EIU Women Drop Second Loss In Row

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Sophomore Carmen Tellez set a new career high with 18 points Wednesday night, but it would not be enough as the Eastern Illinois women's basketball team dropped their second game in a row falling at Tennessee State 69-58.

Following the loss EIU goes to 7-15 overall and 3-7 in the OVC while TSU improves to 9-11 and 4-6.

Tellez led the way for EIU from three-point range going 6-10 from beyond the arc on her way to 18 points, two rebounds, and four steals.

Erica Brown recorded eight points and six rebounds while her two blocks tied her for eighth all-time at EIU in a season with 44 blocks this year.

TSU jumped out in front early in the first quarter scoring the game's first five points. The Panthers cut the lead down to two points following Tellez's first three-pointer of the game at the 6:51 mark to make it 7-5. The Lady Tigers answered with a 6-0 run eventually halted by yet another trey from Tellez.

EIU finished the first quarter trailing TSU 17-11 after shooting 26.7 percent in the period.

The Lady Tigers pushed their lead to double-figures early in the second quarter as EIU went cold from the floor. The Panthers did not score their first bucket of the period until the 4:13 mark as Grace Lennox drained a jumper to make it 23-15.

The Panthers managed to stay within 10 points of TSU throughout the second period thanks to eight turnovers committed by the Lady Tigers. EIU was able to get within six points with 2:40 left in the first half following yet another three-point bucket from Tellez to make it 26-20. Tellez finished the first half with 12 points.

TSU closed out the first half on a 10-2 run before another trey from Tellez sent the teams into the locker room with the Lady Tigers leading 36-25.

Tennessee State finished the first half out-rebounding EIU 28-14 resulting in 12 second chance points compared to two for the Panthers.

EIU attempted to get back within 10 points as Zharia Lenoir opened the second half draining a three pointer, but TSU rattled off the next six points to keep the Panthers at bay. The Panthers could not seem to break Tennessee State's 10 point lead as the Lady Tigers were able to answer EIU shot-for-shot throughout the period.

Lennox closed out the third quarter with a layup and a foul to make it 53-43 at the end of the third quarter. Lennox scored seven points in the third period alone finishing the game with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The final period of play was a similar story as both teams went back-and-forth throughout the quarter. Tennessee State was able to answer almost every Panther bucket building their lead to as high as 14 points following free throws from TSU's Tia Wooten to make it 65-51 with 1:41 to play.

Tennessee State finished the game with four players in double-figures led by Wooten with 14 points. Both Diamond Betty and I'mani Davis finished with 13 points each as Davis recorded a double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

The Lady Tigers finished the game out-rebounding EIU 50-35.

The Panthers return to Lantz Arena this Saturday to take on Tennessee Tech at 1 p.m.