NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Cougars led by as many as 11 at the 7:31 mark in the third quarter, but Tennessee State used a 26-10 run between the third and fourth quarter to down SIUE 87-83 at Gentry Center.
SIUE falls to 8-19 on the season and 7-9 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Tennessee Tech improves to 11-15 and 7-9.
The Cougars opened the first half with a six-point lead up 46-40. The Cougars shot 51 percent (19-37) in the opening half while capitalizing on six three-point opportunities. Tennessee State shot 56 percent (14-25) through the first half but struggled at the free throw line going 8-14.
After the Tigers took the opening basket of the third quarter, SIUE answered with a 9-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 11, 55-44. Tennessee State would respond with a 12-0 run of their own to take a one-point advantage at 56-55. SIUE regained its lead at two the following possession on a three pointer from Molly Sheehan. The next six points would go the Tigers way before SIUE grabbed five straight to lead 63-62. Tennessee State grabbed the final four to lead SIUE 65-63 after the third.
KK Rodriguez scored the opening two points of the fourth before Tennessee State kept their foot on the gas to take the next eight to lead 73-65 with 7:33 to go. The Tigers took a 10-point lead with 5:31 left in the fourth before SIUE closed its gap to five four minutes later.
The Cougars would cut their deficit to two points following three straight free throws by Sofie Lowis with 12 seconds left, but SIUE was forced to foul where Tennessee State went 2-2 at the line for an 87-83 final.
SIUE knocked down 43 percent (31-72) of its shots in the game while going 11-16 at the charity stripe.
Kinnard led the Cougars with 20 points. She was 8-11 from the field and 4-4 at the line. She also led the Cougars with nine rebounds, setting a career high for the senior. She also co-led SIUE with two steals.
Lowis added 18 points, going 6-15 from the floor, 3-9 from deep, and 3-3 at the line. She dished five of the Cougars' 17 assists in the game. She also picked up two steals.
Ajulu Thatha picked up 16 while grabbing six rebounds. Rodriguez added five rebounds while Olivia Clayton contributed eight points.
Four Tigers finished the game scoring in double figures, led by Erica Haynes-Overton's 19. She was 7-10 in the contest and 5-6 at the line. Sierra McCullough led the game with 13 rebounds.
SIUE returns to First Community Arena for its final week of play in the regular season. The Cougars will take on Little Rock at 4:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
