EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Raven Berry led four players in double figures Sunday as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's basketball topped Saint Louis 62-55 at the Vadalabene Center.

The Cougars improved to 2-4 with their second straight win. SLU dropped to 3-4.

"It is a turf war as we are only 20 minutes apart," said SIUE Head Coach Amanda Levens. "You want to make a statement."

SIUE made that statement by hitting all six of its free throws in the final 21 seconds to put away the Billikens. Sydney Stahlberg, Berry and Courtney Kenner hit two free throws each in the final seconds.

Freshman guard Jazmin Hill pumped in 14 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Kenner and Michaela Herrod added 10 points each off the bench.

The win showed a major improvement in just one year for the Cougars. SLU overpowered SIUE by 32 points last season at Chaifetz Arena. Sunday's game was much different.

"The last two games, this is who we are. For the first four games (this season), it was tough to watch us struggle and try to figure out who we are," Levens said. "The feeling in the huddle and with the team is a different feeling than the first four games."

The Billikens committed 25 turnovers and shot 40 percent from the field. SLU's Jacy Bradley was the team's leading scorer off the bench with 13 points. Lauren Woods and Janisha Gearlds provided 12 points each for SLU.

"It was Assistant Coach Jennifer Bradley's scout, and she did a fantastic job. The team did an excellent job of executing the game plan defensively," added Levens.

SIUE held their own on the boards despite dropping the rebounding battle by five. Against a team that was coming off a win at Indiana and was outrebounding opponents by 10 boards a game, Levens was pleased with the team's efforts.

"Our goal every game is to out-work our opponent," Levens said.

Stahlberg led SIUE with eight rebounds. Berry collected seven.

SIUE held the lead at halftime 28-27. Stahlberg put SIUE up by three with a bucket 13 seconds into the second half. Woods tied the game at 30-30 with a three-pointer with 18:24 to play. SIUE and SLU would exchange baskets one more time before SIUE took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Berry at 17:45.

The Cougars now prepare for the second half of their four-game homestand at the Vadalabene Center. SIUE entertains DePaul Friday for a 7 p.m. contest and Ball State next Sunday at 1 p.m.

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