Calvin Sykes scored a game-high 15 points as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated Saint Joseph's 71-42 in a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup Saturday.
         SIUE improves to 12-9 overall and 8-7 in GLVC play. Saint Joseph's, who came into the contest having won its previous three contests, fell to 11-11 overall and 7-8 in the GLVC.
         The Cougars, who have won three straight, led the entire contest and shot 48.2 percent from the floor. Saint Joseph's shot only 27.1 percent.
         Saint Joseph's could not find its rhythm in the first half, netting only five field goals. SIUE connected on 15 of 30 from the field and took a 35-18 advantage into the locker room.
         It was much of the same in the second half, as the Cougars opened a 32-point lead at one point on a fast-break dunk from Tyler Hackstadt. Saint Joseph's still could not find its shooting touch as it went 8 of 26 in the second half.
         Joel Jaye scored 12 for the Cougars and Dan Heimos and Andre Thomas each chipped in 10. Hackstadt posted a career-high eight assists.
         Jamie Holden led Saint Joseph's with 10 points. Greg Muller followed with seven.
         SIUE will now take to the road for a Thursday matchup at Northern Kentucky. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
                -siue cougars-