EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE women's basketball battled Morehead State but came up short in the final quarter, falling 54-49.
 
The Cougars move to 8-6 overall and 1-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference play, while the Eagles improved to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in OVC play.
 
Lauren Miller led SIUE with 13 points and four assists. Kiyoko Proctor followed with 11 points, adding six rebounds and three steals.
 
As team, SIUE shot 87 percent (14-16) from the free throw line. The cougars also recorded 12 points off turnovers, 14 points in the paint and seven fast-break points.
 
Proctor got the Cougars on the board early, knocking down a three-pointer two minutes into the start of the game. She added another three with six minutes remaining in the first quarter, giving SIUE an eight-point lead at 10-2.
 
MSU tied the game up at 12 following a layup from Laura Toffali with 2:23 left in the first quarter. The Eagles took a three-point lead in the second quarter before SIUE's Adriana Blazquez hit her first three of the season to tie the game at 16 with 5:50 remaining in the half.
 
The Eagles regained the lead heading into halftime after a last-minute layup from Marie Sepp.
 
MSU maintained its advantage for the remainder of the game, but SIUE continued to battle. A pair of free throws by Adebukola Akomolafe with 2:37 left in the fourth quarter pulled the Cougars within one point. However, the Eagles held on to secure the 54-49 victory.
 
Up next, the Cougars remain at home to play Lindenwood for an early week game Jan. 6. Tip off is set for 5 pm.