Despite a game-high 19 points from CoCo Moore, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women’s basketball fell to Tennessee Tech 72-66 at the Eblen Center.

CoCo Moore / Photo by SIUE Sports Informatoin

Tennessee Tech, 5-11 and 2-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play, opened the game with a 17-3 run and held on for the win.

“It was all Tennessee Tech’s tempo in the first half,” said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. “We’re right in there if we could get mentally and physically tougher.”

Moore shot 7 of 15 from the field and added a team-best four assists for the Cougars, 4-12 and 1-3 in the OVC. Jessie Wendt and Micah Jones joined Moore in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Diamond Henderson finished as TTU’s leading scorer with 13 points. She was one of five players who scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles. Candace Parson and Mariah Dean both had double figures in points and rebounds for Tennessee Tech.

The Golden Eagles also won the battle of the boards, 53-36. The Golden Eagles garnered 26 offensive rebounds.

“You can’t give up 26 offensive boards and win a game,” Buscher said.

After battling back to a 42-30 deficit at halftime, SIUE went on an 11-4 run of its own midway through the second half. Tierny Austin cut the lead to four points (54-50) on a pair of free throws with 6:07 to play.

SIUE made it a one-possession game with 1:01 left to play when Moore hit a layup after a pass from Miranda Brandt. That was the closest SIUE would get down the stretch. The Eagles hit eight free throws in the final minute to push back the Cougars.

“We’ve got to take care of the little things,” said Buscher. “We’re putting ourselves in position to win games, but we’ve got to show another level of physical and mental toughness, as well as compete on a higher level for 40 minutes.”

The road trip for the Cougars continues Monday with a 7 p.m. matchup at Jacksonville State.