EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team put forth a strong second half performance against SIU Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon, but it was not enough as the host Cougars topped the Golden Eagles, 83-69.

Down 13 at the intermission, the Golden Eagles came out firing, connecting on 56.7-percent of its shots, with thanks to the effective play of Tech's post players. Tech's posts went 8 of 13 from the floor, led by senior Candace Parson. 

Parson scored 14 of her team-high 24 points in the second, while junior Mariah Dean added four point and four boards in the second half.

The posts have sophomore guard Shunice Tionne Herron to thank for plenty of their shot opportunities as she finished with a career-best 10 assists, while only committing two turnovers. The last time a Tech player had 10 or more assists in a game was in 2010 when Tacarra Hayes had 12 against Morehead State.

Parson finished the game six rebounds to add to her 24 points, while junior Samaria Howard added 12 points and three rebounds. Parson has now scored 20+ points in two of the last three games. Dean finished with six points and five rebounds, while senior T'Keyah Williams finished with seven points and six boards. Guards Yaktavia Hickson and Catherine Taylor each finished with eight points.

SIUE's guard Shronda Butts finished the game with 29 points, adding 11 assists, and five rebounds. Tierny Austin added 14 points, three steals, and three rebounds, while Sidney Smith hit a trio of three-point field goals, and added a few free throws for 11 points.

The Golden Eagles return home for a three-game home stand, as they first host Murray State on Jan. 1 at 5:30 p.m. CST as part of a doubleheader with the TTU men's squad. The Jan. 8 doubleheader will be Overton County Night, and for residents of Overton County, tickets will only be $1.