MACOMB, Ill. – SIUE was unable to keep their lead, falling with Western Illinois in the second half. The final was 94-82 WIU.
 
The Cougars are now 4-17 overall and 2-10 in OVC play. The Leathernecks improved to 12-9 over all and 6-6 in OVC play.
 
KK Rodriguez, Ava Gugliuzza and Macy Silvey had a combined 53 points for the Cougars. Rodriguez led with 19 points going 7-17 from the field with Gugliuzza following with 18 points going 6-13 from the field and 4-9 from the three-point range and contributed six rebounds. Silvey knocked down 16 points for the Cougars and had six rebounds.
 
The teams went back and forth during the first quarter, tying the game six times.
 
The Cougars were able to gain an eleven-point lead (43-32) with 3:41 let to play in the second quarter.
 
WIU evened the score (63-63) in the third quarter, before taking a 12-point lead in the final 28 seconds of the fourth quarter, winning the game.
 
The Leathernecks were led by Regan McCowan who had 27 points and Mia Nicastro with 23 points.
 
As a team the Cougars connected on 30-68 (44 percent) of their shots from the field with 15-33 (45 percent) of them being from beyond the arc. They were able to get 20 points off of WIU turnovers, 31 points off the bench, and 22 points in the paint.
 
Up next, The Cougars return to First Community Arena welcoming Eastern Illinois. Tip off is set for 5:00 pm Feb. 4.