(Owensboro, Ky.) Behind hot shooting and 10-point performances by Jill Johnson and Liz DeShasier in the first half, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's basketball entered the half with a 44-25 lead and never looked back as the team defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 63-45 in Louisville, Ky. this evening. SIUE extends its winning streak to seven straight games.
         The Cougars improved to 12-4 overall and 7-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference and have now won six consecutive conference games. SIUE shot a red-hot 70 percent (21-30) from the field in the first half with 40 of the 44 points being scored in the paint. The team went on to shoot 55.8 percent from the field while holding Kentucky Wesleyan to 27.8 percent. The Panthers fall to 4-12 overall and 1-9 in the conference.
         Jill Johnson led the team with a career-high 14 points, converting 7 of 8 from the field. Also scoring a career-high was Liz DeShasier who finished with 10 points (5-6). Misi Clark extended her consecutive double figures scoring streak to 83 with 11 points on the night. Crystal Gladson added eight points and five blocks. With the five blocks tonight, Gladson now has 106 career blocks more than any other SIUE player, men or women, in school history.
         The Cougars look to extend their win streak when they travel to Bellarmine for a conference game at 5:45 EST.
                  -siue-