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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State women's basketball added to its growing string of consecutive victories with a gripping 85-81 come-from-behind win over Southern Illinois late Thursday night at Johnson Arena.

A third straight taste of success moves the Eagles to 5-3 on the season, dropping the Salukis to 3-3.

"It was a very good win for us," said MSU head coach Greg Todd. "SIU played extremely well on the road, and they rebounded the ball well right with us."

Despite entering Thursday as the nation's best rebounding unit, Morehead State found itself almost dead even with Southern Illinois on the glass and ultimately edged out a 43-41 advantage.

SIU shot the lights out to begin the contest, holding a 21-17 lead after one quarter and a 42-39 lead at half. Morehead State was outscored 27-22 in the third period alone, eventually facing a 69-61 deficit entering the final 10-minute period. Southern Illinois' scoring binge was fueled by 8-of-15 (.533) shooting in the second quarter and an 8-for-13 (.615) performance in the third.

It was in the fourth quarter, however, that the Eagles' defense proved to be the difference-maker. Morehead State held Southern Illinois to just 3-of-18 (.167) from the floor, while equaling the Salukis' previous 8-of-15 output. In the end, the Eagles' 30-of-67 (.448) shooting on the night surpassed Southern Illinois' final posting of 25-for-64 (.391).

Tierra McGowan anchored MSU with another monumental effort, logging a game-high 23 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes of action.

"I'm very pleased with how hard Tierra plays," Todd said. "We are looking forward to her progress as we get into (Ohio Valley Conference) play."

Miranda Crockett supplemented McGowan with 18 points, while Eriel McKee followed closely behind with 15. Darianne Seward logged 10 points and eight assists, matching McKee in a game-high 36 minutes.

Kylie Giebelhausen shined for the Salukis, knocking down 6-of-10 (.600) tries from three-point range. Giebelhausen recorded 22 points and eight rebounds, as Southern Illinois connected on 12-of-23 (.522) attempts from downtown.

Morehead State finishes the week with a trip to Nashville, Tenn. for the first of seven straight road games in the month of December. The Eagles tip off at Lipscomb (2-5) on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.