Eastern women’s basketball will have the chance Friday to win three consecutive games for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

After defeating Tennessee-Martin 81-70 and Murray State 52-47 in the past week, the Panthers (3-12, 2-5) will try to win their third consecutive game against non-conference foe Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne (3-15).

The Mastodons have struggled this season, and like the Panthers had a nine-game losing streak earlier this year. The Mastodons and Panthers also have three of the same teams on their schedules. Both teams lost to Indiana State and IUPUI-Indianapolis. However, IPFW lost to Murray State 79-62.

Statistically the two teams look the same as well. Eastern is scoring an average of 60.1 points per game and giving up 72.2 points per game. IPFW averages 65.4 points per game and allows 80.3 points against.

Neither team has a standout scorer. Eastern’s leading scorer, junior guard Lauren Dailey, averages 12.9 points per game and IPFW’s leading scorer, junior forward Amy Gearlds, averages 14.8 points a contest.

“If you look at our records it is very similar,” Eastern head coach Linda Wunder said. “But from last year, they are a vastly improved team.”

The Panthers beat the Mastodons by 18 (78-60) when the two teams met a year ago.

Gearlds also leads the team in assists with 49 and steals 25. She has also launched 124 three-pointers this season, while making 35.

“She likes to shoot the three,” Wunder said. “Or she can fake the shot and put it on the floor and score.”

Wunder will probably not juggle her roster for the non-conference affair to give her starters a rest.

“First thing we are trying to do is win a basketball game,” Wunder said. “I’d like to be able to (rest players), but the first priority is to win the game.”