PEORIA, Ill. - Raegan Duncan provided the game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth as SIUE defeated Southeast Missouri 5-4 in eight innings at the Ohio Valley Conference Softball Championships.

Duncan's single up the middle scored Kaylin Fahy from second base, propelling the Cougars through the winner's bracket. SIUE, 30-20, next faces the winner of the Eastern Illinois/Southern Indiana game which takes place next at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex. SIUE's next game is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Emma Henderson went the distance in the circle for the Cougars and improved to 7-5 for the season.

SIUE went for the long ball for three of its five runs. Kaylynn Salyars launched a second inning home run with Danielle Shuey on base in the second inning. Kaylin Fahy delivered a solo blast in the fourth inning.

SEMO was down 4-2 in the top of the seventh when it tied the game up on a bases-loaded single. The Redhawks later were ahead on the scoreboard until a video review pulled back one run. The Cougars then held off the Redhawks and scored in the bottom of the eighth.

SIUE outhit Southeast Missouri 10-6. Anna Henderson and Lauryn Yslava each had two hits.

Maddie Carney took the loss for Southeast Missouri in relief of starter Delaney Kell.

SEMO, the No. 3 seed, drops to the consolation bracket at next meets fifth-seeded Lindenwood in a 3 p.m. elimination game.