When Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” clicked her heels at the end of the movie, chanting, “There’s no place like home,” she could have been talking about the mindset of the Eastern women’s basketball team.

After a brutal stretch in which the Panthers have played six of their nine Ohio Valley Conference games on the road, they return home tonight to face Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles represent the Panthers’ only conference road victory.

Following Eastern’s 89-70 victory in Cookeville, Tenn., the Panthers have lost six of their last seven conference games and seven straight overall.

This home stretch features seven of the next nine games at home, the Panthers (5-13, 2-7 OVC) know this may be their last chance to turn around a disappointing season.

According to Eastern sophomore forward Rachel Galligan, Lantz Arena represents the Panthers’ postseason hopes.

“It’s a different atmosphere playing at home,” Galligan said. “Any time you’re on the road, it’s tough. But, when you come home, nothing matches the support of the fans and the comfort level of going to your classes, sleeping in your own beds, not traveling.”

Eastern head coach Brady Sallee agrees with Galligan, saying the road trips that begin on Wednesday and end on Saturday night, take a toll on a team, especially a team that is dominated with five freshmen and six sophomores.

“It’s nice being at home,” Sallee said. “It takes a little bit of the pressure off and it gives the players a comfort level. When you’re on the road, there’s not much you can do besides stay in the hotel, watch TV and practice. It gets to be repetitive.”

Even though Eastern crushed Tennessee Tech (5-12, 4-4) in the conference opener, the Golden Eagles now have Meagan Lyons back in the lineup.

The 5-foot-7 sophomore, whom Galligan refers to as “their best player,” didn’t play in first game because of injury.

Since returning from injury, Lyons has averaged 9.5 points per game, complimenting Kendall Cavin (12.3 ppg).

“(Lyons) is a huge part of their offense,” Galligan said. “We’re gonna have to do our scouting on her and find out what she’s all about.”

While Lyons remains a concern for Eastern, the Panthers must also be concerned with their perimeter defense. In the last two losses to Tennessee-Martin and Eastern Kentucky, the Panthers have surrendered 20 three-pointers.

“Any time a team is shooting that well is a dagger in the heart,” Galligan said. “The way we’re playing defense, everyone’s having breakout games. It’s been a tough road trip, but now we’re home.”