Jan. 20, 2010

RICHMOND, Ky. - Despite a valiant second-half comeback, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville dropped a 58-53 decision at Eastern Kentucky in women's college basketball.

SIUE, 4-17, was down by 21 points with 12:18 to play and pulled to within three points with less than a minute to play against the future Ohio Valley Conference opponent. SIUE Coach Amanda Levens was pleased with the Cougar comeback.

"We played very well the last 10 minutes of the game," said Levens. "That lead was just too much to overcome." SIUE's defense held Eastern Kentucky without a field goal over the final 9:30 of the game.

Courtney Kenner and Michaela Herrod led the second-half charge. The duo scored 10 points each in the second half. Kenner finished as the team's leading scorer with 13 points.

"Courtney was a spark plug on both ends of the floor," said Levens.

The Cougars dug in on defense in the second half. And that translated into a stronger offense, noted Levens. Ashley Bey scored 12 points and added four assists to join Kenner and Herrod in double figures.

Eastern Kentucky was the aggressor early on, pulling ahead on 14-of-30 shooting from the field in the first half. The Colonels led by 13 in the first half and then extended the lead to 21 points midway through the second half.

Shakeyia Colyer led all scorers with 15 points. Michaelea Kleist added 10 points for EKU, which evened its record at 9-9.

SIUE, which shot 19 of 65 for the game, took care of the basketball. SIUE committed a season-low nine turnovers and forced 23 turnovers from Eastern Kentucky.

The Cougars now return home for a matchup Monday against another future OVC opponent. SIUE entertains UT Martin in a 7 p.m. game at the Vadalabene Center.

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