EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - J.B. Jones' 16 points led five Cougars in double figures as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 73-61 on Tuesday night at the Vadalabene Center.

         The Cougars improve to 5-3 overall on the season as the Panthers fall to 3-5 on the year. The two teams played a non-conference game for the first time since the 1994-1995 season. SIUE and KWC will meet in their only Great Lakes Valley Conference contest on Jan. 12 in Owensboro, Ky.
         The Cougars trailed 18-15 with 8:20 to go in the first half. SIUE then went on a 17-9 run over the next 6:45 to lead by five, and the Cougars held a two-point lead at the half.
         A three-pointer by KWC's Tyson Martin capped a 14-5 run by the Panthers to start the second half as they led 44-37 with 16:20 left. The Cougars would battle back going on a 18-6 run over 8:45 as Justin Ward's jumper gave SIUE a 59-50 advantage with 7:45 to go. The Cougars made 7 of 8 free throws in the final 1:52 to seal the win.
         J.B. Jones was 7 for 16 from the field, adding five rebounds and four assists. Ty Johnsonadded 14 points going 5 of 5 from the free throw line. Mike Hardiek notched 13 points, and Justin Ward chipped in 11. Ryan Belcher scored 10 points with a career-high seven rebounds.
         SIUE shot 41.4 percent (24-58) from the field and 22.2 percent (4-18) from beyond the three-point arc committing nine turnovers in the game.
         The Panthers made 50 percent of their three-pointers (9-18) and shot 44.7 percent (21-47) from the field but committed 22 turnovers.
         Dewayne Rogers led KWC with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting and 4 of 5 from beyond the three-point line.
         The Cougars will be back in action on Dec. 29 as they face Mesa State at 7:30 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center. SIUE also caps 2005 with a game against Sawginaw Valley State on Dec. 31. Saginaw Valley and Mesa State play at SIUE on Dec. 30.
                  -siue cougars-
 
J.B. Jones