EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE women's basketball Head Coach Paula Buscher has signed two players for next season to National Letters of Intent.

Gwen Adams (Ferguson, Mo./Incarnate Word High School) and Erin Kelley (Pontiac, Ill./Parkland Community College) will join the Cougars next season.

Buscher said the two newcomers will provide added dimensions for the Cougars.

"Gwen comes from an extremely successful program at Incarnate Word," Buscher said. "She has very good basketball IQ and is willing to do whatever it takes to make her team better. Gwen is a physical post player who can score and has great vision for her teammates. Coming in from Coach Dan Rolfe's program, she will adjust to the college game very quickly."

Adams, a 5-foot, 11-inch forward, twice earned second team All-Conference at Incarnate Word. She helped lead the Red Knights to a state championship last season.

"Gwen is a true post player who can play with her back to the basket," said Buscher. "Offensively and defensively, she is not afraid to get out on the perimeter and play. She comes from a great high school program and knows how to win."

Kelley, a 5-8 guard, will have two years of eligibility with the Cougars after spending two seasons at Parkland College. Last season, she averaged 9.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

"Erin is a perimeter player with a motor that runs all the time," said Buscher. "She is a sharp-shooter with great range. Erin not only can shoot the three but also can attack the basket and will be one of those players that fans enjoy watching because she will play extremely hard on both ends of the court."

Kelley broke the Pontiac Township High School career record for three-pointers. She was the team's Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Defensive Player her senior season while earning All-Conference honors twice.

SIUE continues its 2013-14 schedule tomorrow with a 4 p.m. home contest against Kansas City.