The Panther’s women’s basketball team is hoping to have a short memory. That way, they will be able to forget the tough start they have suffered through so far this season.

Stuck in between a pair of three-game losing streaks, this season has been one victory for the Panthers (1-6). The team has been inconsistent and has had a hard time putting together a solid effort for an entire game.

But the team has not had much time for consistent practice this year, and head coach Linda Wunder believes this is one reason the Panthers have struggled this season.

“The break should have a positive effect on the team,” Wunder said. “We have not had a lot of practice time inbetween games this year, so we should have time to regroup during break. We will probably throw in some new wrinkles for the team as well.”

One new wrinkle could be junior center Pam O’Connor, who has been sidelined so far this season with a knee injury. O’Connor is in Chicago today for a doctor’s appointment where she might be cleared to play. O’Connor is a preseason All-OVC first-team selection and led Eastern in scoring with 18 points per game.

Eastern will need to use this time to its benefit because things do not get any easier when play resumes.

The Panthers will have two consecutive road games when they travel to Louisville on Dec. 22 and Indiana State on Dec. 30.

The matchup against Louisville this season will provide the Panthers with an opportunity to match up against an upper echelon program.

The Panthers do have a chance in this matchup because the Cardinals have struggled to a 1-2 start to their young season.

“It is always interesting going to a big name school like Louisville because it is an opportunity to see

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what can happen,” said Wunder. “But the focus will be on our team and how well we can play.”

Indiana State will also prove to be a challenge for the Panthers because they are playing well too. The Sycamores have started their season off hot by winning their first three games of the season.

After these two games Eastern will host Chicago State before the team starts its conference schedule.

Competition will be tough for the Panthers within the Ohio Valley Conference.

They hope to be a little more successful against familiar teams. Coach Wunder often uses the early non-conference opponents to prepare her team for their conference counterparts.

“The non-conference schedule always seems to help the team during the conference schedule. The tough games early always seems to help make us better later on in the year,” Wunder said.