EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville fought back from 17 points down in the second half only to fall in overtime to Eastern Illinois 84-78 in a women's basketball thriller Thursday at the Vadalabene Center.

Raven Berry came off the bench for 24 points and 13 rebounds for her eighth career double-double. Her two free throws with 16 seconds left in regulation put SIUE, now, 2-12, ahead by three points.

Eastern Illinois' Kelsey Wyss hit a three-pointer from the corner with 2.7 seconds left to send the game into overtime. The Panthers would hold SIUE to one field goal during the overtime period to even its season record at 7-7.

"There are so many positives, and it's just unfortunate for our team that they didn't come out on top in a game like this," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens.

SIUE played a fantastic second half behind guard Jazmin Hill, who finished with 21 points. Hill's three-pointer with 2:53 to play in the second half gave SIUE its first lead of the game. The Cougar freshman also made a key three-pointer with 38 seconds left in regulation to put SIUE up by three at 74-71.

"I was very pleased with our effort and our ability to come back," said Levens.

The Cougars made much of their second-half comeback behind Berry, who shot 8 of 13 from the field and 8 of 10 from the free throw line. She scored 18 points in the second half.

"We told them nobody gets a shot until Raven touches it," said Levens. "When she's fresh you can't really guard her one on one in my opinion. When her foot work is consistent and she gets a bounce in her step, she's a fantastic player."

Eastern Illinois got off to a strong start in the game by hitting its first six shots and taking a double-digit lead in the first five minutes of the game.

Ta'Kenya Nixon scored six of the team's first 14 points and tied for the game high with 24 points.

"Our team understands you can come back from a double-digit deficit and against a very good team. We can get stops when we buckle down. Had we done that in the first half we don't have a deficit. Just a lot of teaching points," said Levens.

Wyss and Sydney Mitchell joined Eastern Illinois in double figures with 19 and 17 points, respectively.

SIUE was 1 of 9 shooting in the overtime period. EIU was 2 of 8 in the overtime.

"We just didn't have enough left in the tank in overtime," Levens said. "This is our first overtime game since I've been here. Anyone that's been on the roster that's played for me, we've never been here before. It's important we know how to come out on the other end next time."

"When we lose games like this our kids want to go practice right now. They want to go play. It is a tough lesson to learn. Sometimes if you win a game like this you don't always learn the lessons you need to," added Levens.

SIUE returns to the court Sunday for a 1 p.m. home contest against South Dakota.

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