OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- Shawnee State women's basketball junior guard Miyoshi Ellis poured in a career-high 24 points and enjoyed a 10-of-14 shooting mark from the field, but the Bears weren't able to maintain a 55-51 third quarter advantage and ultimately fell to homestanding Oakland City (Ind.), 55-51, in a battle between the last two unbeaten River States Conference opponents Saturday evening in Oakland City, Ind.

Shawnee State (13-4, 5-1 River States Conference) outrebounded Oakland City (11-6, 6-0 River States Conference) by a plus-nine margin, 37-28, on the glass and forced 26 turnovers through collecting 15 steals as a team, but SSU collected just six assists as a team and were forced into 23 turnovers in the 12-point setback.

Ellis, who played 33 minutes in the contest, posted 14 of her 24 tallies in the second half of play. The New York native was especially critical during the third quarter -- going on a personal 9-1 run over a span of 2:05 to turn a 43-41 deficit into a 50-44 Shawnee State lead with 2:31 to play in the third quarter.

When Oakland City cut the gap to 53-51 with time winding down in the third frame, Ellis drew contact and hit a pair of free throws with eight seconds left -- giving the junior 11 points for the quarter and putting the Bears ahead by a 55-51 margin at the end of the third frame of action.

Unfortunately, Shawnee State tallied just one assist and went 3-of-15 from the field in the fourth quarter -- while Oakland City posted five assists on its six made baskets, going 6-of-10 from the field, to rally.

Cianna Gloster added in 16 rebounds, eight points and six steals for the Bears while Sanaya Gregory and Lauren Hawthorne each scored seven points, with the latter duo combining to go 6-of-13 from the field.

Shawnee State will turn its attention to its final nonconference contest of the regular season when the women's basketball program travels to Louisville, Ky. to take on Simmons. The road contest will commence at 5 p.m.