CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – SIUE women's basketball battled SEMO on Saturday but fell 64-56 after the Redhawks reclaimed the lead in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.
 
SIUE is now 8-10 over all and 1-7 in Ohio Valley Conference play. SEMO improved to 8-10 overall and 1-7 in OVC play.
 
Going to the second quarter, the Cougars hit four of their last five field goals to trim the RedHawks lead. Back-to-back baskets made it a nine-point game with 7:32 remaining before halftime.
 
Jaiden Bryant came off the bench and scored on a layup to end a two-minute scoring drought for the Cougars with four minutes left in the second quarter.
 
Ava Gugliuzza finished the half with a layup in the paint off a SEMO turnover as the buzzer sounded, sending SIUE into halftime trailing 32-23.
 
The Cougars opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run. Gugliuzza had a layup to tie the game and followed with a free throw giving SIUE its first lead of the contest, 49-48, with 6:12 remaining.
 
SEMO answered with a seven-point run helping them reclaim their lead and seal the win, snapping its four-game losing streak.
 
Three Cougars had three scorers in double figures, led by Macy Silvey with 11. Kiyoko Proctor and Lauren Miller each added 10 points. Silvey made 3 of 8 shots from the field, Proctor finished 4 of 10, and Miller went 3 for 9 from the floor while converting all four of her free throw attempts.
 
Syanne Mohammed led the team with 12 rebounds and contributed four points.
 
As a team the Cougars made 88.9 percent (8-9) of their shots from the free throw line and 38.5 percent (20-52) of their shots from the field. They also had 24 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers and 21 points off the bench. While the RedHawks connected on 46.8 percent (22-47) of their shots from the field and 65.2 percent (15-23) of their shots from the line.
 
Up next, SIUE returns to First Community Arena to take on Tennessee State Jan. 22 at 5 p.m.