CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – SIUE battles with SEMO during their second conference game of the season. The Cougars fought hard, keeping the score close through the second half, but fell short with a final score of 67-61.
 
SIUE falls to 2-9, 0-2 OVC while SEMO improves to 2-8, 1-1 OVC.
 
There were strong performances from KK Rodriguez, who scored 20 points, her highest scoring game since returning to play. She is also the second player to have a 20-point game for the Cougars this season. Rodriguez made 35 percent (6-17) of her shots from the field and went 7-8 from the free throw line.
 
Ava Gugliuzza was the only other Cougar to score in the double-digits, contributing 14 points against the Redhawks, marking a new career-high. She made 5-13 of her shots, including 4-11 from beyond the arc. Gugliuzza also recorded two assists.
 
As a team, SIUE made 30 percent (19-62) of their shots overall, connecting on 23 percent (8-34) of their shots from the three-point range, and 83 percent (15-18) of their shots from the free throw line. The Cougars also had 29 points off the bench, marking the 11th  consecutive game they have led in bench points.
 
 Kendal George helped change the pace of the game with a three-pointer with 9:37 left in the second quarter.
 
Ava Gugliuzza made back-to-back three-pointers, bring the score to 20-19 with 6:35 remaining in the second quarter.  
 
Before halftime, SEMO's Indiya Bowen gave the Redhawks a five-point lead off a fast break layup, making the score 25-30 before the break.
 
The Cougars claimed a two-point lead after a three-pointer made by Gugliuzza, bringing the score to 40-38 with 4:38 left in the third quarter.
 
SEMO's Brianna Hill tied the game up with a layup and scored another fast-break layup to give the Redhawks the lead, 42-40, with 1:46 remaining in the third quarter.
 
SIUE found momentum with KK Rodriguez making a jumper in the paint and a layup off the fast break, cutting the Redhawks lead to three points.
 
Gugliuzza made a three-pointer to tie the game at 51-51 with 6:01 mark in the fourth quarter.
 
The Redhawks respond with two free throws and a layup before going on a two-minute run with no points. Rodriguez made two free throws to tie the game at 55, pushing SEMO to call a timeout with 2:42 left in the fourth.
 
Coming off the timeout, SEMO's Jariyah Williamson makes two three-pointers, pushing the Redhawks ahead 61-55.
 
Macy Silvey finished off the game with a last minute three-pointer bringing the score to 61-67 before the final buzzer.
 
Up next, the Cougars return to First Community Arena to welcome Western Illinois. Tip off is set for 5:00 pm.