SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Missouri State used a 23-2 run late in second half to outpace Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's basketball 68-39 Thursday at JQH Arena.

The Cougars fell to 2-7 overall while Missouri State won its third straight game in front of a crowd of 3,004 and improved to 6-2.

Missouri State, the preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference, shot 46.7 percent from the field and held SIUE to 21 percent shooting from the field.

"Obviously, Missouri State is a very good basketball team. We had too many lapses against a good team like that," SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens said.

SIUE played well for 25 minutes of the game, according to Levens. The Cougars missed the shots they couldn't afford to miss against the Bears.

"We just missed too many layups and too many easy shots," said Levens. "If we make some of those shots, I think it could be a little different game."

Raven Berry led SIUE's offense with 11 points. She was the lone Cougar in double figures.

Jasmine Malone paced Missouri State with 16 points while Casey Garrison moved up to 12th on the Lady Bears' all-time scoring list with 15 points. Tia Mays, who powered the defense with six blocks, was the only player with double figures in rebounds with 10, helping Missouri State edge SIUE on the boards 52-39.

SIUE held strong in the first half despite getting off to a slow start against the Bears. The Cougars missed their first 12 shots of the game. Melia Duncan scored first for the Cougars with a driving bucket in the lane to make it 6-2 just more than five minutes into the game.

The Bears did not push ahead quick. Missouri State was limited on offense after committing 13 turnovers in the first half. Missouri State looked inside for its points early with 20 of its 27 first-half points coming in the paint.

SIUE was down by 10 at the halftime intermission. The Cougars cut the lead to eight at 40-32 with 12:25 to go in the game on a pair of free throws by Jazmin Hill. Missouri State would take advantage of 21 second chance points and 26 points off turnovers to top the Cougars.

The Cougars now return home for a Sunday matchup against Ohio Valley Conference rival Morehead State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center.

-siue cougars-