EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE women's basketball team fell in its conference home opener 78-45 to Western Illinois Thursday at First Community Arena.

The Cougars fall to 2-10 and 0-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Western Illinois improves to 7-5 and 1-1 in OVC play.

Western Illinois attacked SIUE early, building a 10 to 4 lead on a Raegen McCowan jump shot.

The Leathernecks' largest lead of the first half came on a Madison Davis made layup which made the score 24-11.

Western Illinois led 46-23 midway through the third quarter when the Cougars went on a 13-3 run but that's as close as it would get.

The Leathernecks outscored the Cougars 22-12 in the fourth quarter.

SIUE was led by Ava Gugliuzza who tallied 13 points on 5-12 shooting and connected on two three-pointers. Gugliuzza added an assist and two rebounds.

Gugliuzza scored in double figures for the second straight game.

Halle Smith also scored in double figures for the Cougars, with 10 points, and collected five rebounds.

The Cougars connected on 27 percent of their shots (17-64) from the field and 17 percent (4-24) from behind the three-point arc.

SIUE finished with nine assists while grabbing 40 rebounds.

Western Illinois shot 43 percent (26-60) from the field and 24 percent (4-17) from three-point range.

Raegen McCowan led the surge for the Leathernecks with her fourth double-double of the year. McCowan splashed in 22 points with 12 rebounds and delivered three assists.

The Leathernecks shot 83 percent (19-23) from the free throw line.

Western Illinois recorded 18 assists while grabbing 45 rebounds.

SIUE is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Lindenwood. The tip is scheduled for 1:00p.m.