SPRINGFIELD - Five Missouri State players scored in double figures, led by a career-high 22 points from Lexi Hughes, as the Lady Bears notched their first victory of the season with a 75-69 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday at JQH Arena.

Missouri State (1-6) let a 15-point halftime lead slip away before the first media timeout of the second period, but rallied with a late 8-0 run to put away the visiting Cougars (2-5).

The Lady Bears made 15 of their 17 free throws in the first half and closed on a 17-5 run to build a 40-25 lead at intermission.

After SIUE scored to pull within 23-20 with 5:14 to play, Kenzie Williams hit a free throw and an acrobatic layup for a 26-20 advantage at the 4:24 mark. Aubrey Buckley knocked down a pair of technical free throws after SIUE had six players on the floor, and NiJay Gaines hit a 3-pointer and a layup 28 seconds apart for a 33-20 lead with exactly three minutes remaining. Hillary Chvatal hit two layups in the final minute for the 15-point advantage.

The Cougars opened the second half on a 20-3 run and had the lead back at 45-43 with 14:25 on the clock. Gaines knocked down a triple as the shot clock expired for a 51-49 lead with 11:32 to play, and MSU remained in the lead until an 8-0 SIUE run put the Cougars ahead 59-55 with 7:30 left.

Hughes scored seven consecutive MSU points to get the lead back in MSU's favor at 64-63 with 4:21 to go, and the Cougars fought back for a 67-65 advantage with 2:06 remaining.

The Lady Bears dominated the final two minutes, beginning with a pair of Williams free throws for a 67-all tie with 1:51 to play. Over the next 90 seconds, Chvatal hit a layup, Williams hit two free throws, Buckley took a key charge, and Hughes grabbed a steal and hit two free throws to put MSU ahead 73-67 with 21.8 ticks on the clock. Hughes sealed it with two more free tosses with 2.7 seconds left.

Hughes (22), Chvatal (15) and Buckley (11) all recorded career scoring highs, while Williams (14) and Gaines (10) gave the Lady Bears five double-figure scorers for the first time in 46 games. Chvatal added 10 rebounds for her first career double-double.

MSU shot 37 percent from the field compared to 45 percent for the Cougars, but turned 26 SIUE turnovers into 27 points and made 25 of 33 shots from the free throw line.

The Lady Bears continue their four-game homestand Wednesday at 7 p.m. against No. 25 Arkansas (6-1).