EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville took over sole possession for first place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Thursday with a decisive 96-62 triumph over Southern Indiana in women's college basketball action.
         The Cougars, 12-2 and 6-1 in the GLVC, used an outstanding 32-point effort from Amber Shelton. It was a career high for the junior from Edwardsville as she shot 10 of 13 from the field, hit a three-point and scored 11 of 12 from the free throw line.
         SIUE dominated in the first half, outdistancing the Screaming Eagles 54-29. The Cougars shot 51.4 percent from the field in the first half.
         Southern Indiana never found its footing in the second half either. Despite shooting a bit better in the second half, the Screaming Eagles were silenced by SIUE's even hotter second-half shooting of 55 percent.
         The Cougars finished with four players in double figures. Allison Fogle scored 14 points, including four of SIUE's 11 three-pointers. Whitney Sykes added 11 points behind three three-pointers. Julianne McMillen scored 10.
         Sabrina Brandon powered Southern Indiana with 14 points.
         SIUE will put its five-game winning streak on the line Saturday when it plays host to Kentucky Wesleyan. Game time is 1 p.m. at the Vadalabene Center.
                  -siue cougars-