Eastern Illinois women’s basketball celebrated its seniors as the Panthers stayed undefeated at home after an 85-52 win over Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) on Saturday at Groniger Arena.

Eastern has five seniors that were honored before the game: guards Alex Rouse and Kiyley Flowers and forwards Jayda Johnston, Ellie Colson and Macy McGlone.

Rouse, Flowers and Johnston transferred in for the 2024-2025 season, making it their first year at Eastern.

“We were so proud of every single one individually and our team as a whole, so I wouldn’t want to have a senior night anywhere else,” Johnston said. “Everything happens for a reason, and I transferred here, and I’m still thankful for it.”

Colson was injured and could not play in the game, but head coach Marqus McGlothan made sure that she still had her moment. Colson started in the game and took a shot clock violation before she was subbed out. She then got a standing ovation as she finished her four-year career at Eastern.

“It meant a lot to have teammates and coaches that wanted to support me and find a way for me to still be involved,” Colson said. “Marcus has done a phenomenal job at that for anybody that’s been injured, so it means the world to me.”

Eastern is now 13-0 at home this season and is 16-0 since last season at home. This is just the second time in program history that the Panthers have gone undefeated at home. The last time was in the 1980-1981 season.

“I just want to give my thanks and my gratitude and my appreciation to EIU,” McGlothan said. “We wouldn’t be undefeated without the support that they gave us at home and that because of our atmosphere, it allowed us to play with the confidence that we needed to play at home.”

Eastern started out fast as the team went on a 7-0 run within the first five minutes that turned into an 18-3 run throughout the first seven minutes of the game.

The first quarter finished with Eastern on top 27-10. McGlone helped the fast start as she had 10 of her 27 points in the first quarter.

“For some reason, I just kind of get going more in the second half, but today I felt good right away,” McGlone said. “Like I said earlier, emotions were running high, so maybe that had something to do with it.”

McGlone also finished the game with 19 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Eastern was able to get some more help from redshirt sophomore forward Sydney-James Desroches. She tied her career high as she scored 13 points and three rebounds. She said that she credits God and McGlothan for her recent success.

“I really just think just trusting the process with God and I feel like if I just trust in Him, everything else will come,” Desroches said. “And Marcus had conversations with us, and that’s just what boosts my confidence.”

After the first quarter, the Panthers never gave up the lead, and SEMO never came within 10 points of Eastern.

Eastern was able to hold SEMO to only 29% from the field while shooting 45% as a team.

The Panthers also out-rebounded SEMO 46-35 throughout the game.

This was the final regular season game of the year, and now Eastern looks ahead to the Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

Desroches said the preparation for the tournament will be the same as usual.

“So just preparing the way we’ve been preparing. We’re very big on little details, film, the way we practice with high energy,” Desroches said. “So not taking any team for granted, going in with the mentality that we’re the best.”

The OVC tournament starts on Wednesday March 5. Eastern will play the winner of the 7 seeded, Western Illinois, and the 6 seeded, UT Martin, on Thursday March 6 in Evansville, Indiana.

Patrick Schmitz can be reached at 581-2812 or at pfschmitz@eiu.edu.