The Eastern women’s basketball team had a day off on Tuesday following its one-point loss against Bradley on Monday night.

Eastern head coach Lee Buchanan said the team would use the day off to rest.

“We’ll rest some bodies, rest some minds,” Buchanan said. “We still have to fix some defensive issues – we’re giving up too many points.”

Buchanan said the Panthers set out to hold Bradley to less than 60 points Monday, but the Braves ended up winning the game 66-65.

Had the Panthers accomplished the goal, they would’ve beaten Bradley, Buchanan said.

Even in the loss, the Panthers played better than they did Friday in the season opener against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind.

The Panthers were held to 39 points and lost by 30 points.

“We did improve,” senior forward Mariah King said. “We just need to put two halves together and get a win.”

Sallee isn’t here anymore

Following Monday’s loss, Buchanan silenced those who may have expected a smooth transition from former head coach Brady Sallee to his staff.

Although he was the associate head coach for Sallee and has been on the staff for the entire careers of everyone on the current roster, Buchanan said he’s not the same coach as his predecessor.

“I coach different than my predecessor,” Buchanan said. “(The players) are still trying to learn my coaching style.”

The players are also trying to get used to playing together again, having not played competitive basketball as a team before Friday since March.

Add to that, injuries. Players like senior forward Sydney Mitchell are still trying to recover from lingering injuries.

Mitchell, a perennial starter, hasn’t started either of the team’s first two games.

Mitchell played eight minutes Monday and could be seen on an exercise bike next to the bench between playing stints.

Late runs clinch Braves’ win

In a game in which the Panthers’ largest lead was six points and Bradley’s seven, a late run to end the first half and another to end the game catapulted the Braves to a victory.

After a slow start, the Panthers led the Braves 32-26 with 4:19 to go in the first half. Bradley ended the half on an 11-0 run to take a lead into the locker room, 37-32.

Then, leading 61-56 with 5:18 to go in the game, the Panthers were in good position to come out with a win.

But Bradley finished the game on a 10-4 run, clinching the win on Jenny Smith’s two free throws with one second left in the game.

Smith scored six of Bradley’s points during the 10-4 run, including four from the free throw line. She finished with just eight points the entire game.

The Panthers have a week off before their home game on Monday against San Jose State. They’ll play three games over the Thanksgiving Break – two on the road.

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].