Southern Illinois University
vs. Winthrop (Navy Tourn.)
Women's Basketball Falls to Winthrop, 72-65
12/19/2001 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2001
Annapolis, Md. - Senior Charlotta Wennefors scored 23 points to lead Winthrop University (2-6) to a 72-65 win over Southern Illinois (4-4) Wednesday in day one of the Navy Classic.
The Winthrop win snapped SIU's two-game winning streak after the Salukis hadn't played for 11 days.
SIU had much difficulty in finding the basket throughout the first half as the Salukis mustered just 21 points. As a result of their poor shooting, the Salukis missed 26 shots which led to a disappointing 21 percent (7-of-33) from the field.
Southern Illinois led one time in the entire game when Geshla Woodard put the Dawgs ahead 2-0 on a layup just 59 seconds into the first half. Following Woodard's bucket, Winthrop went on a 14-2 run sparked by Anne Hollensen's five points to take a 14-4 lead with 11:46 remaining.
Trailing by 10, the Salukis answered with a 8-2 run which narrowed the margin to four (16-12) with 9:30 left to play. A Holly Teague three-pointer, another bucket by Woodard and a three-point play by Tiffany Crutcher built the stretch that lasted 2:16.
Not at all bothered by the Saluki threat, Winthrop then went on a 24-5 run to take a commanding 40-17 lead with 3:21 left to play. During the route, the Eagles held the Salukis scoreless for 4:30 as Laura Herman caught fire scoring nine points to pace the attack. Shocked by the Winthrop charge, SIU could only come up with a pair of Hillary Phillips free throws as the half came to a 43-21 close in favor of the Eagles.
Winthrop's inside game dominated SIU in the paint where it held a 18-4 advantage. The Eagles also converted eight SIU turnovers into 10 points which added to a hot 48 percent (14-of-29) effort from the field.
In what appeared as if SIU was in serious trouble when Winthrop proceeded to build its biggest lead of the game to 55-27 with 15:32 to play in the second half, the Salukis suddenly came alive with a 24-4 run which cut the Eagle lead to eight points (59-51) with 7:35 remaining. Woodard, Molly McDowell and Jodi Heiden each scored six points during the attack which was capped off by a Phillips three-pointer.
Still fighting, Southern Illinois pulled to within four points on two occasions with the last being 69-65 when McDowell connected from behind the arc with 16 seconds left, but Winthrop fought off the late rally with 3-of-4 free throws in the last 15 seconds to hang on to the 72-65 win.
Wennefors shot 6-of-13 from the field which included a perfect 3-of-3 three-pointers to lead all Winthrop scorers. Janette Arrington also pitched in 15 points to help pace the Eagles.
The Salukis were led by Woodard and Heiden who each netted 16 points. Woodard shot 8-of-20 from the field, while Heiden connected on 6-of-11. Teague (11) and McDowell (10) also posted double figures for SIU.
SIU will face Maryland Eastern Shore in the consolation game tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
Notes: Winthrop held SIU scoreless for 4:18 or more on four occasions throughout the first half, After shooting just 21 percent (7-of-33) in the first half, the Salukis regrouped to shoot 41 percent (15-of-37) in the second half, Molly McDowell shot an ice cold 0-of-7 from the field in the first half despite posting 10 points in the game, McDowell's quiet 10-point effort marked the seventh straight game she has scored in double figures, SIU scored 18 second chance points which outweighed Winthrop's three, The Salukis also out-maneuvered the Eagles 10-8 on fast break points, Winthrop hit 23-of-29 free throws to SIU's 17-of-27, The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Salukis, Geshla Woodard's 16 points marked a career high surpassing her previous mark of 15 points which was done earlier this year against Saint Louis (11/19).
