What a difference a year makes. 

Last December, the Eastern women’s basketball team suffered one of their worst losses of the season at the hands of Fort Wayne, losing 93-77.

These two teams faced off again on Thursday, and the result was much different. 

Eastern dominated in all phases of the game and won 72-63. The only reason it was so close was that the Panthers eased off the accelerator a bit too soon.

Eastern entered the fourth quarter up by 23 points, and led by as many 28 points in the game. 

Fort Wayne shot 44.2 percent from the field and committed 26 turnovers. 

Looking back on last season’s matchup, Fort Wayne shot 70.8 percent in the game and led by as many as 20. 

But the Fort Wayne game is not the only sign that the Panthers have improved. 

They already have three win this season in only four games. 

Last season they had three wins in 29 games. 

It is still early in the season, and conference play does not begin for a month and a half, but the early returns are promising. 

Of course nothing really matters until conference play begins, but a decisive win against an opponent like Fort Wayne can be a good measuring stick. 

The Summit League, in which Fort Wayne plays, is very similar to the OVC.

The first three games for the Panthers were mismatches and it was difficult glean any useful information from these matchups. 

They beat Oakland City 102-43 in the opening game and then followed it up with a 35-point loss to Butler, potentially their toughest opponent all season.

The Panthers then responded by beating Lincoln Christian 97-34. 

Once OVC play starts, it will become clearer if the Fort Wayne game is an accurate portrayal of the Panthers. 

If the Panthers can play well all season, they can also potentially echo what the women’s soccer team did this season. 

After finishing in last place in 2017, the women’s soccer team finished in third place this and advanced to the OVC Tournament semifinals. 

There is obviously a lot of basketball left of the schedule, but the Panthers are showing signs of remaining competitive. They have also done what they’ve done so far despite the struggles of redshirt-senior Grace Lennox. 

She has yet to find her shot as she returns from a season-ending knee injury last season. Once she does, the Panthers can be a force in the OVC. 

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]