Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis looks a lot like a familiar conference team, Eastern Kentucky, in that they apply relentless pressure on the ball.

Eastern women’s basketball head coach Lee Buchanan said that’s why he schedules games against teams like IUPUI — to prepare for the games that count in the Ohio Valley Conference.

IUPUI’s defensive pressure will be a good challenge for the Panthers, Buchanan said, because it forces the offense to work harder and make more direct, decisive passes.

Working harder will be a test for the Panthers because the team is struggling to do so on a consistent basis, senior guard Ta’Kenya Nixon said.

“Our big, big problem is playing hard all the time and doing what we’re supposed to do,” Nixon said.

“We’re within 1.6 seconds of being 3-2,” Buchanan said, referring to the last-second loss to Bradley on Nov. 12. “It’s not the end of the world.”

The Panthers are trying to start to settle into a groove, but the Thanksgiving break and the week-long break for school finals throws everything off, Buchanan said.

Also, players like senior guard Kelsey Wyss, junior guard Jordyne Crunk and red-shirt sophomore guard Katlyn Payne are shooting the ball well.

“All three (players) have the potential to hit four, five, six threes in a game. If that happens one of these games, look out,” Buchanan said

Mariah King and Nixon have consistently been the Panthers’ best players for the past few years and teams are starting to try to force a different player to beat them.

“We have to do a better job of being prepared and learn how to score and still be ourselves within the offense.”

The Panthers will focus on IUPUI’s best player, DeAirra Goss. Goss averages 15 points per game and is the only player on the team who scores in double figures each game.

The Panthers will try to pick up a home win at 7 p.m. Thursday in Lantz Arena.

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-2812 or admcnamee@eiu.edu.