VERMILLION, S.D. - Four SIUE players scored in double figures but the Cougars couldn't overcome a double-digit second-half lead in 64-61 loss at South Dakota.

SIUE, 18-10, fought back from 12 points down and had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds when a three-pointer by freshman Katie Hempen came up short. The Cougars were as close as two points in the final minute of play. South Dakota improved to 22-7.

"We got a good look, and it just did not go in," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens. "That is a shot Katie is going to make multiple times over her career."

Junior center Raven Berry and senior guard Melia Duncan led SIUE in scoring with 14 points each. Berry, a second team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, collected her 12th double-double of the season by adding 11 rebounds. Duncan turned in a 6-of-7 performance from the field, including a pair of three-pointers.

"Melia played fantastic on both ends of the floor," Levens added. "And they were doubling Raven. For her to have 14, that is still solid."

Courtney Kenner, a junior guard, and Tierny Austin, a freshman forward, joined Berry and Duncan in double digits with 10 points for the Cougars. Hempen added nine.

The difference for the Coyotes was its 10 three-pointers with three each from Amber Hegge and Annie Roche. Hegge, just named a first team All-Summit League performer, led all scorers with 24 points while Roche chipped in 17.

"We overcame a lot of adversity and things out of our control, but we stayed focused on what we needed to do," said Levens.

Duncan helped SIUE come from 12 points down in the second to tie the score 55-55 on a three-pointer with 2:21 to play. Boss answered for the Coyotes 30 seconds later with a made bucket in the paint. The Coyotes would hit 8 of 10 free throws in the final 90 seconds of play to hold off SIUE.

"I thought our defense down the stretch was great. In the second half, we did a great job but had some bad breaks," Levens said.

The Cougars controlled the boards with a 38-29 advantage over the Coyotes. SIUE's dominance on the offensive boards resulted in 19 second-chance points. South Dakota made up the difference with 20 points off SIUE's 12 turnovers. The Coyotes shot 39.6 percent from the field (21-53) while SIUE was 43.1 percent from the field (25-58).

SIUE closes out the regular season next Thursday with Senior Day. The Cougars play host to Arkansas in a 7 p.m. game at the Vadalabene Center.

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