Hot-shooting Eastern Illinois deals Tech 76-56 OVC road loss
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois kept pace in the hunt
for the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference championship Thursday night,
claiming a 76-56 homecourt win over Tennessee Tech in Lantz
Arena.
The Panthers (14-7 overall) improved to 8-2 in the league, placing
them just a half-game back of Murray State. The Golden Eagles saw
their record slip to 4-17 overall and 2-8 in the conference.
Meagan Lyons and Blair Bowens each scored 14 points to lead the
Golden Eagles in scoring. Bowens added seven rebounds, and raised
her career scoring total to 968 points as she aims to become the
25th player in school history to hit the 1,000-point mark.
Guards Allison Price and Tacarra Hayes added seven points each for
the Golden Eagles.
Center Rachel Galligan was the big weapon Thursday for the
Panthers. She was 6-for-7 from the field and made all 10 of her
free throw tries on the way to a game-best 22 points.
Maggie Kloak also reached double figures, going 3-for-4 from the
field and 9-for-10 at the line for 15 points. Ellen Canale, Ashley
Thomas and Lindsey Kluempers chipped in with nine points
apiece.
Eastern Illinois shot the ball well, hitting 56 percent from the
field (21-for-37). The Panthers were 29-for-33 at the free throw
line for 88 percent. Tech hit 35 percent (19-for-54) from the field
and 65 percent (13-for-20) at the line.
The Golden Eagles wrap up their four-game road stretch with a game
Saturday evening at Southeast Missouri. Tech returns home to Eblen
Center next Thursday when it hosts Eastern Kentucky at 5:30
p.m.
Tickets for the game are available at the Athletic Ticket Office in
Eblen Center, or by calling (931) 372-3940.
