EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Mikayla Kinnard scored a season-best 24 points for the SIUE women's basketball team Saturday, yet the Cougars bowed to Murray State 70-61 in the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center.

Kinnard, a 5-foot, 11-inch freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, also snared eight rebounds against Murray State, which improved to 13-14 overall and 6-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference. SIUE dropped to 3-24 and 1-15.

"When Mikayla is aggressive, good things happen for her and she made some good things happen today," SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher said. "Our team was relentless in going to the rim, and Mikayla did a good job of doing that. We just need to keep attacking."

Kinnard made 8 of 19 shots and converted all eight of her foul shots. She also had three assists. SIUE's Mikia Keith contributed nine points, seven rebounds and five assists, while teammate Allie Troeckler logged eight points and six rebounds.

"We had a fast-paced game going and Coach (Buscher) told me to keep penetrating to the basket," Kinnard said. "I've learned this season to stay consistent and that will help you."

The Cougars helped themselves after trailing 29-19 in the first half and 32-25 at half. They tied things at 38-38 on Christen King's layup with 3:56 to play in the third quarter.

However, Murray State outscored them 20-10 over the next 10 minutes and preserved its lead. The Cougars closed to within seven points three times in the fourth, but the Racers sank eight free throws in the closing 90 seconds to ensure its win.

"I thought we had a really good push at them," Buscher said of the comeback, "but then we got a little stagnant offensively."

Laci Hawthorne tallied 20 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Murray State, which had four players score in double figures. The Racers made 23 of 56 shots, including 6 of 16 from three-point land. They also made 18 of 24 free throws.

The Cougars hit 22 of 70 shots, were 4 of 22 from beyond the arc and connected on 13 of 16 free throws. Murray State outrebounded them 45-37.

SIUE wraps up its schedule next week when the Cougars play Thursday at UT Martin and then entertain Eastern Illinois at 4:30 on Saturday, Feb. 29. The home finale is Senior Day.

"We have to keep fighting, persevere and working to improve," Buscher said. "I think we will get it turned around."