Somebody had to win.

Both the SIUC and the University of Evansville women’s basketball teams were in the midst of losing streaks before Monday’s contest in Evansville.

But Beth Hasheider sank three free throws in the closing seconds to preserve the Salukis’ 72-68 victory over the Aces.

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The senior point guard scored 12 points, including nine of 11 free throws as the Salukis ended a six-game losing streak. The Salukis moved out of last place in the conference, improving to 4-9 and 1-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference..

The loss for the Purple Aces was their eighth straight setback and dropped them 5-8 overall and 0-5 in the conference.

It was a hard-fought ballgame, obviously, said SIUC coach Cindy Scott. I’m happy for our kids because we’ve really been struggling. I can’t say that we feel real good yet, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

SIUC appeared to be headed for an easy victory after opening up 17-point lead in the first half. Sophomore guard Meredith Jackson hit four three-pointers on her way to 15 points in the half, and the Salukis shot 57 percent from the field in first half.

Scott had benched Jackson and sophomore center Melaniece Bardley, placing freshmen Courtney Smith and Maria Niebrugge in the starting lineup.

Jackson entered the game early in first half and ended up leading the team with 20 points.

It really made her angry, and she didn’t take it on a positive note, Scott said. I think she’s playing angry right now, and if she continues to play like this, I hope she stays angry the rest of the year.

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Niebrugge scored eight early points, but saw no second-half action after going down with an ankle injury late in the first.

I thought Maria was super in the first half, Scott said. I think that really hurt us because we know how important she is to us.

A late first-half run allowed the Aces to get back into the ball game. Evansville went to a full-court trapping zone press and forced the Salukis to commit nine first-half turnovers to cut the lead to 41-34 at the half.

The Aces were without top scorer and rebounder Shyla McKibbon. Devonne Mullis filled in, leading all scorers with 21 points.

The Salukis built a 48-38 lead early in the second half, but a strong performance by the Aces on the offensive boards kept it close.

Evansville outrebounded the Salukis 15-9 on the offensive glass.

After an Alison Langham three-point basket and steal for a layup, the Salukis’ lead was cut to one. The Aces then gained their first lead with 5:17 remaining.

But seniors Theia Hudson and Hasheider stepped up and made key plays down the stretch to ensure the win. Hasheider hit the important free throws, and Hudson forced Evansville’s Beth Voellinger to dribble the ball off her feet with the Salukis ahead 69-68 late in the game.

The key thing is obviously we’re trying to take each game one at a time, Scott said. To get a win was important, but we’ve got to fight like heck to get into the conference tournament.

The Salukis travel to Peoria to face Bradley University Thursday.