KANSAS CITY, MO. -- Senior Julianne McMillen scored 16 points to help lift Southern Illinois University Edwardsville over Rockhurst 65-59 Saturday at Mason-Halpin Field House.
         The Cougars moved back into a tie for first place with Drury in the Great Lakes Valley Conference West Division as Quincy defeated Drury 60-55. SIUE improved to 17-6 overall and 10-5 in the GLVC.
         SIUE led from start to finish against Rockhurst, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game.
         Julianne McMillen led SIUE with 16 points and nine rebounds. Her 7-of-10 shooting lifted the Cougars. SIUE struggled from the field in the first half, hitting 35 percent from the field and just 2 of 12 from three-point range.
         Still, SIUE led at halftime 31-26.
         Amber Shelton and Whitney Sykes added 15 points each as shooting drastically improved in the second half with the Cougars connecting on 52 percent of their shots.
         Rockhurst played catch-up for most of the game and shot much better than SIUE from the field with 47 percent for the game. The Hawks, however, turned the ball over 16 times to SIUE's nine. SIUE scored 17 points off Rockhurst turnovers.
         Courtney Farmer posted big numbers for Rcokhurst with 18 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and five blocks.
         SIUE now returns home for three of its final four games at the Vadalabene Center. It begins Tuesday with a GLVC matchup against Quincy.
                  -siue cougars-