NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Masyn McWilliams scored a season-best 15 points and Kelsie Williams added her first career double-double Thursday as SIUE women's basketball defeated Tennessee State 71-52 at the Gentry Center.

It was SIUE's first Ohio Valley Conference road victory of the season. The Cougars improved to 5-8 overall and 2-6 in the OVC. Next up for the Cougars is another Nashville rival Belmont when SIUE meets the Bruins for a 1 p.m. contest Saturday.

The Cougars scored the first eight points of the game and never trailed against Tennessee State, now 0-10 overall and 0-8 in OVC action.

"We had the energy and the fight," said Williams.

"We really turned it up a notch this game, and that's what we need to do," added McWilliams.

McWilliams turned in her best offensive performance of the season on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, adding three assists and two steals.

Williams boasted 14 points, which tied her career high, and finished with 10 rebounds, a new career best. She had career bests in free throws, hitting 8 of 10 from the charity stripe. Seven of her rebounds were off the offensive glass.

"Kelsie has been playing hard," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. "When she plays hard she can make things happen."

SIUE overpowered Tennessee State in the first half with a 42-20 lead after two periods of play.

The Tigers were led by the duo of Taylor Roberts and Andreana Wrister, who both had a game-high 18 points.

Buscher said she has been working on keeping her players competing in the moment.

"We had really solid defense tonight and then we went down and converted," noted Buscher. "We did a good job of passing the ball and sharing the ball."