RENSSELAER, IND. - After Jessica Robert missed the first three games of the season with an ankle injury, it was going to be interesting to see how she responded when returning.
         Robert pumped in 14 points off the bench and was one of four players in double figures as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated Saint Joseph's 80-71 in Great Lakes Valley Conference women's basketball action on Saturday. Robert hit three three-pointers and dished out a team-high five assists while playing 30 minutes in her season debut.
         But it was the sharpshooting of fellow senior Sarah Schweers which stole the show. Schweers led SIUE with 18 points, including four three-pointers. Tanya Guell and Amber Wisdom added 16 points each for the Cougars.
         SIUE is now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the GLVC. Saint Joseph's falls to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the GLVC.
         The Cougars led 39-30 at halftime and led by as much as 11 with 9:21 to play. Saint Joseph's rallied behind Courtney Rosenbaum and Heather Allen, whoc scored 20 and 18 points, respectively.
         Rosenbaum tied the game 67-67 on a jumper at 5:20, but it was all SIUE down the stretch. Robert nailed a three-pointer at the 3:06 on an assist by Wisdom. Then it was the free throw line which propelled the Cougars as they hit the last six of the game while the Pumas missed three shots in the final three minutes of play.
         SIUE now moves on to face defending GLVC champion Indianapolis. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday at Nicoson Hall in Indianapolis.
                           -siue cougars-