SIUE Women's Basketball Team Bows Out of OVC Tourney

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – SIUE women's basketball bowed out of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Thursday with a 62-45 loss to third-seeded Belmont in the quarterfinals.
 
The Cougars completed the tournament with a 16-14 record. Belmont, now 18-12, moves on to play second-seeded Tennessee Tech in the OVC Tournament semifinals.
 
"It might have been a little frustrating game for us," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. "We just didn't quite shoot the ball as well as we're used to shooting the ball, and that makes it a little bit tough. I'm really proud of this team, the fight that we have out there. I think you saw it until the buzzer went off. I think that's how you play the game, and that's how we're going to build a great program."
 
SIUE couldn't find its offensive rhythm in the first half and scored a season-low 12 points against the Bruins over the first 20 minutes. For the game, SIUE shot a season low 22.2 percent from the field (16-72).
 
"I thought Belmont did a great job. I thought they shut down our primary moves. We had to go to some counter moves. We weren't as successful with that," Buscher said.
 
Belmont pulled out to a 17-point lead at halftime behind seven three-pointers, including three from Molly Ernst off the bench. The Bruins averaged five per game during the season.
 
Raven Berry scored all 10 of her points in the second half and recorded 38th career double-double with 12 rebounds. Jazmin Hill, who moved into second all-time in three-pointers made, joined Berry in double figures with 10 for the Cougars. Teutopolis graduate Jessie Wendt tallied five points on two of five from the field, zero of two from three point range and one of one from the free throw line. She also had two rebounds and one assist.