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CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team's furious comeback attempt fell just short on Tuesday afternoon, as the Lady Colonels were edged  by Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois, 75-71, at Lantz Arena.

The loss snapped EKU's five-game winning streak.

EKU (8-6, 2-1 OVC) trailed by 11 points, 59-48, with just under five minutes to play in the game; however, the Lady Colonels exploded for 10 points over the next minute to storm back into the game, as a bucket by sophomore Shelly Harper made it 59-58 with 3:43 on the clock

EIU (7-7, 2-1 OVC) pulled back ahead by five points, 70-65, when Arnisha Thomas knocked down a free throw with 57 seconds remaining in the game, but the Lady Colonels were not done yet. Freshman Michaela Hunter came up with two straight steals in EKU's full-court press, the second of which led to a layup by senior Marie Carpenter that cut the deficit to one, 70-69, with 45 ticks on the clock.

That was as close as EKU would get, though, as Eastern Illinois converted five free throws over the final 30 seconds of play to pull away and seal the win.

Carpenter paced EKU with 20 points in the game, while Harper added 16 points and senior Pilar Walker finished with 13 points and six assists. Hunter finished with a line of seven points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.

EKU out-rebound EIU in the game, 41-38.

EIU's Katlyn Payne led all players in the game with 23 points on 4-of-9 shooting from deep.

The host Panthers attempted 37 free throw shots in the game, compared to the Lady Colonels' 16.

EKU will look to bounce back on Saturday when the Lady Colonels travel to in-state rival Morehead State. Tip is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. ET.