East Central Reporter

Eastern Illinois women's basketball jumped ahead early and never looked back, defeating the Morehead State Eagles 79-62 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 12-3 overall and 4-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play.

"I thought we were really solid,"  said head coach Matt Bollant.  "Morehead's a good team, they're 5-1 at home, and I'm really proud of our kids.  They showed a lot of maturity after a really big win on Thursday to come out ready to play and have an edge to us."

It was a quick start for the Panthers, as Lyric Johnson's first career three-pointer gave EIU the early 6-1 lead.  The Panthers continued to keep the Eagles at arms' length, as two Macy McGlone free throws gave her 10 first-quarter points and put EIU up 20-13 with 1:41 remaining in the period.  MSU quickly pulled to within two, but a free throw and a jumper from Lariah Washington pushed it back to five at the end of the first quarter.  Washington picked right up where she left off to start the second quarter, scoring the first points to up the Panther lead to seven.  MSU responded with a 6-2 run to make it 27-24, but did not get any closer as a subsequent 7-0 run capped by a converted and-one opportunity by McGlone gave EIU a 10-point lead.  Following a stretch in which McGlone added to her first half total with five consecutive made free throws, EIU took a 40-28 lead before a bucket by Morehead State's Crystal Corley made it 40-30 at halftime.

The Panthers seized complete control in the third quarter, as a Taris Thornton three-pointer sparked a 9-3 EIU run to make it 49-33.  The Eagles managed to cut it to 13 at 51-38, but the Panthers responded once again, using an 11-4 run to stretch the lead to 20 at 62-42.  A Morehead three at the buzzer by Veronica Charles made it 62-45 going into the fourth.  The Eagles would score 17 in the final period, but EIU matched them stride-for-stride, scoring 17 of their own to make the final score 79-62.

McGlone led the Panthers with the game of her career, scoring 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 10-of-11 shooting from the free throw line to go along with 15 rebounds, both of which were career highs.  Washington had a double-double as well, scoring 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting and grabbing 11 rebounds.

"Macy, obviously, was really special throughout that game,"  said coach Bollant.  "26 points and 15 rebounds, nine offensive rebounds.  She dominated that glass, which was huge."

Thornton contributed with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting to go along with 3 rebounds.  Julia Bengtson had seven points on 3-of-5 shooting while Lyric Johnson scored six on 2-of-4 shooting.  Jackie Maulucci and Haley Cameron both came into the game in the second half and scored four and three points, respectively.

As a team, EIU out rebounded Morehead State 48-21 and recorded 16 assists on 29 made shots.

Up next, the Panthers will host the SIUE Cougars on Thursday, January 12.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5 PM CT. 

Original source can be found here