score 27 points to the Purple Aces'  eight behind Steele's career and season high 10 points. Lana Marov added seven.

Grace Lennox shot a perfect 4-4 from the field in the fourth quarter helping extend the Panthers lead. EIU shot 64.7 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from behind the arc in the fourth quarter leading them to their 79-52 win over Evansville. Dossett finished with a game high 17 points for Evansville while Gasper added 11 points and four rebounds.

Four of the Panthers' starters finished with double-digit points. Lennox finished with a team high 14 points and dished out eight assists. Danielle Berry set career highs in two categories with 12 points and eight rebounds. Nehls added 12 points while McRae finished with 11 points and five rebounds. 

EIU scored 40 of their points in the paint and out-rebounded Evansville 47-32, while shooting season highs from the field and behind the arc with 41.8 percent and 31.6 percent, respectively.

The Panthers return to action on Nov. 25 and 26 at the Saint Joseph's Thanksgiving Tournament. Both games are set to start at 1 p.m. CT.