EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Five players scored in double figures Saturday as SIUE's offense turned up the heat with a 91-83 victory over Tennessee State at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE's 91 points was the most during the Division I era and the most by a Cougar women's basketball team since Jan. 3, 2008, when Missouri Baptist yielded 104 points.

"These two teams just like to go at it," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. "They both like to push it, and both have playmakers who can step up. Both teams have the ability to put up a lot of points like tonight."

Gwen Adams scored a career best 26 points. Shronda Butts, the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player and Newcomer of the Week, recorded 22 points. Tierny Austin earned her second double-double of the season with 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Micah Jones and Donshel Beck added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Adams, who helped the Cougars outshoot the Tigers in the paint 42-32, shot 8 of 13 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line.

"Gwen just keeps maturing as a player," said Buscher. "She has tremendous basketball IQ and just understands the game. The biggest thing for her is that she has the ability to step out to 18 feet or behind the three-point line, which allows us to do a lot of things on the offensive end."

Adams said her team's guards provided good passes.

"I've been getting more confident in my game," added Adams. "At first I was a little passive, but coach told me to just score when I get the ball, and I've been trying to do that."

The Cougars, who improved to 3-1 in the OVC and 8-9 overall, took advantage of Tennessee State on the free throw line, converting 35 of 38 for 92.1 percent. It was the most free throws made by a Cougar team since the Missouri Baptist game in 2008.

"If you get to the line and miss your free throws, it's just like a turnover," said Buscher. "I thought it was important that we stepped up and hit free throws. Someone like Tierny may not have been great from the field, but her defense and free throws helped us get the W."

Austin hit a career-high 11 of 12 from the free throw line.

Tennessee State, now 5-9 overall and 2-1 in the OVC, finished with four players in double figures. Chelsea Hudson led the Tigers with 21 points followed by 16 from Rachel Allen, 10 from Briana Morrow, and 10 from Jayda Johnson.

SIUE shot 51 percent (26-51) from the field while Tennessee State shot 45.5 percent (30-66). The Tigers also collected 11 three-pointers.

"Coach Buscher was telling us to keep our composure and stay at it, and that's what we did as a team," said Butts.

SIUE now begins a three-game road trip over the next two weeks. The trip begins at Morehead State Thursday at 4:15 p.m. CT.