Cougars Outpace Racers for Seventh Straight Win

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE women's basketball improved to 7-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday with a 78-52 triumph over Murray State at the Vadalabene Center.

The Cougars, 12-9 overall, won their seventh straight game with a dominant performance against Murray State, 5-15 overall and 0-7 in the OVC.

Shronda Butts, the four-time OVC Newcomer of the Week, turned in another solid performance with 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. She also led the Cougars with four assists.

Tierny Austin, honored before the game for scoring 1,000 career points earlier this season, finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for SIUE. Austin moved up to 13th on the all-time scoring list with 1,149 points, passing SIUE Athletics Hall of Famer Lori Blade (1,144 - 1983-88).

"Shronda and Tierny play really well together," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. "They're two of the most competitive kids I've ever coached. They're doing a great job of leading everyone else."

SIUE freshman Gwen Adams added 16 points and nine rebounds.

"We always have to be ready," said Buscher. "When you have multiple people scoring in doubles figures, it's a great asset for us."

Murray State missed its first nine shots of the game and trailed all but the first 2:18 of the game when neither team had scored.

The Cougars quickly made it to a double-digit lead with 13:57 to play in the first half when Donshel Beck hit a pair of free throws to put the team up 12-2.

SIUE doubled up the Racers 42-20 by halftime. Butts and Adams each scored double figures by the halftime buzzer.

"We locked in early in the game," said Buscher. "My staff does a great job on scouting reports and I thought our players really stepped up on knowing all the little details of the game."

SIUE, which leads the OVC in rebound margin, outrebounded the Racers 51-41.

The Racers were held to 26.8 percent shooting (19-71). Jashae Lee led the team off the bench with 11 points. Netanya Jackson and Keiona Kirby added 10 points each.

"We aren't where we want to be on the defensive end yet, but I thought tonight was a good step," said Buscher.

The Cougars return to the Vadalabene Center Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest against Austin Peay.