EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE women's basketball collected its fourth straight victory Saturday with a 64-53 triumph over Eastern Kentucky at the Vadalabene Center.

Katie Hempen hit five free throws in the final 90 seconds for the Cougars to keep the Lady Colonels at bay.

SIUE improved to 14-8 overall and 8-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Eastern Kentucky, which entered the game looking to join SIUE in third place in the league, fell to 11-11 overall and 6-5 in the OVC.

A 12-0 run in the first half was the biggest difference in the contest. After EKU's Marie Carpenter hit a layup with 14:12 to play in the first half, SIUE sprinted to a double-digit lead behind three-pointers from Tierny Austin and Jazmin Hill. SIUE led 19-9 on a pair of free throws by Hill.

"We had several people step up at different points and do a great job," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens. "Tierny had a great first half and made some big buckets that jumped started us. Katie made her free throws down the stretch."

SIUE would hold a 30-20 advantage at the half. Michaela Herrod grabbed 10 of her team-high 14 rebounds in the first stanza.

The Lady Colonels picked up a strong game from Jade Barber off the bench. The EKU center scored 13 points and grabbed a game-best 19 rebounds. Carpenter was EKU's only other player in double figures with 17 points.

"Our team defense was critical to our success. If we had any lapse, any one of their five players on the court could hurt us. We played really well together," said Levens.

Hill led SIUE in scoring with 15 points, including three three-pointers. She has now had five straight games of at least three three-pointers.

Raven Berry added 12 points and nine rebounds. She needs one more rebound to equal Kris Held (1988-1991) for sixth on SIUE's all-time list.

Hempen finished with 13 points. It was the 13th time the Cougar freshman has scored in double figures this season.

SIUE recorded just nine turnovers in the game to EKU's 15. Courtney Kenner finished with five assists to lead the Cougars followed by four from Melia Duncan.

"We never got into a great flow. We played really well in spurts but just not consistently. The way that they defended us had a lot to do with that. We adjusted and did enough to win the game," added Levens.

Next up for SIUE is a 7 p.m. game Monday against Morehead State at the Vadalabene Center.

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