For the first time since it joined the Great Lakes Valley Conference, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has defeated Northern Kentucky.
         Ron Jones scored a team-high 21 points, including 10 of 10 from the free-throw line, as SIUE (9-7, 5-5 GLVC) rolled to a 81-75 win over Northern Kentucky Saturday at the Vadalabene Center.
         NKU (11-8, 4-5) had won the previous 15 meeting between the two teams, but shot just 36.4 percent from the floor, which included a 27.6 percent first-half performance.
         Meanwhile, SIUE shot a sizzling 50 percent from the field, including 5 of 9 from three-point range, to steal the victory.
         SIUE scored the first six points of the game and did not allow an NKU field goal until the 16:32 mark in the first half. The Cougars led by as much as 17 in the first half and took a 38-25 lead into the break.
         But SIUE foul trouble and some clutch threes gave NKU a chance in the final minute. Steve Purdon hit two three's in a span of seven seconds late in the game to pull NKU within five. After two missed free-throws by SIUE, Jordon Stowers hit a three to move the deficit to two.
         NKU kept fouling, but SIUE kept hitting the free throws. Jones hit six consecutive from the charity strip in the final 20 seconds to clinch the victory. SIUE scored its last 11 points on free throws.
         Calvin Sykes tied a career high with 18 points and grabbed seven board and dished out eight assists. Joel Jaye posted 10 points and also grabbed seven rebounds.
         It was the final game in the Vadalabene Center for NKU coach Ken Shields, who is retiring after 16 seasons at the helm of the Norse.
         SIUE will now take to the road to face Kentucky Wesleyan and Southern Indiana.
                -siue cougars-