MOREHEAD, Ky. - SIUE shot 65 percent in the second half and raced to a 76-67 victory over Morehead State in women's college basketball action Wednesday night at Johnson Arena.

SIUE won its fourth straight game and first of the season on the road with four players scoring in double figures. The Cougars improved their season record to 6-12.

SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens said her team's defense and rebounding were strong. "They are maturing as a group," she said.

Michaela Herrod turned in an impressive 15-point, 19-rebound performance. The Cougar sophomore shot 6 of 11 from the field. Her 19 rebounds was easily a career high. "She rebounded really well in her area. She ran down some rebounds and got some tough rebounds," added Levens.

Jazmin Hill finessed another strong game with a team-high 19 points and four assists. Levens said the Cougar freshman didn't get off to a good start but allowed the shots to come to her in the second half.

"She has grown so much in her role as a point guard," said Levens.

Morehead State, which dropped to 13-6, was held to 34.6 percent shooting from the field. Chynna Bozeman led the Eagles with 24 points on 8-of-27 shooting. The first team OVC selection from last season also was 3 of 13 from three-point range.

Morehead State's Ashar Harris and Courtney Lumpkin recorded identical double-doubles of 15 points and 10 rebounds. Despite the double-doubles, SIUE cruised to the rebounding edge at 45-33.

The Eagles held control in the first half by grabbing an eight-point lead by halftime. Harris hit a layup with seven seconds left to put the Eagles ahead 34-26.

The Cougars went to halftime shooting better than the Eagles and rebounding as well. But to come back, Levens asked the team to dig deeper.

"I told them it was just a matter of finding a way to win," said Levens.

Lumpkin opened the second half with a jumper that gave Morehead State its biggest lead at 10 points with 19:34 to play. SIUE then went on an 8-0 run to close within two points at 36-34. Raven Berry, who finished with 14 points, provided four points in the run.

Levens said Berry was poised despite being double teamed in the paint. The sophomore shot 5 of 7 for the game.

Morehead State responded by regaining control and once again leading by 10 points with 12:37 to play on a three-pointer by Lumpkin. Just as quickly, SIUE went on its biggest run of the night with a 15-0 run over the next four minutes to take the lead 56-49.

Melia Duncan added some punch at the end of the run with a three-pointer. She joined her teammates in double figures with 13 points.

The Eagles would come back to cut the lead to two points with 3:49 to play, but SIUE held steady and collected the victory. The Cougars shot nearly 52 percent for the game.

"When we took the lead, we kept building on it," said Levens.

SIUE now returns home to the Vadalabene Center for another return game. Next Tuesday, SIUE entertains Murray State in a 7 p.m. contest.

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