CHARLESTON, Ill. – Senior Forward Ajulu Thatha scored a career-high 32 points while grabbing 12 rebounds for a double-double, but Eastern Illinois scored 25 points off 20 SIUE turnovers to down the Cougars 88-79 on Thursday night at Lantz Arena.
SIUE drops to 3-13 overall and 2-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Eastern Illinois improves to 13-3 and 5-0.
"I'm proud of our fight and toughness against a very solid Eastern Illinois team," Head Coach Samantha Quigley Smith said. "Playing a close one like that for the entire 40 minutes was a really good experience for our group."
The Cougars trailed 43-41 at the conclusion of the first half. After opening the game 35 percent from the floor (7-20), SIUE flipped a switch in the second period and shot 50 percent (6-12). Thatha led SIUE with 21 points and nine rebounds at the break.
SIUE would cut its deficit to just a point two minutes into the third at 45-44, but the Panthers would counter with a 14-0 run.
SIUE battled in the final period, outscoring Eastern Illinois 26-24. However, the Panthers would push late with a 6-0 run under a minute to play. The Cougars concluded the fourth quarter shooting 59 percent (10-17) and 2-2 from behind the arc.
"We could've rolled over," added Smith. "But we had some fight in us and stayed in the game."
The Cougars finished the game shooting 41 percent (26-59) and won the rebounding battle 36-32 against the Panthers.
Four Cougars hit the double-digit threshold, led by Thatha. Her 32 points marked the most by a Cougar since the 2015-2016 season when Shronda Butts scored 30 against Austin Peay. Thatha finished 8-12 from the floor and was just as impressive at the free throw line, finishing 16-19. Her free throws made set a career-high for the senior.
Thatha's double-double marked her fifth this season.
"Her mind is in a different place right now," said Smith. "She's focused on hoops and getting better every single day. Some of our women can take note from her, in terms of her focus and mental zone. I'm very proud of her. She's been showing how much she really wants it."
Sofie Lowis added 17 points for her fifth straight game scoring in the double-digits. KK Rodriguez and Molly Sheehan added 10 apiece.
Sheehan also collected a career-high in steals, grabbing four of the Cougars' 10.
Eastern Illinois was led by Lariah Washington's 21 points.
SIUE will have a quick turnaround, welcoming Lindenwood to First Community Arena on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
"Our focus in practice tomorrow needs to be on Lindenwood and the little things we could've done differently in todays game," said Smith. "But I know our group will be ready."
