Eastern Illinois can’t overcome a rough second quarter in 74-61 loss to top seeded Western Illinois.
The Panthers shot four of 21 from the field for 19 percent and zero of six from three and got outscored 17 to nine by the Leathernecks.
“We came out slow, dragging and not talking on defense like we were supposed to and just playing our game, I think that is what set us back,” senior guard Tiny Lewis said.
WIU dominated in the free throw margin in the first half specifically shooting 15 free throws compared to EIU’s two attempts.
“It’s hard, it is difficult for us, we just got to wall up and not reach or gamble, we just got to be better at controlling what we can control,” head coach Marqus McGlothan said.
In total the Leathernecks went 29 of 36 from the free throw line for 80 percent and the Panthers shot 11 of 15 for 73 percent.
Eastern turned the ball over 15 times which Western Illinois capitalized on for 15 points.
Coming into tonight’s matchup Western Illinois senior forward Mia Nicastro was sixth in the country in scoring, averaging 23 points a game and also averaging 10 rebounds a game.
Nicastro got her eight double double of the season with 33 points and 12 rebounds.
“She’s a phenomenal player, she can score from all three levels, she is athletic, she’s versatile, guarding her is a challenge so she is definitely the top player in the conference right now, I have a lot of respect for her,” junior guard Ava Stoller said.
Eastern came out more aggressive in the second half and won the third quarter 20 to 18 and took 11 free throws in the quarter as well.
“We just got to attack the rim more, shots weren’t falling tonight from the outside, so we had to find different ways to get the ball in the net,” Lewis said.
Stoller led the Panthers in scoring with 18 to go along with three rebounds.
Lewis was the second leading scorer for Eastern with 12 and added four rebounds.
Even with the loss, McGlothan believes in his team.
“Our team is just growing, so I don’t want to overlook this game but I think we have
got better and that’s our goal right now, is to continue to get better so it will prepare us to get in the tournament and make a run there,” McGlothan said.
The Panthers fell down 8-0 to nothing early in the first quarter but responded with a 6-0 run after a timeout.
Eastern could not rally all the way back and went into the 2nd quarter down 20-16.
The Panthers did not score their first point in the second quarter until Stoller knocked down a midrange jump shot to bring Eastern within six of the Leathernecks.
Western Illinois responded with a 7-0 scoring run to bring their lead to double digits at 13.
Eastern was down 37-23 going into the half.
The Panthers finished the three-game homestand 2-1.
“It’s great, we have battled a lot, we have gotten a lot of adversity this year whether it be injuries we have dealt and we had a very difficult non-conference so just to beat Tennessee Tech who were the OVC champions last year and then come back and make a statement win against Tennessee State.” Stoller said. “Those are real big wins for us, just gaining confidence, trust in each other, especially with a new team and just on to the next building from here.”
Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].
