EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Morgan State hit 10 three-pointers Friday to spoil Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's season opener, winning 73-70 in women's basketball action at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE's Jazmin Hill pulled SIUE to within one point at 71-70 on a three-pointer with 41 seconds left. After a pair of free throws by Morgan State's Brittany Dodson, Hill tried to tie it up with another three-pointer but rimmed it out. After an ensuing rebound, Raven Berry pulled SIUE back within one point on a bucket with two seconds left.

"Jazmin's shot was about two inches from tying the game. I loved that she shot it. I thought she played well," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens.

"Raven had a great rebound at the end and put it back. She's got to pass that out, and we have to shoot a three. If we're in that situation again I don't think Raven puts that back. She's going to find a shooter. Do we make the three? Who knows? We have to give ourselves a chance to tie," added Levens.

After being fouled, Dodson would convert two more free throws with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to close out the game.

SIUE picked up more than half of its offense from three freshmen off the bench. Hill, Amanda Ledbetter and Allyssa Decker each scored 12 points. Decker posted a double-double with 10 rebounds in her first collegiate outing.

"Alyssa played fantastic and gave us a great spark off the bench. I probably waited too long to go to her. She did a great job when she got in there," said Levens.

Morgan State, now 1-0, finished with five players in double figures, including 19 from Erin Hawkins. DeKeisha Mathis pumped in four three-pointers and finished with 14 points. Dodson and Theresa Davis added 12 points each while Brittany Noel scored 10.

The Bears were active in the offensive end and then took advantage of their opportunities from the free throw line, hitting 17 of 20.

The lead changed 18 times in the contest as both teams went on short spurts to put themselves ahead. Morgan State led by as many as eight points in the first half before taking a 32-30 lead at halftime.

"They're a good team at keeping you off balance. We played into that in the first half big time. We didn't want to play their pace in the second half," Levens said.

Sydney Stahlberg was the lone starter scoring in double figures. She scored 10 points and grabbed a team-best four steals.

"She's our hardest working player period," Levens said.

SIUE returns to the hardwood Tuesday when it entertains Wichita State in a home contest at the Vadalabene Center. Game time is 7 p.m.

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