In losing five straight games and seven of eight overall, the women’s basketball team is all in agreement on the negatives that have put a damper on what looked like a breakout season.

After a convincing 89-70 victory at Tennessee Tech to open the Ohio Valley Conference season, the Panthers were riding high, looking like a team that would exceed preseason expectations.

But a discouraging 67-62 loss to a Tennessee State team that had lost 21 conference games in a row just went to show how inconsistent the Panthers are this season.

Eastern head coach Brady Sallee said a lack of talent isn’t the problem.

“We’ve got multiple players that are really good players,” he said. “Our talent level has increased dramatically.”

While Sallee pays lip service to his team’s potential, he also knows that with youth comes inconsistency.

“We’ve got to learn how to win basketball games,” Sallee said.

Sallee took it a step further; using an analogy that would suggest he might have took an auto mechanic class in his day.

“We’re like an old car,” he said. “We threw a couple brand new spark plugs in there, but the engine still needs some work.”

Sallee looks to Murray State formula

At this point in conference play last season, the Panthers were 4-3. The Panthers are currently 2-5, sitting in ninth place in the 11-team OVC.

Sallee compares the Panthers to a Murray State team from a year ago. Last year, the Lady Racers finished seventh in the conference with a 9-11 record. They were a young team led by talented post player Joi Scott.

With the return of the Racer’s Scott and Murray State’s roster a year older, the Racers have climbed to the top of the OVC with a 6-1 record.

It’s something that Sallee hopes to duplicate.

“If you look at the top of the league, it’s the teams that are older and more mature,” Sallee said. “Growing up is definitely part of it.”

Shooting woes

One thing the Panthers don’t have this year compared to last season is a consistent third scorer. After freshman Jessica Huffman (17.9 points per game) and sophomore Rachel Galligan (17.8 ppg), the Panthers next highest scorer is senior Meggie Eck (10.4 ppg).

The senior guard has struggled from three-point range during the Panthers’ five-game losing streak, making 8-of-26 (30.7 percent).

“Personally, it’s something I’m disappointed with,” Eck said. “It seems like (the shooting slumps) always happen when you’re losing.”

While Eck and freshman guard Ashley Thomas (9.4 ppg) have traded third-scorer duties, Eck knows the impact her outside shooting can have on a team with a dominant post player in Galligan.

“I know I’m a good shooter,” Eck said. “It’s just a slump. I’m not too concerned with it.”