SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The SIUE women's basketball team dropped its first game of the season 80-66 despite having four players reach double figures on the road at Sacramento State Wednesday night from The Nest.

The Cougars (3-1) opened the season winning its first three games before falling in a fast-paced game where shots from behind the arc proved the difference.

The Hornets (2-3) connected on 12 of 24 three pointers, nine coming in the second half, to secure their second straight victory, while the Cougars hit only two of 13.

Two distinct styles clashed on the court as Sacramento State played its up-tempo offense and press defense while SIUE tried to counter by slowing the pace of the game in the half court.

In a homecoming game for California natives Melia Duncan and Madison Meade, the senior duo had a rare opportunity to play in front of family and friends but could not come out with the victory.

After falling behind to open the game, back-to-back baskets by Michaela Herrod and Raven Berry gave SIUE its only lead of the game 5-4.

The Hornets took control from that point and never relented building a double-digit lead midway through the opening half.

The Cougars made a late charge down the stretch holding the Hornets scoreless for the final two minutes to close the gap to 35-28 heading into the halftime break.

A layup by Kiara Conner got SIUE to 42-38 with 15 minutes to play in the second half but a quick three pointer by Fantasia Hilliard of the Hornets increased the lead to seven.

Four more three-point baskets by Sacramento State in a span of 1:26 shut the door on any comeback effort for the Cougars as the lead increased to 57-42 for the Hornets.

The lead would hold as SIUE dropped its first game of the season 80-66 in its first game away from Edwardsville.

Berry led the Cougars with 17 points and 12 rebounds for her first double-double of the season while Katie Hempen pumped in a season-best 13 off the bench. Tierny Austin and Herrod also reached double digits with 11 and 10, respectively.

Sacramento State's Kylie Kuhns finished with 18 points to lead all scorers to go with 11 rebounds as three other players also reached double figures.

The road trip for SIUE continues with a game in Stockton, Calif., on Saturday against Pacific. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT.

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