(EVANSVILLE, Ind.) Trailing by as many as 12 points in the second half, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's basketball team rallied to beat Indianapolis 59-58 in the first quarterfinal game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Roberts Stadium in Evansville, Ind. this afternoon.
         The Cougars, who have been knocked out in the quarterfinals the previous two years, trailed 33-29 going in the half. SIUE came out slow in the second half, not converting a field goal for the first six minutes and thirty seconds of the ball game, and eventually trailed by 12 points. The Cougars battled back behind the scoring of Misi Clark and Jessica Robert. Clark rebounded her own missed free throw with about seven minutes left and scored to finish a four-point play to bring the Cougars within three points. Robert hit a clutch three-pointer with 6:15 remaining to tie the Greyhounds 49-49. SIUE's first lead came with 2:40 left on a five-foot shot from Sarah Cook, which made the score 53-52. Sarah Larson converted one of her free throws to make the lead 54-52 but the Greyhounds answered with a three-point basket by Lara Schmalstig with 1:07 on the clock. A layup with 51 seconds remaining by Clark put the Cougars ahead for good 56-55. Clark added a free throw to make the lead 57-55. Megan Grizzle was fouled with six seconds remaining and hit both free throws to seal the win, despite a three-point basket by Indianapolis at the buzzer.
         Clark led the team with a game-high 19 points while also grabbing nine rebounds. Robert finished with 12 points, including two three-point baskets. Cook contributed with 10 points and five rebounds. Grizzle and Larson each finished with six points off the bench.
         Indianapolis, 14-13 overall, had two players finish with double doubles. Emily Hammes finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Elizabeth Ramsey added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
         With the win, the Cougars, 20-7 overall, advanced to the semifinals on Friday. They play the winner of the Northern Kentucky-Quincy game scheduled for 8:30 p.m. tonight.
                 -siue-