Amber Shelton
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November 26, 2007
SIUE Women's Basketball Set for Season, GLVC Home Opener
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's basketball coach Wendy Hedberg is happy to be home at the Vadalabene Center for the first time this season. She just wished it wasn't against two of the top teams in the Great Lakes Valley Conference right away.
SIUE, 3-1, entertains Bellarmine Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Northern Kentucky Saturday at 1 p.m. The two games usher in the opening of the GLVC season.
"Both teams have pretty strong post play," said Hedberg.
Bellarmine has won three straight after starting the season 1-2. Northern Kentucky remains undefeated after two games.
Cougar fans also will get a chance to watch the first number retired in school history. Misi Clark, a former three-time All-American for the Cougars, will have her No. 3 jersey retired Saturday in a special ceremony during the halftime of the men's basketball game at approximately 3:30 p.m.
All-American Amber Shelton (Edwardsville) has shouldered much of the offensive burden. The senior holds a 22.8 scoring average through four games along with a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per game.
Whitney Sykes (Pontoon Beach) is tied for the GLVC lead in three-pointers made with 11. Sykes is averaging 14.0 points per game, 11th-best in the GLVC.
Hedberg said the Cougars have received some much-needed help from several players to start the season.
Freshman Lindsey Rujawitz (Edwardsville) hit the clinching free throws with 15 seconds left in overtime in SIUE's 78-74 victory over Lake Superior State.
"She stepped up huge. She was matched up on defense with some big players all weekend, and she held her own with them. Offensively, I think she's going to contribute," said Hedberg.
Transfer Brittany Imig (Joshua, Texas) also provided a key three-pointer in the Lake Superior State win. She also led the Cougars with five steals in the game.
"She's extremely quick and reads the floor very well. She was all over the place," said Hedberg.
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