MURRAY, Ky. - Kayla Lowe scored a game-high 18 points Thursday as Murray State defeated Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 72-62 in women's college basketball action at CFSB Center.

Lowe scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half. Murray State, 3-9, hit 11 of its first 15 shots from the field in the second half and shot 61.9 percent over the final 20 minutes.

"It's just real hard to come back when they get off to a start like that," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens.

The Cougars, 2-11, couldn't match Murray State's hot shooting in the second half. Raven Berry led the Cougars with 14 points and nine rebounds while Jazmin Hill added 11 points. SIUE shot 36 percent in the second half and 38 percent for the game.

SIUE's Sydney Stahlberg just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Much of her offense was due to her strong defense with three steals.

"She works real hard in there," Levens said of Stahlberg's inside play.

Murray State, which broke a nine-game losing streak, finished with three other players in double figures behind Lowe. Mary Jehlik pumped in 14 while Mariah Robinson and Tessa Elkins added 13 and 12, respectively. Jessica Winfrey also set a career high with 17 rebounds.

The Racers led 30-26 at halftime and collected half of their first-half points off turnovers. SIUE committed 12 turnovers in the first-half, and the Racers converted it into 15 points.

Murray State, meanwhile, turned the ball over 11 times in the first half, and the Cougars scored two points off those turnovers.

"We have to do a better job of taking advantage of their turnovers," Levens said.

SIUE held steady early in the second half down by four points with 13:24 to play. Jehlik then connected on a three-pointer and a layup a minute later to put the Racers up by nine. Murray State would use a 13-5 run for a 51-39 lead at 8:56 to play on another three-pointer by Jehlik.

The Cougars now return to the Vadalabene Center for a four-game homestand that begins Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. against Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Illinois.

-siue cougars-