EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is off to its fastest start ever at 6-0 after a 61-57 victory over UW-Parkside Thursday at the Vadalabene Center.
         Whitney Sykes hit six free throws and Allison Fogle added two, all in the final minute of the game, as SIUE improved to 3-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. UW-Parkside fell to 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the GLVC.
         Sykes led the Cougars in scoring with 18 points thanks to eight free throws. Fogle lifted SIUE off the bench with five three-pointers and two free throws for 17 points.
         Amber Shelton, the GLVC's Player of the Week, added 12 points and five rebounds.
         SIUE jumped out to a 30-25 lead at halftime behind 46 percent shooting. Fogle sparked the Cougars off the bench with three three-pointers, the last of which caused UWP Coach Jenny Kenesie to call a first-half timeout.
         The Cougars struggled a bit from the field in the second half with 8-of-24 shooting while UWP rebounded for 48 percent shooting in the half. UWP tied the game 50-50 with 7:10 left to play as Ashley Ferguson nailed a three-pointer. Ferguson led the Rangers with 25 points, including four three-pointers.
         Sykes put SIUE ahead for good with 4:03 to play on a 14 footer. Julianne McMillen hit the back end of a two-shot foul with 1:30 to play, and the Cougars would get their final eight points from free throws.
         SIUE returns to action Saturday with a 1 p.m. matchup against Lewis at the Vadalabene Center.
                  -siue cougars-