Charleston, Ill. --- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team dropped a 65-57 decision to Eastern Illinois Saturday night in Lantz Arena.

The Lady Tigers fall to 3-6 (1-1 OVC) while the Panthers move to 3-7 (2-0 OVC).

Following a lay-up by Tiffany Jackson to open up the half, the score went back and forth over the next 13 minutes of play. With the game tied 16-16, Eastern Illinois outscored Tennessee State 9-2 to go ahead 25-18 with 3:59 left to play. A jumper by Kendra Appling sparked a 10-3 run by the Lady Tigers to close out the half and knot the score 28-28.

TSU struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the second half, as the Lady Tigers only managed six points in eight minutes. EIU used the TSU scoring drought to capture a 43-34 advantage at the 11:56 mark. The Panthers held on to double digit leads until a made three throw by LaDona Pierce cut the deficit down to nine points at the 3:53 mark. 

A 7-0 run capped by a Jackson jumper would bring the Lady Tigers to within two (53-55) with 1:41 left on the clock. But a jumper by Megan Edwards on the ensuing possession would open the lead back up to four (57-53).  Despite TSU's best efforts to cut into the lead, EIU held on to the lead for the rest of the game.

Jackson tallied a season-high 16 points in addition to six boards and two steals for TSU while Oby Okafor recorded her 16^th career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Kendra Appling scored 10.

The Lady Tigers next travel to Indianapolis, Indiana to face Butler University in non-conference action on Sunday, December 16.