CHARLESTON, Ill. – SIUE battled against Eastern Illinois, but falls with a final score of 69-56.
 
KK Rodriguez had her second 20-point game of the season. She made 8-10 of her shots from the field, going 3-5 from the free throw line.
 
Sofie Lowis made her second appearance for the Cougars this season. Lowis had eight points against the Panthers, shooting 3-9 from the field.
 
The Cougars now stand at 2-12, and 0-5 in OVC play. While the Panthers improve to 8-6, 5-0 OVC play.
 
EIU started out the first quarter taking on a 12-point lead, that was cut off by jumper from Ava Stoller with 2:07 left in the first quarter.
 
Stoller's two points sparked a 6-0 run for the cougars, that was stalled by three-pointer from EIU's Tiny Lewis.
 
Rodriguez wrapped up the first quarter making a shot with two seconds left on the clock, bringing EIU's lead down to nine points.
 
The second quarter started with a layup from Ava Gugliuzza. The Cougars and Panthers went back and forth in scoring before Brianna Wooldridge knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:49 to go, followed by a shot in the paint from Jaiden Bryant with 49 seconds left in the second quarter.
 
EIU's Ella Lune knocked down a three-pointer, making the score 33-26 right before halftime.
 
After the break Rodriguez and Molly Sheehan each made a three-pointer with 7:35 left in the third quarter. This put the Cougars behind by three points the closest they would get all night.
 
Gugliuzza hit one last three for the Cougars with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars were unable to gain the lead.
 
Up next, the Cougars return to First Community Arena to take on Tennessee Tech. Tip off is set for 1:00 pm Jan. 11.