EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Amber Shelton scored a career-high 29 points Friday as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated Wayne State 84-68 at the Vadalabene Center.
         SIUE improved to 8-2 and will face Ferris State Saturday at 3 p.m. Ferris State, 8-3, defeated Southern Indiana 71-55 in the opening game of the day.
         Shelton was 11 of 18 from the field, adding six rebounds and six assists.
         As a team, SIUE made its first 9 of 11 shots in the game and then cooled off in the first half, holding off the Warriors for a 39-34 lead at halftime.
         The Warriors were down by double digits for the early portion of the second half but then cut the lead to five at 69-64 with 4:26 to play. It was close as Wayne State would get in the second half. SIUE shot 62.5 percent (15 of 24) in the second half.
         SIUE used sharpshooting and great free throw shooting down the stretch to finish with a 15-4 run.
         Whitney Sykes pulled within three three-pointers of No. 2 on the all-time three-pointers list with two more. She scored a season-high 21 points and has scored double digits in the first 10 games of the season.
         Elyse Morris was sharp, penetrating the Warrior defense for 16 points and five assists.
         Wayne State point guard Joy Nash led the Warriors with 19 points. Monique George posted a double-double off the bench for 12 points and 10 rebounds.
                  -siue cougars-