WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
SIU EDWARDSVILLE 69, CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 68
SIU EDWARDSVILLE 69, CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD 68
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill - Not every team is going to be able to say it's undefeated in March.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville made it true Wednesday as Raven Berry grabbed a missed shot and made the putback, giving the Cougars a 69-68 victory over Cal State Bakersfield in the women's basketball season finale at the Vadalabene Center.
It was rebounding that kept SIUE going all night long. The Cougars, 8-21, pulled down a season-high 58 rebounds, including a Vadalabene Center-record 14 offensive caroms for Berry. SIUE outrebounded Cal State Bakersfield 58-33.
It was senior night as Ashley Bey took a bow in her final game as a Cougar. The point guard made sure she was part of the final equation, scoring 13 points with seven rebounds and six assists.
Melia Duncan led all scorers with 18 points. She shot 8 of 12 from the field. Berry was third in scoring with 14 points and finished with 19 rebounds overall. Courtney Kenner added 11 points. Sydney Stahlberg joined Berry in double figures in the rebounding category with 10.
Cal State Bakersfield, 16-11, was hot early, hitting four of its first five three-pointers. The Roadrunners took a 13-point lead with 13:39 to play in the first half. SIUE used a 12-2 run to get back into the game but fell behind 40-33 by halftime.
The Roadrunners finished with three players in double figures led by 16 from Katie Williams and 14 each from Kelley Tarver and Phynique Allen. CSUB made nine three-pointers, including four from Tarver.
SIUE battled back to take the lead with 10:47 left to play in the game on a pair of free throws by Berry. The Cougars held the lead until 1:35 to play when Allen connected on a pair of free throws.
The rebounding edge made the difference down the stretch. Bey drove into the lane with 15 seconds to go and missed a shot from the left side. Berry was there to grab the rebound on the right side of the bucket, putting up what would be the eventual winning basket.
Levens said that despite the season being over, her team has a positive going into the offseason.