Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: OVC Tournament Guide

Senior forward Rachel Galligan jumps to make a shot during Eastern's double overtime loss to Austin Peay on Saturday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn. (Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

Lost in the disappointment with the Eastern women's basketball team's loss to Austin Peay Saturday was yet another record broken by senior forward Rachel Galligan.

Galligan's 24 points gave her 582 for the season, breaking Eastern's single-season record for most points scored.

JoAnn Archer, who set it during the 1980-81 season, previously held the record.

With the season likely over, Galligan's final numbers include being Eastern's all-time leader in points, blocked shots, free throw attempts and free throws made. She finished her career fourth in career rebounds, single season scoring and also has program records in free throws made in a game, season and career and blocks in a game, season and career.


Thomas feeling great

Eastern junior guard Ashley Thomas was supposed to be out for the season with a back injury she suffered two months ago.

There were worries about how the injury would affect the rest of her career going forward.

The team learned that Thomas was going to be available for Eastern's stretch run, and she played limited minutes in Eastern's victories against Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech a week ago.

But it was not until Saturday's semifinal victory against the Lady Tigers that Thomas got into the full swing of things for the first time.

The reserve guard came off the bench to score 12 points and haul in six rebounds in 26 minutes of action.

In Saturday's championship game loss to Austin Peay, Thomas played 18 minutes and scored six points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists.

"It feels great to be back in the mix," Thomas said. "I don't mind getting bumped around as long as I'm out there helping my team. That's all that really matters.

With four starters graduating, Thomas will likely be the Panthers' starting shooting guard next season.


Top seed upset

The Panthers were not the only team upset by the Lady Govs this weekend.

Austin Peay shocked the top-seeded Murray State Racers Friday afternoon to reach the title game, ending the Racers' bid for back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference Tournament titles.

Murray State, who has beaten Eastern four consecutive times, including in the OVC Tournament Championship a year ago, continued their high-scoring ways as senior guards Ashley Hayes, Amber Guffey and Paige Guffey combined for 79 points. However, the Lady Govs answered Murray State shot-for-shot as they had five players score in double-figures, led by senior forward April Thomas, who had a career-high 25 points.

Likewise, Murray State was unable to get anything from anyone other than Hayes and the Guffeys, as the entire rest of their roster combined for just five points.


Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.

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