CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Lindenwood women's basketball team (6-18, 4-10 OVC) fought til the end on Saturday afternoon, but their comeback fell just short against the Panthers of Eastern Illinois (12-15, 9-5 OVC) by a final score of 68-62.

GAME OVERVIEW
Heading into the first media timeout of the afternoon in the first period, both squads were going back and forth with the game tied at 12 each. Eastern Illinois would go on a 7-0 ro end the first period to put themselves up 19-12. Lindenwood was held to 5-16 shooting in the first period while EIU hit 3-6 from deep.

Eastern Illinois extended their lead to as much as 15 points in the second quarter heading into halftime leading 38-24. Justis Odom and Ellie Brueggemann both had five points in the quarter combining four four of the five made field goals in the second period. Taris Thornton had 10 for EIU heading into the break.

Lindenwood's offense was firing on all cylinders in third quarter as they cut into Eastern's lead. The Lions went on an 8-2 run to start the third including a key steal and layup by Mya Skoff. Brueggemann cut the lead to as few as three after a fast break three-pointer, but EIU close the quarter on a 10-5 run to push the lead back to eight. LU shot 61.5% from the field in the third while forcing EIU into eight turnovers.

The Lions' offense kept the pressure on the Panthers in the fourth quarter getting it as close as four points before EIU got a big offensive team rebound with 1:41 left to play which resulted in a Ellie Buzzelle three. Alyssa Nielsen made a late three to cut the lead to six as LU suffered their 10th loss in Ohio Valley Confernece play.

Odom has a career-high in points on Saturday scoring 21 on 7-13 shooting. Brueggemann also had 15 points on a team high six rebounds. Lindenwood shot 43.1% from the field on Saturday while the Panthers shot 39.3% including 9-18 from three-point range.

GAME LEADERS
Justis Odom (21 points, five rebounds, two steals)
Ellie Brueggemann(15 points, six rebounds, two assists)
Alyssa Nielsen (12 points, three rebounds)

UP NEXT
Lindenwood heads back home to Hyland Arena in St. Charles, Mo. for their final two home games of the season starting on Thursday, Feb. 22 against UT Martin at 5:00 p.m. CT. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.