EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. -- Whitney Sykes scored a career-high 29 points Tuesday as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville swept past Quincy 59-53 in Great Lakes Valley Conference women's basketball action.
         With the win, SIUE takes a one-half game lead in the GLVC Weste Division with an 11-5 record in league play and an 18-6 mark overall. SIUE travels to Southern Indiana for its final road contest of the regular season with tip-off set for 5:15 p.m.
         Sykes also tied her own school record for three-pointers made in a season with 70, hitting six Tuesday.
         Unlike the game earlier this season when SIUE shot better than 60 percent from the field, it was a struggle from the field, especially in the second half. SIUE hit just 33 percent in the second half but seemed to get key shots at key moments.
         Sykes' final three-pointer came with 4:50 left in the gameand put SIUE ahead by four in a moment in which it looked like Quincy might take over the lead.
         Allison Fogle's only three-pointer of the game also gave SIUE a six-point lead with 2:11 to play. All SIUE needed to do was hit key free throws down the stretch to defeat Quincy, which fell to 15-8 overall and 8-8 in the GLVC.
         SIUE picked up 11 points and seven rebounds from Amber Shelton as well as nine points and eight rebounds from Julianne McMillen.
         Jessica Keller's double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds kept Quincy within range. Janette Burgin added 10 off the bench.
                  -siue cougars-