Preview: Struggling Panthers Face Eagles in OVC Women’s Basketball Clash

HALDEMAN, Ky. (Interstat) — The Morehead State Eagles look to continue their climb in the Ohio Valley Conference standings when they host the struggling Eastern Illinois Panthers in a women’s basketball matchup Saturday at E.T. Johnson Arena.

The game tips off at 1 p.m. EST on Jan. 24, 2026.

Morehead State (11-9 overall) enters on a positive note after a 63-53 home victory over Western Illinois on Thursday. The Eagles have won four of their last five games, finding success with a balanced attack. In the win, Violet McNece came off the bench to score a team-high 18 points in just 20 minutes, showcasing the depth that has keyed the Eagles’ recent surge. Kate Dike added 17 points and Marie Sepp dished out five assists.

Eastern Illinois (3-17) seeks to halt a two-game skid following a 73-57 road loss at Southern Indiana on Thursday. The Panthers have found wins hard to come by this season, with their last victory coming on Jan. 10. They will lean on guard Sydney-James Desroches, who scored 14 points and blocked five shots in the loss to Southern Indiana. Desroches has been a consistent contributor, averaging 12.3 points over her last seven games, including a 20-point effort at Southeast Missouri State on New Year’s Day.

The Panthers’ defense, which allows an average of 68.5 points per game, will be tested by a Morehead State squad averaging 65.2 points at home this season. The Eagles won the earlier meeting this season, 67-49, on Jan. 8 behind 17 points from Dike.

Historically, the home court has been an advantage in this series. Morehead State will look to maintain that edge as it aims for a season sweep, while Eastern Illinois hopes to find a spark for the second half of the conference schedule.

Following this game, Morehead State will host SIU Edwardsville on Jan. 29. Eastern Illinois travels to face Tennessee-Martin on the same date.