SAINT CHARLES, Mo. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Thursday night when the surging Lindenwood Lions host the struggling Eastern Illinois Panthers in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball matchup at Robert F. Hyland Performance Arena. The Lions (22-7 overall) enter the contest as one of the conference’s top teams, having won seven of their last eight games. Their most recent outing was a 70-57 road victory at Tennessee Tech on Feb. 21, led by guard Aleshia Jones’ 18 points. Jones has been a consistent force, averaging 15.3 points over her last eight contests, including a 22-point, 7-rebound performance in a win over Southeast Missouri State on Feb. 14. Conversely, the Panthers (4-25) are mired in a difficult season, having lost 10 of their last 11 games. Their lone victory in that stretch was a 65-60 win at Tennessee State on Feb. 5. They are coming off a 72-63 home loss to Southern Indiana on Feb. 21, despite a team-high 17 points from forward Sydney-James Desroches. Desroches, the Panthers’ player to watch, has shown flashes, scoring 17 points with five rebounds and two blocks in that loss, but consistency has been elusive. The teams have met once already this season, with Lindenwood delivering a decisive 87-55 rout at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 21, 2025. The Lions will look to replicate that dominant performance as they continue to build momentum for the postseason. Eastern Illinois, seeking to play spoiler, will rely on Desroches and guard Tiny Lewis, who also scored 17 points in the loss to Southern Indiana, to provide an offensive spark. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central on Thursday, Feb. 26. Lindenwood’s next game is at Western Illinois on Saturday, while Eastern Illinois travels to face SIU Edwardsville the same day.