Ruth Kipping hit a three-footer with 1.8 seconds left as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville topped Kentucky Wesleyan College 68-66 Monday night at the Vadalabene Center.
         SIUE has now won three straight and improved its record to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Kentucky Wesleyan fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the GLVC.
         The Cougars dominated play early taking a 14-point lead in the first half. Kentucky Wesleyan came back to cut the deficit to 33-29 at halftime.
         The Panthers surged ahead in the second half and took at seven-point lead with 4:43 to play as Leslie Warren hit the front end of a two-shot free throw.
         SIUE slowly clawed back with free throws and was behind by just two points at 62-60 as Heather Hillebrenner scored a three-pointer at 2:58.
         The two teams exchanged leads 10 times during the game. The biggest was with just 1.8 seconds left as Kipping dribbled the baseline and hit a jumper. KWC's final shot by Warren missed.
         Kipping finished the game with her second double-double of the season. She had 28 points and 14 rebounds. Warren led the offense for KWC with 22 points.
         SIUE's next action is Thursday against rival Missouri-St. Louis. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at the Mark Twain Building in St. Louis.
                  -siue cougars-