NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Eastern Illinois Panthers built a commanding halftime lead and withstood a second-half surge to defeat the Tennessee State Tigers 65-60 in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Howard Gentry Complex.

Eastern Illinois led 33-22 at halftime after holding Tennessee State to eight second-quarter points. The Tigers rallied after the break, but the Panthers’ consistent scoring across all four quarters proved sufficient. Tiny Lewis led all scorers with 19 points for Eastern Illinois. XaiOnna Whitfield scored 14 points for Tennessee State.

The Panthers improved to 4-20 overall. The Tigers fell to 3-19. Attendance was 357.