CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois women's basketball fell at home visiting Belmont Saturday afternoon. The Bruins defeated the Panthers 86-58 improving to 16-3 overall, 6-0 OVC. EIU fell to 2-15 overall, 1-5 OVC.

Both teams traded baskets through the first half of the first quarter. The Panthers took a three point lead off a three-point field goal by Karle Pace at the 5:27 mark. Belmont's Maura Muensterman scored on the next possession to tie the game 9-9. Jenny Roy scored on a layup less than a minute later to put the Bruins up for the remainder of the game.

Karle Pace was back in the starting line-up for the Panthers. She finished the game with 13 points on 6-of-11 from the field. Pace grabbed a career-high six boards and dished out two assists. 

Taylor Steele also recorded 13 points. She was 4-of-5 from the free throw line with five rebounds and two steals. Grace McRae filled the stat line with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks for the Panthers. Danielle Berry added eight points and two assists.

Belmont shot 50 percent from the field for the game as five players finished in double-figures. Sally McCabe scored a game-leading 20 points with six rebounds. Darby Maggard recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 assists. Roy was two assists short of a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.

Maura Muensterman was 5-of-9 from the arc with 15 points for Belmont. Caitlyn Yost added 10 points from the bench.

The Panthers will return to action Thursday Jan. 18 at home to take on the visiting UT Martin.