EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Emily Maggert scored 21 points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds to lead Ball State to a 66-60 victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in women's college basketball Sunday at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE fell to 2-6 overall while Ball State improved to 4-3. SIUE now hits the road for a Thursday game at Missouri State. Game time is 7:05 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.

SIUE shot 31 percent from the field and hit 5 of 22 from three-point range.

"It was a matter of making shots. We missed too many easy shots, and we missed a lot of open jump shots that we have to knock down," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens.

The Cougars held the lead 41-40 on a Jazmin Hill free throw with 10:32 to play. Ball State's Ty'Ronda Benning would put the Cardinals ahead for good on a three-pointer just more than a minute later.

Hill would lead the Cougars in scoring with 20 points, including three three-pointers. She also added a team-high four assists.

Ball State worked its size advantage with Maggert leading the way. She shot 6 of 12 from the field and added a pair of three-pointers. Suzanne Grossnickle hit all four of her shots from the field and added nine points.

SIUE countered Ball State's size with some strong rebounding. Freshman Allyssa Decker, who was starting her second straight game for the Cougars, pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds to go along with her six points.

The Cougars outscored Ball State in second-chance points 15-12. Levens said the Cougars would like to have done even more with its 21 offensive rebounds against Ball State.

Madison Meade was the only other player in double figures for SIUE with 10 points. Michaela Herrod and Sydney Stahlberg added eight points each.

Ball State shot 40 percent from the field and nearly 43 percent from three-point range. The Cardinals would convert 14 of their 22 free throw attempts in the second half. SIUE was 9 of 13 from the line in the second half.

Levens said the Cougars will take some time off before focusing on Missouri State this week.

"Mentally after this weekend, it's good for everybody to step away and have a little time away and come back," Levens said.

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