Audio Highlights

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Despite four players scoring in double figures, SIUE women's basketball dropped its season opener 81-55 at Kansas State.

A crowd of 3,925 at Bramlage Coliseum saw five Kansas State players score in double figures in the home team's win.

"Defensively we played fairly decent in the first half. We just turned the ball over and allowed too many fast breaks," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher.

Kansas State turned 13 first-half steals into 15 points off the fast break.

Tierny Austin led all players with 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field. Shronda Butts scored 12. Sidney Smith added 11 in her first game as a Cougar, including three of SIUE's four three-pointers. Gwen Adams pumped in 10 points off the bench in her first collegiate game.

SIUE topped the Wildcats on the boards 44-38. Micah Jones led SIUE with 10 rebounds.

"We did a good job on the boards. We've been working hard on that since our exhibition game," said Buscher.

The Wildcats took advantage of a 41-11 edge off the bench. Ashley Jones, Bri Craig and Erica Young each scored in double figures off the bench. Starters Breanna Lewis and Ashia Woods led the team with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Kansas State shot 47.7 percent from the field (31-65) while holding SIUE to 18 of 60 from the field (30 percent).

"We didn't compete at the level we expected ourselves to play at tonight," said Buscher.

The Cougars will have a quick turnaround with another road contest Monday at 7 p.m. This one will be a little closer to home with a trip to the Chaifetz Arena against the St. Louis Billikens.