EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women’s basketball team introduced a new alternate identity, the 66ers, on Thursday as part of a celebration marking the centennial of historic Route 66.
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The 66ers debuted their new logo and look in a home game against Southern Indiana, but the occasion ended with a 75-55 loss to the Screaming Eagles.
The game took place at First Community Arena, where Southern Indiana improved to 9-3 overall and 3-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play. SIUE dropped to 8-5 overall and 1-2 in the OVC.
SIUE’s Syanne Mohamed led the team with a career-high 13 rebounds and added eight points. Adebukola Akomolafe and Kiyoko Proctor each scored 11 points for the 66ers.
Mohamed made an early impact, scoring four points and securing five rebounds in the first quarter. She opened the second quarter with consecutive layups that gave SIUE its first lead of the game, 16-15, with 8:21 remaining. Southern Indiana regained the lead before halftime, going into the break ahead 28-23.
The Screaming Eagles expanded their advantage in the third quarter with a 13-2 run over more than four minutes.
Lauren Miller stopped the run with two free throws, but Southern Indiana maintained momentum and led 49-37 entering the fourth quarter.
SIUE is scheduled to return to action on Jan. 3, hosting Morehead State at 1 p.m. inside First Community Arena.