MARTIN, Tenn. - UT Martin scored four free throws in the final minute Monday in a 73-70 women's basketball victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Four Cougars scored in double figures led by Jenny Wuest (Madison, Wis.) with 14 points and eight rebounds. Jessie Stapleton (Chillicothe) scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Brittany Imig (Joshua, Texas) added 11 points, and Ashley Bey (Chicago) put in 12 points.

"We played hard for 35 minutes. In the last five minutes, we didn't box out," Coach Amanda Levens said.

SIUE and UTM tied the score seven times in the first 20 minutes of play. After a three-pointer by SIUE's Madison Meade, SIUE went up by six points with 40 seconds to play in the first half. UTM's Alison Wright hit one free throw with 30 seconds left as SIUE went into the locker room at halftime with a 34-29 lead.

         Despite shooting 65 percent in the first half, UT Martin found itself behind the Cougars. The Skyhawks then cooled SIUE's shooting to just 7 of 22 from the field in the second half.

         UTM's Yalonda Davis led all scorers with 17 points off the bench. Phyllisha Mitchell added 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Skyhawks.

         The Cougars held the lead with 1:04 to play when Bey hit two of her 10 free throws for the game to SIUE up 70-69. SIUE fouls put UTM's Davis and Sienna Forney on the line for four successful free throws in the final minute of the game.

"We had good shots. They unfortunately didn't fall for us," Levens said. "We can't dwell on the loss. We have to get ready for the next one."

The Cougars will continue on the road Wednesday in Milwaukee, Wis., against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Klotsche Center.

Jenny Wuest