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Whitney Sykes
Whitney Sykes
 February 27, 2008

Cougars To Close Out Regular Season, Hope for Postseason Birth
           EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's basketball will close out the regular season this week at home with games against Drury and Rockhurst.
           SIUE, 16-9 overall and 9-8 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play, is currently fourth in the GLVC West Division. The playoff picture for the Cougars is unclear until this weekend's game results are in. The top three teams in each division and the teams with the next two best records advance to the league tournament.
           The fact that the Cougars post season fate comes down to this does not surprise SIUE coach Wendy Hedberg.
           "This is the GLVC. This is the way the conference is every year," she said.
           Up first is Drury. The Panthers are 23-2 overall and 15-2 in the GLVC. Drury wrapped up the best record in the GLVC and will be the odds on favorite to be the host for the GLVC Tournament semifinals and finals next weekend.
           Earlier this season, the Cougars lost a heartbreaker to the Panthers on a rare four-point play . After being fouled on a three-pointer, Molly Carter delivered the Drury 69-68 victory by sinking a free throw with two seconds left
           In that game, the Cougars had three players scoring in double figures. Amber Shelton (Edwardsville) tied for a game-high with 20 points. Whitney Sykes (Pontoon Beach) and Elyse Morris (Prophetstown) added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
           Remembering how physical their last meeting was, SIUE expects more of the same.
           "Drury is sitting No. 1 in our division right now, and we expect them to come in and play like it. They play a very physical game, and we need to adjust and be prepared," said Hedberg.
           Tip-off for Thursday's game is 5:30 pm at the Vadalabene Center.
           The Cougars will finish their regular season Saturday by hosting Rockhurst at 1 p.m.
           SIUE dispatch the Hawks 70-41 in the meeting in Kansas City, Mo., back on Jan. 10. Sykes led all scorers in that game with 18 points and seven rebounds.
           Although Rockhurst has not been able to find their groove this season, Hedberg has been around long enough to know that they still deserve every bit of respect and preparation given to any other team,
           "Rockhurst is playing to finish the season on a high note. You always have to be careful with a team like them. They can easily come in here and get a win if we are not focused," said Hedberg.
                    -siue-