The Eastern women’s basketball team suffered a loss to Northern Illinois Friday in its season opener, but that loss should not set the tone for the rest of the season.

Eastern had less turnovers than Northern Illinois and pulled down more offensive rebounds than the Huskies as well.

However, as coach Matt Bollant pointed out following the game, the Panthers, at times, lacked on defense. With Northern forward Kelly Smith going 11-15 in field goals and making half of her free throws.

When Smith went up for some shots, she did so unguarded and unchallenged by Eastern. In fact, Smith scored the most points between the two teams with 26 points.

To further downgrade the defense, Eastern had just 20 defensive rebounds to Northern Illinois’ 37. The Panthers were out-rebounded across the board, ending the game with 33 rebounds to the Huskies’ 49.

The Panthers also put the Huskies at the free throw line too many times. Free throws can win games, and when a team is 14-18 at the line, like the Huskies, it makes a difference.

Despite the downfalls of Friday’s game, Eastern should not be counted out right away. Northern Illinois defeated the Panthers in the teams’ last meeting in the 2015-2016 season 79-63 Eastern ended at 3-12 overall that season.

Bollant and senior guard Grace Lennox have continued to emphasize the amount of work the team has put in off the court. They advertise a better, more prepared squad, and that showed in the Panthers’ two exhibition wins prior to the season opener.

This is a team to believe in this year, and a season-opening loss should not define the rest of the season. The team chemistry is evident just by watching how smoothly the game flows, and perhaps that is, in part, thanks to the new attitude Bollant has brought to the team in his first season as head coach.

There is a drive that seems to radiate from each player, and this is a team that will not give up without a fight. When the Panthers are down, they push back and fight.

Wright State is the next test for the team. Last season, Wright State downed the Panthers 71-61. Eastern should be able to keep up with Wright State this time around; however, it’s too early in the season to predict how Wright State will match up with the Panthers.

Kaitlin Cordes can be reached at 581-2812 or kcordes@eiu.edu