EIU Women Claim Second Straight

NASHVILLE - Katlyn Payne hit a 3-pointer with 1:24 remaining as Eastern Illinois closed the game on a 10-2 run as the Panthers won their second straight road game with a 54-48 win at Belmont on Saturday afternoon.

Payne led EIU with 16 points as they improved to 12-13 overall, 7-7 in the OVC.  Belmont fell to 12-15, 9-5 in the OVC.  EIU will host UT Martin on Thursday night for Senior Night at Lantz Arena, tip off is 7 p.m.

Jordyn Luffman had hit her fifth 3-pointer of the game with 1:49 to play giving Belmont a 46-44 lead.  Payne then answered for the Panthers with a 3-pointer followed by a lay-up after stealing the ball on the next possession.

Taryn Olson broke open for a coast-to-coast pass from Sabina Oroszova as her lay-up made it 52-48 with 13 seconds left.  Morgan Palombizio sank two free throws in the final three seconds.  Oroszova had a team-high seven assists to go with 13 rebounds and eight points.  Olson had eight points.