EIU Drops Loss to Milwaukee in Men's Basketball

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois put on a massive performance in the third quarter but stumbled at the finish line losing to Milwaukee 82-71 Thursday evening. The loss marks EIU's eighth straight as the Panthers fall to 1-8 on the season while Milwaukee improves to 4-3.
 
Shakita Cox led EIU earning a career best 21 points. Cox was the only player for Eastern to score in double figures.
 
EIU started the second half down 17 points after a quick jumper from UWM's Alexis Lindstrom made it 49-32 at the 9:06 mark in the third period. Eastern came roaring back as a layup by Erica Brown with 8:34 left in the third quarter sparked a 21-5 run that would last nearly the entire period.
 
Shakita Cox earned six of her 10 second half points during that span draining two three-pointers. Alece Shumpert would add a three pointer to EIU's third quarter tally followed by Kayla Steward whose three-pointer pulled Eastern to within two points as Milwaukee led 54-52 with 1:39 left in the third period. The Panther's comeback run ended with a layup from Milwaukee's Alyssa Fischer with 45 seconds left to go. UWM scored six straight points to end the third quarter leading EIU 60-53.
 
The fourth period was a back-and-forth affair with each squad answering the other shot for shot. EIU could not break Milwaukee's seven point cushion in the fourth quarter. UWM's Jenny Lindner scored 14 points in the final period to cement Milwaukee's 82-71 victory. Lindner finished the game with 25 points and six rebounds.
 
Eastern started out the game strong jumping out to a 9-4 lead at the 7:51 mark thanks to a three-pointer and two free throws from Cox. Milwaukee then went on a 14-1 run sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from UWM's Sierra Ford-Washington as they led 17-10 with 4:59 left in the first quarter. Ford-Washington finished the game with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
 
It was a show from behind the arc throughout the first half as 12 three-pointers were made between the two squads in the opening two quarters. EIU finished the game shooting 50 percent from three-point range draining 11 threes, a new season high. This game marks the first time EIU has made 10 or more three-pointers in a game since Feb. 1, 2014 against SIU Edwardsville.
 
This game also sets a new season best for assists as EIU dished out 20 dimes. Eastern has not had a game with at least 20 assists since playing at Murray State Feb. 18, 2015 in which they earned 23 assists. Grace Lennox set a new career high doling out 10 assists.
 
Halle Stull and Shumpert finished the game with nine points each.
 
EIU has a quick turnaround as they face Stetson for the first time in school history this Sunday at 1 p.m.